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“You might just be the luckiest woman alive.” The announcer winked.
Luck had nothing to do with it. Julian had orchestrated this, and, judging by his smile as nearby women offered obscene money to buy him from her, he wasn’t the least bit repentant. “My lady.” Like an old-fashioned hero, he captured her hand and brought it up for a kiss. Good-natured comments came from all around, but she barely heard them at the tingle that raced through her sensitized body. She snatched her hand back, a little too quickly perhaps, but his touch was doing things it shouldn’t be.Hewas doing things he shouldn’t be.
He towered over her as she settled the bill, paying with a stack of twenties. Then she turned… right into him. Fiery heat streaked in every limb, from her neck, down her body andeverywhere. “Steady,” he rumbled, reaching out, grasping her shoulders. “I’ve got you.”
Yes, he did, in more ways than one. Unacceptable. “You may want to stay back,” she whispered. “I just had a fantasy about you.”
“Did you?” He didn’t appear the least bit concerned. “Did it involve a shark?”
“Actually, a lion, a hungry one.”
“And am I the lion?”
Oh yes.“You planned to be my date all along. Don’t deny it.”
“I wouldn’t do you the injustice. Do you know why?” He leaned closer. “I didn’t want you with those other men.”
Her heart acted its own action scene, skipping and then jumping and then pounding far and away. She hadn’t expected him to admit it.
“You suggested we date,” he drawled, “but if you’ve changed your mind, you are under no obligation. Of course, it wouldn’t affect your job.”
Yes, it would – her real job, that was. The more she stood out, the more the criminal would stay away. Turning down Julian Starcroft would invite a month’s worth of gossip. She smiled and waved at a passing actress. “It was supposed to be private,” she hissed.
“That’s the beauty of it.” He gestured to the avidly watching crowd. “No one knows we’re actually dating. Now how about a dance?”
“I can’t dance. I said we would go out, not that we were dati– hey!” She gasped as he seized her hand and led her to the dance floor. And because she couldn’t make a scene, she had to smile and follow. “Don’t you ever listen?”
“Not really.” He put his arms around her, bringing her closer to muscles she couldn’t ignore. “Besides, it’s tradition. Didn’t you specifically list dancing as one of the skills on your resume?”
When she found the person who wrote that resume… “Well, yeah, but not this type of dancing.”
He tilted his head, and for once she didn’t blame him. They were doing a simple slow dance. “What kind of dancing are you skilled at? Square dancing?”
Well, why not?“Hey, don’t knock it. It’s great fun and a fantastic skill. It can add something to any movie.”
“Should we ask the director to add square dancing toSpy Heat?”
“It would be irresponsible not to.” Then she couldn’t help it – she smiled.
He turned the topic to the film, lightening the conversation. She tried to stay detached, but he captured her interest, and she laughed as he shared funny stories about his current and past roles. Only the laughter brought her into closer contact with his solid chest, and all humor vanished. She should stay aloof and reserved, strong and unaffected. Yet words and the world faded, as he held her with his heated body. She was accustomed to being with strong men in the force, but somehow he was just… more. A soft melody started playing, and they swayed in perfect harmony.
“Destiny?”
“Hmmm.”
“Have you heard a word I said?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Then what did I just say?”
She hadn’t the foggiest idea. “That you’re really sorry for sending me to forty-eight dry cleaners?”
His expression was pure mischief. “I didn’t send you to forty-eight dry cleaners.” She lifted an eyebrow, and he dipped hishead. “Fine. I may have sent you on a few unnecessary errands. I didn’t like you flirting with five hundred and seventy-two guys.”
The admission was blatant, surprising and far too pleasing. Something dangerously close to satisfaction stilted her next steps. It was ridiculous. Whether he noticed, cared or watched couldn’t matter. “Now why is it a man like you makes millions at the box office, but can’t count?”
“You’re right. When you add up all the guys you flirt with on a daily basis, it’s probably far more.” He tightened his arms. “I don’t like seeing you hitting on other guys, especially when you’re on a date with me.”