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“I like people who see gatherings like this as opportunities. As I said, I like to study people, and I like what I see. To that end, I wonder if you might be interested in sitting down with me to discuss my new manufacturing plant.”
“I’d be happy to do that,” she answered. ‘Happy?’ that was something of an understatement. She’d be delirious with joy, over the moon, and thrilled beyond belief.
“Good. Then what do you say to ten tomorrow morning at my office?”
“That doesn’t give me long to prepare…”
“No preparation is needed. We’ll meet and discuss the project as I see it. I’d like to get your gut reaction. So, ten?” he asked, already moving back toward the ballroom.
Even though she had the distinct impression she’d been dismissed and that her acceptance was a foregone conclusion, she answered, “Ten will be fine. I’ll look forward to seeing you in the morning.”
Nothing could be further from the truth, but there was no need to tell him that. A commission from Elron Whistler and the successful completion of the project could put her and Lucy’s long dreamed of property development firm on its way to fruition.
The big man standing in front of the door seemed to sense his boss’ approach and not only moved aside, but quickly and gracefully opened the door for his boss, closing it behind him. Delaney shook her head. The uber rich really were a different breed. She leaned down to grab her shoes and put them back on. It was only then that she noticed a set of large, strong, and very masculine hands wrapping around her ankle, lifting it, and slipping her shoe back on. Talk about feeling like Cinderella.
The dark, bent head lifted and she found herself gazing into the most gorgeous, deep, soulful brown eyes she’d ever seen. Delaney felt as if she could get lost in them forever.
“You seemed to have lost your shoes, Delaney. I worried that you might injure yourself getting back to your car.”
In all the fairytales and romance stories, the shoe slips on smoothly and easily. Her shoe was a bit strappy for that and her small toe got hung up for a minute in one of the straps before the handsome stranger maneuvered it back into place before getting the shoe on. It was awkward, but also endearing.
“I didn’t lose them. They were right here the whole time and I intended to put them back on. Thank you but I can get the other one on by myself.”
“I have no doubt of that, but as I’m already down here, let me help. I’m sure you have men falling to their knees all the time, but this is a first for me.”
He seemed to be trying to tell her something, but she wasn’t quite sure what it was. She was also unsure whether or not he was insulting her. She was well aware that she didn’t stack up against all the other women in the room and men who looked like him were not, in her experience, attracted to women who looked like her.
“I’m fine—really,” she protested, surprised her voice sounded normal and that she wasn’t drooling. He’d been gorgeous from across the room; up close he was truly stunning and absolutely drool-worthy.
He eased her now shod foot back to the floor. Wrapping one hand around her ankle and taking her other shoe in his hand, he said, “Here, allow me.”
She jerked her foot back, causing her to stumble and her ankle to twist. If it hadn’t been for the man’s lightning-fast response and superior strength, she would have fallen on her ass. Instead, she found herself scooped up in a single, strong move, cradling her close to his chest until he could set her on the railing with her back against the building.
Delaney found herself staring into his fathomless eyes and she realized his lips were moving, no doubt speaking to her. “I’m sorry; what did you say?”
A merry light twinkled in his eyes, and he chuckled. The sound seemed to slide over her skin, enveloping her and caressing her flesh in an almost palpable way.
“I asked if you were all right.”
She nodded—not trusting her voice. She’d never been picked up by anyone—ever. Even as a child she couldn’t remember anyone picking her up off the ground. When she would fall and skin her knee, her mother would castigate her for being clumsy. Being held by the stranger, even though they’d both been fully clothed and in full view of those remaining in the ballroom, had felt intimate. Having always felt like a big, overdone tomboy, the feeling of being delicate and feminine was disconcerting.
“I’m fine… er… I don’t even know your name, but you know mine.”
“Of course, I do; you’re the woman of the hour. I am Tevryn. Now, let me get that shoe…”
He turned to go fetch her shoe, and Delaney promptly hopped down from her perch, her ankle giving way. She cried out and Tevryn was back at her side, lifting her up and placing her back on the rail.
“Let me take a look at that ankle,” he said, kneeling down and gently beginning to palpate her ankle. Delaney winced. “That’s not good, but the swelling doesn’t seem too bad, at least not yet.”
Making a careful study of her ankle, it was all Delaney could do not to mewl when his hand ran up the back of her calf, trailing his fingers along her skin from ankle to just behind the knee. The gentle caress made her want to melt or curl up against him.
“I’m fine, Mr. Tevryn,” she protested, softly.
“It’s just Tevryn, and I don’t think you are. You sit here and let me get your shoe. Then we’ll see about getting you to your car.”
“Please, Tevryn. I’m fine.”
“You aren’t. Stay.”
