On my way to the stairs, I wondered how long the valet would take to find my Jeep.
Charming appeared out of nowhere, taking me by the elbow and pulling me around. “Where do you think you’re going?” he growled.
“Away from you.”
Someone passed by and glanced at us. Charming dropped my arm and smiled. “You shouldn’t be out here without your coat. You’ll catch a cold.” He took my coat and held it out like any gentleman would.
The passerby smiled and moved out of earshot.
“Wouldn’t want you todie,” Charming intoned when I slipped my arms into the sleeves.
“Gee, how thoughtful of you to be concerned,” I said dryly.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he said low.
“I’m here for charity,” I said innocently.
“What’s the cause and how much did you donate?” he asked, rocking back on his heels and slipping his hands into his slacks.
Even when he was acting like a pompous ass, he looked like a perfect Ken doll. Idiot.
“It’s called the save-an-innocent-woman fund. And thankfully, screwing up your plans didn’t cost me a thing.”
“You can show up here tonight, try and make me look like an idiot, ruin my chance of getting to know the Target—”
“Her name is Rosalyn,” I interjected.
He talked right over me.
“But there is always tomorrow. And the next day. I’m not going to give up.”
“I told her you were gay.”
That got his attention.
He stood there for long moments, his perfect jaw practically unhinged from his face. “You didwhat?” he finally asked, shocked.
“I admit, you’re good. You managed to impress her already. I had to do something to lessen the blow of that charm that seems to work on everyonebutme.”
The look—the anger—that crossed his face made me take a step back. Again, I wondered if I was acting like a fool by baiting the wrong man.
I certainly didn’t stand around and wait to see what he would do. I rushed down the stairs and gave my ticket to the valet and prayed he would hurry the hell up and that my Jeep wasn’t parked in the nosebleed section of this property.
The valet went off in search of my car and then I was alone. Outside. In the dark.
“She couldn’t possibly have believed you,” he said from behind. His voice was low and calm. Something about that made that feeling in my stomach start up all over again. Full force.
I looked over my shoulder, tossing my curls, and I moved my head. I might feel jumbled up on the inside, but damned if I would show it. “Why is that? All I am is a very concerned sister about her extremely charming brother who just doesn’t understand the effect he has on the opposite sex.” I put my hand on my hip. “Why wouldn’t she believe me?”
His chin dropped down and he pinned me with an aggressive green gaze. The muscles in the side of his jaw worked and I glanced around for the valet. He was nowhere in sight.
Charming’s perfectly polished black dress shoes made a hollow sound when he stepped forward. I turned fully around to face him, standing my ground.
I pretended not to notice the way my knees began to shake as he prowled toward me.
“The valet is going to be right back.” I reminded him we weren’t alone.
He said nothing, just took another step closer, his eyes not once leaving my face.
