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‘Don’t you dare. We haven’t even begun yet.’
This time several couples joined them on the dance floor, obviously inspired by their exhibition.
They danced continuously until finally the band shifted tempo and played something slow and seductive. On the dance floor the lighting softened and suddenly the atmosphere became more intimate.
‘You didn’t tell me you could dance,’ Libby said breathlessly, pink and laughing from the exertion. ‘That was fantastic.’
‘I’m Greek,’ he reminded her silkily. ‘All Greeks can dance.’
Without giving her a chance to argue, he curved a strong arm around her, pulling her firmly against him, and Libby put a hand on his shoulder, feeling the hardness of muscle thinly disguised by the fabric of his shirt. Disconcerted by the way he made her feel, she tried to keep up the conversation.
‘I thought you did traditional dancing with lots of plate-smashing.’
‘That, too. Now stop talking, Libby.’
He pulled her closer, sliding an arm around her hips so that she was pressed against him.
Aware of every incredible inch of him, Libby dipped her head against his chest and closed her eyes, breathing in his male scent and the subtle hint of aftershave.
The intensity of her body’s response shocked her. Butterflies erupted in her stomach and she was sure that he must be able to feel her body quivering. Every part of her felt sensitive. She was incredibly aware of every inch of his body. Unable to help herself, she pressed closer still and he immediately lifted a hand to her face, sliding his lean fingers around her jaw and forcing her to look at him.
The laughter had long since faded and the emotion sizzling between them was intense sexual excitement. An overwhelming acknowledgement of the astonishing chemistry between them. Skin brushed against skin, breath mingled unsteadily and the heat became almost intolerable.
‘P-people are staring at us,’ Libby stammered, shivering as she felt his thumb trace the fullness of her lower lip.
‘Let them stare,’ Andreas murmured softly, supremely indifferent to the curious glances they were receiving. ‘On the other hand, I could do with some fresh air. How about you?’
Libby nodded. What she really needed was a cold shower, but fresh air would probably do.
His long fingers closed around her wrist and he strode off the dance floor towards one of the exits, dragging her after him.
Feeling that just about everyone was probably staring at them, Libby didn’t look left or right.
‘You’re behaving like a caveman,’ she muttered, mortified by what people must be thinking. ‘This isn’t very politically correct.’
He shot her a sizzling smile of pure sexual invitation. ‘That’s because I’m Greek,’ he drawled in that dark tone that sent shivers down her spine. ‘We’re not very good at being politically correct.’
He led her out into the grounds, past the small lights that added a subtle glow to the darkness and illuminated the surroundings just enough to allow them to find their way. After the heat and noise of the ballroom the air was incredibly cool and peaceful.
A few couples were seated at tables outside, but Andreas ignored them and didn’t break his stride, taking her across the grass and down towards the ornamental lake.
Finally he slowed down and took a deep breath. ‘That’s better. It was very hot in there, agape mou.’
Libby looked at him shyly. ‘What does that mean?’
He didn’t answer her and, seeing the lights of the ballroom and hearing the music fading into the background, Libby felt suddenly vulnerable. All of a sudden it was just a woman alone with a man in the incredible intimacy created by the semi-darkness.
She felt breathlessly unsure as he led her down some steps and through some trees and suddenly they were on the edge of the lake.
‘Oh!’ She stopped dead, enchanted by the moonlight flickering on the nearly still water. ‘It’s magical. How did you know it was here?’
Andreas maintained his grip on her wrist. ‘I saw it from the terrace when we were drinking champagne earlier.’
After the heat and noise of the ballroom it felt wonderfully peaceful and she stood for a moment, enjoying the silence, breathlessly aware of his powerful presence next to her. Even without turning her head, she sensed that he was looking at her and she felt her heart thud against her chest in a frenzy of anticipation. His fingers hadn’t moved from her wrist but she could feel his touch with every part of her body.
‘Libby?’
All he did was say her name but his soft tone brushed over her nerve endings and made her shiver with a sexual excitement that was as intense as it was unfamiliar.
