Giving the list of feminine traits, hobbies and interests one last cursory glance, and picking out the tidbit that best reflected Nicole, he sauntered up to the gathering and interrupted her little soirée. The three men hoping to claim Nicole as their partner didnt look happy to have yet another rival in their midst.
He made a place for himself next to Nicole and his arm brushed hers, making his presence known. Mind if I join your group? he asked her specifically, knowing the company she was currently keeping would object if they could.
She gave him a slow once-over and bestowed one of those dazzling smiles of hers on him, but there was nothing in her expression that gave away the fact that they knew each other. Not at all. The more the merrier. She held out her hand for him to shake. Im Nicole Britton.
He slipped his hand into hers, savoring the soft, supple feel of her flesh against his rougher fingertips. He inhaled deeply, and the ripe, luscious scent of apricots assailed him. Despite having enjoyed a small feast from the buffet earlier, his stomach growled hungrily, but his sudden appetite had nothing to do with food and everything to do with her. She smelled good enough to eat, every bare inch of her, and he couldnt help wondering if her skin tasted as sweet and tempting as the fragrance teasing his senses.
He wanted to find out. Seduction and surrender played tug-of-war between their clasped hands and their clashing gazes. Nothing new there as far as the two of them and their attraction went. A lazy smile edged the corner of his mouth, and she watched his lips with a combination of fascination and guardedness. Her reticence made him even more determined to take this opportunity away from the real world, free from familial expectations, to explore what was between them.
His blood pumped heavily in his veins, and if the subtle way she tried to finagle her hand back from his grasp was any indication, she was just as affected by their silent, sensual exchange. And that was enough for him. For now.
Finally, he released her hand and introduced himself, shattering that breathless spell that had held them both momentarily immobile. Mitch Lassiter, he returned, following her lead in keeping their association anonymous. Has anyone figured out which bit of personal information is yours?
Not yet. She tossed her head back in an attempt to restore her composure, and ticked off the failed guesses so far on her fingers. Ive been pegged as a model, someone thought I loved to travel abroad, and another person believed that Ive jumped out of a cake for someones bachelor party.
She grinned at the three other men, seemingly enjoying the fact that shed stumped all of them. Cant say Ive ever done any of those things, but the last suggestion certainly sounds like a whole lot of fun.
And being the unabashed woman she was, it wasnt hard for Mitch to visualize her as a bachelors fantasy, dressed in something skimpy that would show off her sinuous body. The only problem was, Mitch wanted it to be his fantasy she fulfilled. Care if I take a guess of my own?
She turned toward him, initially surprised by his question. Then she shrugged and an impudent light in her eyes replaced her hesitation. Go right ahead. Give it your best shot.
Clearly, she didnt think him capable of nailing her contribution to the list of personal information he held in his hand. While he had no idea if his guess was accurate, it suited her competitive, athletic nature the best. Youve tried out for the womens Olympic swim team.
Her mouth opened, then promptly closed. Hed stunned her into speechlessness, which was a first between them. While he would have loved to rib her over that, he kept to their pretense of being strangers in front of their audience. The last thing he wanted to do was get them disqualified before theyd even had a chance to compete together.
Wow, she breathed, her tone awed. Youre very good.
So Ive been told, he drawled, winking at her.
She sent her admirers a quick grin. It looks like this is the guy for me. If youll excuse us, Id like to get to know Mr. Lassiter better.
The other men conceded defeat and broke apart to find other potential partners. The band leader announced that theyd be taking a break and that Merrilee would be arriving in a few moments to greet everyone and go over a few last-minute rules for the upcoming competition. The man encouraged guests to take advantage of the dessert buffet and open bar, and when Nicole did just that, drifting toward the table laden with various sweets and confections, Mitch followed, noticing her rare bout of quietness.
Nicole cast him a surreptitious glance as she picked up a small plate then selected a puff pastry with cream filling, drizzled with chocolate icing. How did you know? she asked, her tone so soft he almost didnt hear her question.
He tipped his head, not sure what she was asking. How did I know what?
That I tried out for the womens Olympic swim team. She concentrated on choosing another dessert, this time opting for a small brownie square layered with caramel. Trying out for the U.S. team was something that happened before our mothers met and became friends. Unless my mother mentioned it to Joyce, and she mentioned it to you.
There was something in her voice he couldnt quite decipher, something between hesitancy and insecurity, and he found it interesting that she wouldnt meet his gaze. No, my mother never said a word, which means I doubt she knows anything about you trying out for the team. It was an educated guess, based on what I know about you. Youre into sports and very athletic, so it seemed like a logical assumption.
Like I said, youre very good, and intuitive. She licked a smudge of caramel from her thumb, her tongue slowly removing the sticky sweetness in a way that ignited a smoldering heat in Mitchs belly.
He wanted to know more, wanted to discover as much as he could about this complex woman and what made her tick. Including her drive and ambitions. But this slip of paper doesnt say whether or not you made the team.
She visibly tensed at his comment and took her time savoring a bite of the pastry. I never expected anyone to guess that information about me. Her reply was flippant, and very ambiguous.
Its your own fault for putting that interesting tidbit out there for speculation, he argued lightly as he snagged a small lemon cheesecake square from the dessert table. I guessed correctly, fair and square, so I think you owe me an answer. He bit into the sweet-tart confection and waited patiently for her reply.
Her chin lifted stubbornly, defiantly, in a way that was, no doubt, meant to waylay him. Why are you being so persistent about this?
He popped the last of his dessert into his mouth and chewed, not at all daunted by her terse tone. Now that you and I are pairing up as a couple, I want to get to know you better.
The look she shot him brimmed with skepticism. Why?
His gaze swept the area, taking in the other couples laughing and conversing with each other. Isnt that the purpose of this singles mixer?
Maybe for those who honestly want to get to know one another.
And if I honestly do? he asked, his voice low and sincere, snaring her attention. He stared into her wide, searching eyes, letting his intentions toward her, his honest interest, dangle between them for a few consuming seconds. Its a simple question, Nicole. Yes or no would cover it just fine.
Her straight teeth tugged on her lower lip, scraping off a crumb of chocolate. How about yes and no?
He chuckled and shook his head, not at all surprised by her answer that wasnt an answer at all. How about youre being deliberately evasive?
With a sigh she glanced away, making a production of setting her empty plate at the end of the buffet table. The flickering flames of a nearby torch illuminated the delicate lines of her profile, accentuating her natural beauty and making her suddenly appear vulnerable, which was a novel concept with Nicole.
Contradicting that too-brief glimpse of vulnerability hed witnessed, she boldly found his gaze again. I did make the team, she revealed, sounding proud of that fact. But a week after qualifying, I shattered my wrist in a car accident. The healing process was excruciating and physical therapy took months. By the time I was ready to return to the team Id been replaced.
Ahh, a fleeting victory that had been double-edged and bittersweet, he realized. Her regret was palpable, and he ached to reach out and offer a bit of comfort for what shed lost. He gave in to the urge. With infinite gentleness he brushed back a few strands of hair that wisped along her silken cheek. His knuckles caressed her warm, smooth skin, and her breath hitched on a startled gasp, as if she wasnt used to such tenderness, as if letting someone get that close emotionally went against that tough facade of hers.
He was beginning to see traces of a much softer side. Despite her reserve with him, despite her sassy mouth, she was in need of a whole lot of tenderness, and touching, and the kind of understanding and acceptance that came without expectations.
And he wanted to give it to her.
Im sorry, he murmured, letting his fingers drift along her jaw before falling away. That must have been rough.
She visibly shook off the melancholy that had overcome her. Definitely disappointing. For me, and especially my father who had high hopes of me winning a medal. The smile that found its way to her lips did nothing to chase away the lingering sadness glimmering in the depths of her smoky green eyes.
Shed had high hopes, too, he realized. And he couldnt help but wonder how much of that longing of hers had to do with capturing a medal for herself, or pleasing her father. Before he could pose the question to find out, their host and the owner of Fantasies, Inc. arrived at the singles mixer. Stepping up to the microphone, Merrilee smiled engagingly and greeted her guests.
Good evening, everyone. A gradual hush fell over the crowd as she spoke, and all eyes trained on her. While Merrilee appeared to be in her mid-fifties, she was still a very attractive woman, with rich brown hair softened by gray highlights and kind green eyes that seemed very worldly and wise.
Welcome to Wild Fantasy, where anything goes and anything is possible, she said once she had everyones attention. We have a whole lot of adventurous games and events planned on the island, as well as fantasies to fulfill, so let that phrase be your guide for the week.
Mitch silently accepted and agreed with Ms. Westons philosophyespecially where Nicole was concerned.
Tomorrow, the competitions begin. Excitement laced Merrilees refined voice. Just to remind all of you of the rules and guidelines of this charity event, once youve chosen a partner by the end of tonights festivities, youll be paired up with that person for the duration of the week. If you or your team member at any time decides to part ways because of personal differences, or if either of you chooses to decline any of the competitions or events, you both forfeit your place in the contest.
The strict rule made perfect sense to Mitch and no doubt kept discord to a minimum. It also forced couples to work through problems and differences. In other words, they had to compromise, an ability that was essential to any good, solid relationship.
He glanced at Nicole as Merrilee reiterated a few other basic guidelines, saw his partners intense expression, and knew on a gut level she wouldnt break or bend any of those rules. Shed compromise with him and find some kind of common ground rather than relinquish the contest and prize money. Her perseverance was a strong trait that would work to their advantage.
In a few days, by process of elimination based on scores, the teams will be narrowed down to the top seven finalists, Merrilee continued. From there, the final round of competition will begin. This event will be much more difficult in execution and will require contestants to use mental and physical strategies to ultimately win one of the top three monetary prizes.
She paused for a moment, her gaze scanning the faces in the crowd in front of her. But regardless of where you place in this contest, I want everyone to have a good time this week. And now that the band is returning from their break, you can enjoy the rest of the evening, find a partner for the contest and dance the night away.
Nicole watched the other woman step down from the platform and mingle with her guests and took a few extra seconds to shore up her defenses against the man standing beside herespecially after the way shed opened up and spilled one of her biggest personal disappointments to him. Shed never shared that story with anyone.
What in the world had come over her? Shed learned at a very early age to keep her feelings under wraps in order to keep her fathers criticism from stinging and her own strength and determination intact. Shed managed the feat successfully through her teenage and adult years, and even through her disastrous breakup with Jonathan. Yet Mitch, with his caring, dark brown eyes and startling tenderness, had managed to stir a deep yearning that threatened all the barricades shed erected around her emotions. She could feel them crumbling, making room for more of that rare understanding and acceptance hed offered. And that wouldnt do at all. Because, ultimately, her surrender would cost her what she shed worked so hard for and treasured the most: her independence.
Are you ready to head over to the sign-up table?
The rich, deep timbre of Mitchs voice penetrated her thoughts, reaching past the loud buzz of rejuvenated conversation swirling around them. She chanced looking at him and her stomach did a little somersault at how tall, gorgeous and overwhelmingly male he was. Desire unfurled within her, a languorous kind of heat that slowly seeped through her veins and made her weak in the knees.
She wasnt ready to make a weeklong commitment to Mitch right then, even if it was all for fun and games. She desperately needed a bit more time to regain control between them before she relinquished even a small piece of her freedom for the sake of the charity contest.
Not quite yet, she replied, and tossed a frivolous smile his way. If Im going to be shackled to you for an entire week as my partner I want to make sure youre qualified and competent.
His dark brows winged upward in surprise. And what, exactly, do you have in mind to find out if I meet your standards?
She thought for a moment and came up with the ideal way to test his skills, a match she was certain to win, which would put her back in charge mentally, emotionally and physically. A game of darts in the lounge ought to give me a good indication of just how capable you are.
She turned to leave the mixer and head down the pathway leading to the lounge near the hotel, but before she could take her second step Mitch caught her arm and stopped her. His hold slipped lower, and the fingers encircling her wrist branded her, spreading a fiery, alluring warmth across her skin. His bold gaze beckoned to feminine instincts and she shivered, wondering how one man could have such a potent affect on her senses.