There was no way she could relax while his hand was on her bare skin.
Her pulse was pumping.
“Your grandfather is matchmaking.”
“Yes.” But he didn’t sound annoyed. “He has good taste, I’ll say that for him. His choice in women is probably the one thing we agree on.” He pressed her closer and she felt the hardness of his thighs against hers.
Her hand rested on his chest and she could feel the steady thump of his heart through his shirt. And then she looked up at him and was almost scorched by the humor and heat in those blue eyes.
He gave a crooked smile. “When are these people leaving?”
“Party finishes at one.” Unsettled by the way he made her feel, she glanced up at the sky. “Do you think it’s going to rain?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care. I can’t wait until one.”
“Wait for what?” She tried to ease away from him but he clamped her close.
“You can’t move. Not right now.”
“But—”
“Unless you want to embarrass me in front of all these important people, you need to stay exactly where you are. Right now you’re protecting more than my reputation. I thought dancing was a good idea. Turns out it wasn’t.”
Pressed hard against him she could feel the heat and thickness of him through the fabric of his suit.
The chemistry was so intense it almost stifled her. She wanted him with a desperation that terrified her.
“There are plenty of women anxious for you to dance with them.” She’d seen them, watching him across the deck, hope in their eyes.
“I’m dancing with the only woman who interests me.”
More smooth words. “Perhaps I am not interested in you.”
“I’m a doctor. Do you want me to explain all the reasons I know that to be a lie?”
“You’re talking about the physical.”
“Physical works for me. Last summer it worked for you, too.”
She should walk away, but the slow, sure stroke of his hand on her back was driving her crazy. How could she end something that felt so good? And what was wrong with physical?
Because she no longer trusted her legs, she sank her fingers into his shoulder, feeling strength and muscle. He drew her closer, flattening her against him so that their bodies were touching from chest to ankle. Her thigh was trapped between his and when she looked up the humor in his eyes had gone, leaving only the heat.
“Enough. Let’s go.”
* * *
WITHOUT SPARING A glance for the people around them, Sean took her hand and drew her toward the steps that led to the forest trail. Without releasing her, he scooped up a bottle of champagne from a passing waiter.
Élise almost stumbled. “Where are we going?”
“Paradise.” He slid his arm around her shoulders and hauled her against him. “Somewhere I’m less likely to be arrested for what I’m about to do to you.”
He normally prided himself on his control. Tonight that control was nowhere to be found.
He could feel the race of Élise’s pulse under his fingers, hear the shallow rush of her breath.
“We can’t walk down the trail dressed like this. You’ll ruin your shoes.”