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“It would seem so.”

The music began to change to a slower-paced ballad, and couples started pairing off around them. Before she could make an excuse to leave the dance floor, Sorin said lazily, “Don’t look now, but your favorite suitor is on his way over. Apparently your beloved Cassius failed.”

“What?” Scarlett started, sloshing wine out of her glass. She turned to see Mikale heading in her direction.

Sorin laughed under his breath. “Easy, Monrhoe. Do not waste such sweet delicacies.”

“Shut up, you ass,” Scarlett hissed, panic setting in. If Mikale asked her to dance, she could not refuse him. He would cause a ridiculous scene and draw attention to them.Shit, shit, shit.The crowd was thick and slowing his advance, but he’d be here within the minute.

“I could dance with you, you know,” Sorin mused, twirling the stem of his wine glass between his fingers.

“Then why aren’t you?” Scarlett hissed.

“You have not asked,” Sorin answered simply.

“Dance with me,” Scarlett said through gritted teeth.

“No please?” Sorin asked, a grin spreading across his face.

Scarlett glared at him. Mikale was ten feet away.

Nine.

“Pleasedance with me,” Scarlett said, sick at the desperation that sounded in her voice.

Setting down his glass on the table behind him, Sorin grabbed her hand and tugged her to him. He slid his other hand to her upper back, his fingers on her bare skin giving her gooseflesh. “I thought you would never ask,” he purred into her ear.

Dancing with Sorin was simple and easy. He led her through the steps comfortably, as if he’d done this numerous times before. Scarlett glimpsed Mikale standing at the edge of the crowd, a scowl on his face, watching them make their way around the dance floor.

“You know he will just ask for the next dance,” Sorin said into her ear, his fingers making slow, lazy circles down her spine.

“And what do you propose I do about that?” Scarlett snapped, a shiver following his touch.

“Make it appear as if you have other interests tonight,” Sorin whispered, sliding his hand down to her waist, fingers grazing the top of her backside.

“Hmm, and I suppose you think I should pretendyouare my other interest?” she asked, a sensuous smile filing her lips.

“I would not object to having to fill such a role,” he murmured, nipping at her earlobe.

She looked up and met his gaze, glimpsing the hunger that glazed his golden eyes. “Are you sure you can handle such an act? I’m really quite persuasive when I need to be,” she purred back, pulling her hand from his and sliding them both up his muscled chest, looping them around his neck. She felt him stiffen slightly as she leaned in to nuzzle his neck, and his other hand came up to gently cup the back of hers.

“I have managed around worse,” he replied thickly.

She pulled back far enough to look into his eyes before pressing her lips to his. A chill went along her entire body as she tasted the cloves and honey again. His hand slipped into her hair while his other pressed her harder against him. He deepened the kiss as the song came to an end and another began. The new song was faster paced, but neither of them noticed. Sorin held her close, their eyes staying locked on each other, and they danced to their own song, not caring that anyone else was in the room.

“You are an excellent performer,” he whispered, bringing his mouth right next to her ear, after a third song began.

Scarlett huffed a low laugh, then crooned back, “I’d say the same to you but that desire shining in your eyes is anything but an act.”

She felt a rumble of laughter in his chest, then he leaned down and dragged his teeth along the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder. She felt her stomach dip and her body heat in response. His hand brushed her cheek, and she glimpsed two small marks on his wrist. She rubbed her thumb along them. They looked like puncture wounds. “What are these?”

“A necessary annoyance,” he said with a hint of irritation. Scarlett peered up at him and was about to question him further when he whispered, “I need some air. Come walk with me. Please.”

Scarlett hesitated, but her eyes again fell on Mikale. If looks could kill, she and Sorin would both be bleeding out on the floor right now.

“As long as we bring the wine,” she conceded with a sigh.

Sorin laughed, and took her hand, interlacing their fingers as he led her to the bar. He asked for two glasses, but before the server could pour them, Scarlett reached across the bar and plucked the full bottle from his hand. The server protested, but Sorin snarled, “Do not deny my Lady something she desires.”