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“Sure.” She offers a tense smile. “Do you mind calling Harrison to come pick us up while you wait?”
I nod.
“Great. I’ll be back in a second.” Her body remains rigid, spine straight as an arrow as she crosses the ballroom and turns around a corner.
I consider what might have spooked her, and I can only assume it has something to do with what Leo said. She seemed fine before he went off talking about marriage…
Did it make things too real for her? It’s plausible, given her aversion to love. She has made her feelings on the matter crystal clear, and I’ve gone along with it because it’s what she wanted. It’s not like it is any easier for me. After watching my father destroy his family after my mother died, I didn’t want to put myself in a similar position. Everyone I love always leaves anyway. Why bother letting anyone close if there is no guarantee they will ever stay?
But are you going to spend the rest of your life alone because you’re too afraid to get close to someone? It’s still the same loneliness no matter how you paint it.
The back of my neck heats, and I turn to find Iris’s eyes focused on me. A few men stop and stare at her, and it takes everything in me to ignore them as I walk across the room.
“Is Harrison downstairs wait—”
Her question is cut off by me pulling her into my arms.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Leo stopped by and asked if we were sticking around for the auction. I told him yes.”
You’re a bastard for lying to her.
I’ll feel bad about it tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll take advantage.
She groans. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I don’t want to give him any reason to think we only came here for him.”
She sighs as she wraps her arms around me. “Is there a specific reason you’re hugging me?”
“I thought I saw someone I know.”
Will you ever stop lying wherever she is concerned?
Only if I ever grow a conscience. Given the number of lies piling up around me, I doubt it would be during this lifetime.
“Did they go away or do you plan on holding me all night?”
Well, if I have an option…
You don’t.
I sigh as I reluctantly release her only to grab her hand. “Let’s dance.”
“Is this the vodka talking?”
I shoot her a look. “It was one glass.”
She laughs. “That’s all it takes. You don’t even like to dance.”
I don’t release her hand as I lean in and whisper in her ear, “Keep making a show in front of everyone and I’ll make you regret it later.”
A shudder runs through her, and I trace the goosebumps on her arm with a single finger. “That’s promising.”
Her mouth opens and closes repeatedly as I lead her toward the dance floor. I wrap an arm around her waist, and she responds by locking her arms behind my neck. Our faces are only a few inches apart as we rock in circles to the soft music playing through the speakers.
“If you wanted to dance with me, all you had to do was ask. No need to use empty threats to coerce me.”
