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“I have to admit parties like this aren’t really my thing.”
“No?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I was only invited, not as a possible suitor unfortunately, but because I’m Cathal’s right-hand man.” He nods at the man chatting away with my sister.
I smile. “Oh, that’s a shame, as you’re probably the only man worth talking to here.”
He shakes his head. “Did you decide that in the minute since we met?” His eyes flash playfully.
I shrug. “The fact you aren’t here as a suitor makes you better than any guy here.”
He chuckles. “Cathal is a great guy.”
“Oh, I have no doubt, but he has eyes for my sister.”
“I was surprised to hear that it was you they were going to find a husband for, and not Nina.”
I swallow hard because he’s the first person to bring it up. “It’s how it worked out.” The last thing I want to mention is Nina’s illness, especially considering his boss seems interested in her.
He bows his head. “Fair enough. I understand when secrets must be kept.”
“I said nothing of secrets, Mr. Wick.”
He laughs. “Call me James. I hate how formal these gatherings can be.”
I must admit that this man is both attractive and likeable. “This may seem a little forward, but would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to.” He holds out his hand and whisks me onto the dance floor.
I laugh as he twirls me around, clearly pretty good at dancing.
“So, Bella. Who’s winning the race for your hand in marriage?”
“No one that’s here for it,” I say suggestively.
My father wouldn’t hear of me marrying James as he’s not an heir to a multi-million or billion-dollar criminal empire. He’s just the right-hand man to one. Isiah Darcy is by far the richest man in this room, richer even than my dad.
He gives me a sad smile. “It’s a shame I wasn’t born rich, hey?”
I nod in response as we continue to dance. The sparks between us are impossible to ignore. And then I notice Isiah Darcy watching us from the edge of the dance floor with a look of rage in his crystal blue eyes.
It serves him right for refusing to dance with me.
James’ hand slips lower, so it’s almost on my ass. The moment that happens, Isiah starts forward as if he’s ready to defend my honor, but then I see him decide against it, stopping himself from making a move.
“You dance very well,” I say, breaking eye contact with Isiah and focusing on the man before me.
He smiles. “You aren’t half bad yourself.” He twirls me around as the music ends. “It’s a shame that this can’t continue.”
“Why not?”
He nods toward my dad, who’s glaring at the both of us. No doubt angry that the one man I’ve decided to dance with isn’t even one of the men he picked out.
“Ah yes, Dad can be rather difficult.” I sigh heavily and smile. “I guess it’s time to go back to being bored as hell.”
He squeezes my hip gently. “I’m glad I got to meet you, Bella.”
Heat spreads through me at the way he’s looking at me. “I’m glad I got to meet you, too.”
