Page 10

A fter a few dances, Kevin drew her to the edge of the dance floor.

“I’ll get us a drink,” he said.

“Nothing for me, thanks.” She smiled and he nodded.

“Be right back.”

Kevin walked away from Sara and only glanced back to make sure he wasn’t visible to her before he made his way over to Chester Miller.

“How did Tuesday night go?” Chester said.

“It went without a hitch,” Kevin reached inside of his breast pocket and took out a stack of one-hundred-dollar bills. “Tell them to get out of town.”

“They’ve already left.” Chester smiled and tucked the money away. “Now about our other business.”

“Not here,” Kevin said and glanced around. “Let’s have a drink and then we’ll find someplace a bit more private later.”

Chester agreed, and Kevin headed toward the open bar with the man.

Levi spotted Sara across the room, and the sight of her sent his pulse racing.

The douchebag, Kevin Wilson, had left her standing at the edge of the dance floor.

Any other woman would have looked lost, but not Sara, she was in her element. A wealthy family had raised Sara, and she had learned the art of mingling.

Something he would never do and not because he couldn’t, but because this whole thing grated on his last nerve.

“Wilson is heading towards Chester Miller,” Nash said, his voice low for his ears only.

“See if you can canvas that, I’ll be on the dance floor,” Levi said.

“What…” Nash said blankly, but Levi was already on the move.

Sweet hell and all that was holy, Sara saw Levi way before he walked toward her.

Levi Huxley’s powerful form was hard to miss. It wasn’t because he stood taller than the other men at the party, although he certainly matched them in height. It was his build and the way he moved, like a predator. It was the way others gave way when he approached as if subconsciously, they knew royalty was coming.

Which was absurd.

Levi wasn’t from a wealthy family. That was the only thing she liked about him.

Right …her inner voice mocked her.

She ran her eyes over the cut of his tux and her breath caught. She liked way more than that.

If she wasn’t mistaken, Levi wore a Kilton tux, and she’d bet her life that it cost twice as much as her dress.

Where in the world had he gotten that much money?

She took a step backward, but he was on her before she could flee.

His glittering blue gaze held her captive. He was easily the most handsome man in the room and she heard women nearby give breathy sighs.

Too bad, sweeties , Sara thought and perched one hand on Levi’s shoulder.

Thoughts of fleeing spun right out of her head when he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close.

Where Kevin’s touch was abhorrent to her, Levi’s embrace felt protective. In Levi’s arms, she felt the last of the attack’s trauma fall away. She felt completely and utterly safe with him.

Maybe that was because she’d seen him in action. Or maybe, it was because he was a natural-born protector? Whatever the case may be, she couldn’t have stepped away from him to save her life.

The instant attraction between them flared hot.

Every part of her body was hyper aware of the powerful man as he held her close and danced her back into the crowd of bodies.

Of course, the DJ put on a slow song at that moment and Levi cradled her close as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

The tune of Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi piped in softly through the overhead speakers.

Sara wondered who in the world had requested this song at an engagement party. Then she remembered that it was Thomas Getty’s party…of course, the prick would play something depressing like that.

Levi tipped her chin up with his fingertips and thoughts of the song flew right out of her head.

She gazed up at him, holding his eyes with hers, and a shiver coursed up her spine and heat pooled deep and low inside of her.

Levi didn’t appear bothered by the song and dipped his head, caressing his lips along the shell of her ear. She felt helpless beneath his assault. Why, oh why did this man have such power over her?

Levi lifted his head and caught her gaze again, and she felt pinned, unable to look away.

The moments passed slowly, her body plastered to his as if it belonged there, their steps matching perfectly as if they had practiced forever.

The song changed and The Power of Love by Celine Dion came on, and Sara almost groaned out loud.

Something must have shown in her eyes because a small smirk worked at the corner of Levi’s sexy mouth and humor raced up into his eyes.

He spun her gently, facing away from him, and pulled her back flush against his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist as he held her. Her ass nestled into his crotch.

She didn’t feel awkward because other couples were dancing the same way, so she closed her eyes and swayed, closing her hands over his strong forearms.

They made a powerful couple and drew numerous stares. Those watching couldn’t look away from the ruggedly sexy man with the stunningly gorgeous woman in his arms.

Before the song ended, Levi caught her hand and pulled her from the dance floor. Sara lifted the edge of her dress to keep from stepping on the hem as she was pulled through the crowded room.

People gave them knowing smiles, but she wondered if those smiles would last if they knew he wasn’t the man she’d come with.

She tried to stop him, but Levi appeared to be on a mission, and she was pulled out of the venue door and across the lobby.

The elevator down from the tenth floor was full, and Levi took the opportunity to crowd her against the back of the car and step in close.

Her breath caught and she planted her hands on his lean hips. When the doors pinged open and the crowd spilled out, he took her by the wrist and walked toward the exit.

When they were outside in the cool May night, Levi kept walking.

Where in the world was he taking her?

That’s when Sara stopped by planting her feet.

He spun, their fingers still locked together, his eyes held hers, and then he stalked the two steps back to her.

Sliding one powerful arm around her waist, he lifted her up and around the side of the building.

And there, with her back pressed to the cold concrete, he kissed her.

The kiss was achingly slow, but filled with so much heat that she clutched at his lapels and moaned softly into his mouth.

Levi did what he swore he would never do again.

He kissed Sara and the world disappeared. He was no longer a bodyguard, nor a former soldier, or a secret operative.

Right then, he was only a man who wanted a woman like never before.

“Come with me,” he breathed the words out against her swollen lips.

“I can’t, I’m here with my boss.”

He kissed her again, this time harder, and she melted against him.

“Tell your boss to fuck off,” he ordered once he’d lifted his head.

“You can’t just show up here expecting to get laid.” She was frowning at him fiercely.

Uh oh.

That was exactly what he wanted. Shit. He had taken her from the venue like he owned her and that was far from the case.

What the fuck did he think he was going to do? Take her to the limo and fuck her on the seat?

One part of his brain, the one that ran his dick, thought that was a grand idea. The other brain said that it probably wasn’t going to fly.

He wanted inside her. He wanted her silkiness wrapped around him until they were both too exhausted to move.

But the universe had other plans when a woman’s voice called out to him.

“Levi…Levi Huxley?”

Sara jerked away from him, and Levi gripped her shoulders hard to keep her still, but he knew he had to let her go.

If only for now.