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Ignoring the satisfaction in his eyes, she accepted his outstretched hand. His fingers curled over hers and she sucked in a deep breath. Her gaze met his and she saw it—the same unexpected raw desire.
This is not a good idea.
Never had someone just holding her hand inspired the type of lust that now pulsed beneath her skin as he guided her toward the dance floor. Her heart thudded as if she was a teenager going to prom.
Relax. Relax and breathe.
She was a grown woman in a crowded ballroom, dancing with a man and discussing business. There was absolutely no need to be acting like a love-struck fool.
He turned and placed one hand on her bare back.
She arched forward, feeling his fingers like flames against her skin.
How could she relax when she had just walked straight into the lion’s den?
CHAPTER THREE
EVERLEIGHFITPERFECTLYin Adrian’s arms. Her body, lithe and fit beneath the shimmering folds of her gown, pressed fully up against his as he swung them into a turn. The feel of her skin beneath his touch, hot and silky, aroused him like nothing had in a very long time.
“You dance well,señorita.”
“Thank you.”
That delicate blush reappeared, staining her cheeks the color of rose petals. Would the rest of her body glow with the same golden-pink hue after they made love?
He blinked.Made love?Where had that thought come from? He enjoyedsexand, judging by the enthusiastic responses of past lovers, he was very good at it. However, he had never “made love” to a woman because he never had fallen, and nor would he ever fall, in love. Even the affection he’d felt toward Nicole had been at such a minor level that when he’d tossed her out he’d been angrier at himself for being duped by her charade than he had at losing the woman herself.
Besides, Everleigh might be beautiful and intriguing, but until they sorted out this mess about the sale of Fox Vineyards he had no business pursuing her.
A single tear suddenly appeared and clung to her lashes. The sight created an uncomfortable feeling in his chest. Tears—as he’d found out on numerous occasions—were often a ruse. Yet the genuine sadness in Everleigh’s eyes inspired in him a protectiveness that was foreign to his seasoned perspective.
“I’m sorry to hear about Richard’s illness,” Adrian said, making a guess as to the reason for her sorrow.
And he meant it. While Fox Vineyards was a small winery, Richard Bradford maintained an excellent reputation in the wine community.
She nodded once, confirming his suspicions. “It’s difficult to see him go through this.”
“I’m sorry.”
He knew that loss all too well. Abuela Sofia’s unexpected death just before his tenth birthday had left a gaping hole. The wizened, silver-haired woman who had steadfastly remained in the cottage at the edge of the family estate until her death had been the one constant in his tumultuous childhood. Unlike his father, who had always been traveling, or his mother and her lack of interest in his existence.
His time with Abuela had been simple, uncomplicated and steadfast. She’d been the one person he’d trusted himself to love unconditionally, just as she had loved him.
Everleigh drew in a shuddering breath. “Thank you. I assumed you knew. Then again, Dad isn’t telling a lot of people.”
“It’s not easy losing someone you love. Myabuelapassed away in her sleep.”
The words escaped before Adrian could stop them. Honoring Sofia Cabrera by sharing her chocolatepolvoronesat his release parties was the closest he came to sharing personal details of any kind.
Everleigh’s hand slid up to his shoulder. She gave him a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “Those cookies are truly incredible. She must have been an amazing woman for you to honor her like that.”
“She was.”
Everleigh smiled again, but this one was tinged with the kindred pain of losing a loved one.
Between anger, desire and sorrow, he’d experienced a full scale of deep emotions in the past thirty minutes. He didn’t like it. It was time to return to familiar ground.
“Back to business. What do you want to know?”
