Every time he hosted this fundraiser, he met new people. But few of them fascinated him the way Darci Lake did. She was down-to-earth, unaffected, and he liked her ability to laugh at herself.
She swirled the wine in her oversize glass, checking the color and viscosity as hed told her. Then she leaned down and inhaled.
Sharper, she said with a wrinkle of her pert nose.
She was distractingly beautiful, with thick, shoulder-length auburn hair. He guessed she was about five feet six. She was slender, with wonderfully rounded breasts, long legs and delicate hands. Her lips were full, her lashes long and her wide eyes were a startling shade of crystalline green. He could barely keep himself from staring at them.
She took a sip.
Then she nodded decisively. Sharper. I prefer the cab sauv. Definitely.
Welcome to the dark side.
Worry flashed through her expression. Is there something wrong with liking cabernet sauvignon? Am I a bohemian?
You have excellent taste in wine.
Are you just saying that?
You like what I like. He replaced her shiraz with a fresh glass of the cab sauv.
She glanced around the tabletop. Weve made a mess.
Its not so bad.
You were going to bring people down here for the tasting.
The staff will clear things up in time.
He checked his watch, knowing he was cutting it pretty tight. For a moment, he considered canceling the tasting, coming up with an excuse to keep everyone else upstairs while he stayed here with Darci.
He gave a silent thank-you to Justin for talking him out of bringing a date tonight. If he played his cards right, perhaps his perfect streak of getting lucky at the search-and-rescue fundraiser would continue. There were hours to go before it ended, and the DJ was about to get things rolling on the dance floor.
Making the decision, he lifted his own wineglass and rose to his feet. Lets take this with us.
Sure. She followed his lead. Where are we going?
The dancings about to start. You want to dance?
The question seemed to throw her. With you?
Sure, with me. Why not?
She seemed to scramble. Uh, you have so many other guests. And you havent hosted the real wine tasting yet.
He leaned across the table to take her hand. My cousin Maddie will do the other wine tasting. Ive had enough for now.
He kept hold of her hand as they cleared the table and moved through the wine cellar, to the door and out into the hallway.
Are you going to lock it? she asked.
No need. The sommelier will be down in a few minutes.
You have a sommelier?
Doesnt everyone?
Her steps faltered, and he realized the joke made him sound like a pretentious jerk.
Im sorry, he said, stopping them both.
She tipped up her chin to look at him. Nothing to be sorry about.
Im not a spoiled brat. The mansion is purposely equipped for this kind of entertaining. But its not my regular life.
But a remoteness had entered her eyes. Your family has a lot of money. Thats just the way it is.
I dont lord it over people, Darci.
You dont owe me an explanation.
Youre angry.
She looked away. Im really not.
But something had changed. He could tell.
Will you dance with me? he asked.
She compressed her lips.
Please dance with me.
Voices traveled down the hall. Shane recognized the accent. The sommelier and his staff were on their way.
She blinked, and whatever had altered her expression was gone. Okay, she said. One dance.
He impulsively put an arm around her, his fingertips brushing her shoulder as they resumed walking.
The sommelier, Julien Duval, appeared in the hallway. Mr. Colborn, sir.
Theres some cleanup needed in the cellar, he told Julien.
Right away, sir. Youll be joining us?
Not this time. Can you find Madeline and ask her to stand in?
Of course.
Thank you, Julien.
Shane followed Darci up the staircase. Her sparkling gold silk dress dipped to a low vee at the back, giving him a marvelous view. It outlined her trim figure and clung enticingly to her backside. He was sorry when they got to the top of the stairs.
He touched his hand to the small of her back, guiding her through the hall to the great room, where the music was already playing. People greeted him constantly, and he gave them each a casual hello but kept steadily moving. The music enveloped the two of them as they passed through the archway.
He ditched their wineglasses and led her onto the dance floor. There, he turned her into his arms.
The silk of her dress was supple and warm. Her hand was small in his. And their thighs brushed enticingly with the rhythm of the music.
Theyd barely begun, and the song ended.
That doesnt count, he rumbled in her ear.
Are you making up the rules? There was a smile in her voice.
He drew back to gaze at her. My house, my rules.
Happily, the next song was also a waltz. If hed known he was going to meet Darci tonight, hed have vetted the DJs entire playlist.
Youre an autocrat? she asked.
Rarely.
She settled back into his arms, smoothly following his lead. At Colborn Aerospace. Are you in charge of everything?
Technically, yes.
Are you a tyrannical boss?
He couldnt help but smile at that. Id say no. But probably every tyrannical boss in the world would tell you no, so youll have to ask my staff.
Her glance darted around the dance floor. Are any of them here?
A few of the senior managers. You want me to introduce you?
No. Her answer was quick and decisive.
You dont want to ask them about me?
I dont care that much.
Okay.
Im making up my own mind.
He wanted that, he realized. He really wanted this woman to have a chance to make up her own mind about him. He found himself gathering her closer.
She resisted at first, going stiff in his arms.
But he persisted, and she eventually relaxed again. Her body softened against his, her curves molding to his angles. He drew their joined hands in close to their bodies, shifting his other palm higher, to the bare skin of her back. Their movements synced, and he couldnt seem to keep his mind from wandering to a happy conclusion.
He wanted Darci Lake, wanted her very badly. He brought his cheek to her hair, inhaling a subtle scent of citrus. Her breasts had come up against his chest. Their thighs were touching, shifting together with every beat.
He gave in to temptation and kissed her hairline, whispering close to her ear. I want you to stay tonight.
She drew back in a shot, her striking green eyes blinking. She looked truly horrified, and he could have kicked himself.
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