Page 102 of Manhattan State of Mind

His tongue glides over his lips, like a wolf eyeing up a lamb chop, giving me a look that makes my downstairs clench.

Against my better judgment, I allow him to steer me onto the dance floor.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Lucy

My pulse races as JP possessively slides his hand into mine and leads me out, drawing the attention of onlookers.

He locks his intense gaze onto mine and pulls me close. He chuckles, his warm breath tickling my ear. “No need to look like you’re facing the firing squad, Lucy. We’re just dancing.”

I try to play it cool, laughing it off, but inside, it’s mayhem. Fight or flight. Or fuck.

Maybe all of the above.

My arms wrap around his neck, feeling his muscles tense underneath his shirt. God, that’s a whole lot of man. Warm hard masculine muscle. Hard in all the right places.

For a second, I forget about the pain-inflicting stilts I’ve strapped to my feet.

His hands trace a path up and down my back, the heat from his touch penetrating my dress. They finally settle on my hips, his fingers drawing intoxicating circles that send shivers down my spine.

Just a dance, my ass.

Try as I might to focus on the rhythm, our proximity makes it impossible. The press of his strong thighs against mine sends delicious tingles through me.

He lets out a deep, sedated sigh and smirks down at me, his gaze filled with heat.

This man knowsexactlywhat he’s doing to me.

I can feel it in the way his hands claim me, in the subtle pressure of his body against mine, teasing and tempting through our clothes.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asks.

I gnaw my lip, gathering the courage to be honest—minus the part where my body is screamingTake me now, you gorgeous man!

“I’m a bit on edge,” I blurt out, my throat dry.

His eyes lock on mine. “Why?”

“Really? You have to ask?” I laugh breathlessly, acutely aware of the slow circles his fingers are tracing on my skin. “You’re one of the most intense people I’ve ever met. And intense is an understatement.”

His lips curl wider as he leans in, close enough for me to nibble on if I so feel the urge. “Intensity is reserved for the things and people that matter…” His gaze flickers to my lips before returning to my eyes.

I bite back a shiver, keeping my facade calm. “Oh? And what qualifies as ‘mattering’ to a guy like you?”

His smile deepens as he guides me into a slow turn on the dance floor. “What matters most to me? My family, for one—my sister and nephews. The business I built from nothing. Loyal friends, though they’re hard to come by.” His hand trails a feather-light circle on my hip and I nearly miss his next words. “And beautiful women who can challenge me.”

I force out a light laugh to cover my fluttering nerves. “Well, you’re definitely surrounded by beautiful women tonight.”

In one smooth, motion he spins me out then pulls me back in, my chest pressed to his. I inhale sharply as his next words brush against my neck, and I feel them all the way down to my underwear. “There’s only one woman who has my undivided attention tonight. The one with the striking blue eyes who outshines everything else in the room. Trust me, no one else even comes close.”

Oh, hell. That’s dangerously sweet. I let out a strangled chuckle.

“You know, you’re not what I expected,” I say, breathless.

He raises a brow, a glint in his eye. “Oh? And what were you expecting?”

“Honestly, I pegged you for all business, Mr. Cold and Unfeeling. Sleeping and showering in your suits. Only caring about that bottom line.”