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“What guys?”

I laughed as I rolled my eyes. I turned around to face the other guests and leaned against the bar. “You're the conceded asshole who thinks he knows everything. I've spent my entire life around guys like you. Big head, bigger ego. Always right. Think they know everything.”

“I'm a lot of things, Red, but I'm not one of those guys.”

“Red?” I asked, confused. The man pointed at my red dress casually. I stood quietly, staring at him. I was trying to get a read on him, but it was hard. “If you're not the conceded asshole type, then what kind of guy are you? Save me the trouble of guessing.”

He shrugged a shoulder. “That spoils all the fun. If I tell you who I am, where's the excitement? You're just going to have to figure it out for yourself.”

“Dark and mysterious.”

“Those are your words, not mine.”

“Alright, Mr. Dark and Mysterious, what brings you here?”

“Work. Money. Recognition. Isn't that why all of us are here?”

“I suppose that's accurate. What exactly do you do for work?”

“It's hard to explain.”

I cocked a brow and said, “It can't be that hard to explain.”

“It's harder than you think. Besides, you wouldn't want to hear about it. It's boring.” He picked up his drink and stared into the glass.

“Try me,” I said. “Don't let this dress fool you. I'm not a piece of arm jewelry like some of these women.”

He laughed as he set his glass down on the bar. “That's easy to see. You want to dance?”

I debated for a moment. “Sure. Why the hell not.”

Mr. Dark and Mysterious was the first interesting person I had met at one of the galas in years. I didn't want the excitement to end just yet. The second that guy was gone, I would be thrust back into the world of cardboard cutout people with the personalities of goldfish.

The man took my hand and walked me to the dance floor. The song was slow, rolling through the room like small waves against the sand. He pulled my arms up around his neck and wrapped his arms around my waist.

He took a step, making the first move. I followed his lead. The man manipulated my body with every step. He pulled to the right, and I followed. He stepped to the left, and with a soft flick of his wrist, he dipped me.

“Where did you learn to dance like this?”

“My mother made me take lessons when I was a kid. She said knowing how to dance was a way to a woman's heart.”

“Is that right?”

“She was old fashioned.” The man pushed me away from his body and spun me around once, then pulled me back in close. “But I guess you'll have to tell me. Am I dancing my way into your heart?” He took my hand in his and pressed it against his chest.

“I don't know. I've never been hit on with a dance before.”

The man ran his thumb up and down my knuckles. Goosebumps prickled up my arms, and my belly fluttered with a million butterflies. He was peering deep into my eyes, his touch soft and strong at the same time.

It felt like we were the only two dancers on the floor. The only two people in the room. The last people left on earth. I wasmesmerized by him. I had never felt anything like that before. It was just us and the music.

There were so many colors in his eyes. Yellows and browns, highlights of green and gold. They glistened like two gems in the sunlight. He never took them off of me. His eyes danced around my face, moved down my body, and then back up again.

I was lost in him, swaying mindlessly, enjoying his touch and scent and the feel of our bodies together. He moved us in circles across the floor. I followed him with every step. My body didn't resist as he danced us into a corner, hidden from everyone else, blocked by a large Monstera Adansonii plant with wide leaves cut like Swiss cheese.

The man stilled as his eyes glazed over. He pinned me to the wall with his chest, his hands coming up to capture my face. I didn't stop him. I wanted it. I wanted him. His hands were warm as his thumbs ran back and forth softly over my cheeks.

I exhaled a single breath of air and licked my lips. The gorgeous man with big eyes and a jaw so sharp it could cut a diamond leaned in. His lips met mine, tongue sweeping into my mouth. He tasted like honey whiskey, sweet and savory with a hint of spice.