His eyes soften as he picks up on my sudden change of subject. “You’ve met Darby and Pierce and heard all about Devin. Pierce’s other two children, Maya and Cole, are awesome. Mom and Dad are nuts. They own a little farm in Charleston. Mom loves her horses. A few years ago, she had an accident, and we didn’t know if she’d ever ride again. It took a lot of rehab, but she got back in the saddle, literally.”
“What kind of accident?”
“She fell off her horse and took a beating.”
I suck in a sharp breath. “And she’s riding again?”
“Yes, she’s too stubborn to be told no. When you meet her, you’ll understand.”
My heart flips in my chest at his statement. Meet his mom? I swallow another large sip and press on. “Sounds like you’re all close.”
“We are, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t had rocky roads. Mom and Dad divorced after Darby moved to Charlotte. But they never truly separated. It confused the hell out of everyone, but we learned to live with it. They announced their reconciliation shortly after Darby moved back to Charleston.”
“Wow.”
“What about you?”
“What about me? I live with my other best friend off the strip and moved here after college.”
“What about family?”
My stomach clenches and I try to keep a straight face. It’s only fair for him to wonder. But my relationship with my family and my history is long buried in the past. “No family.”
His lips form a thin line. “No family?”
“Not anymore. I cut all ties my senior year of college, graduated, and auditioned for Cirque. Dante, Ryanne—my roommate, and the Cirque have been my life and family since.”
“That explains Dante a lot clearer.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
“Have you always been a dancer?”
“Yes, it wasn’t just my passion, it was my existence. In high school, one of my instructors took an interest and helped me apply for college. The only way I could go was on a scholarship, so I busted my ass to make it happen.”
“You were phenomenal out there tonight.”
“Thanks, but I’m only as good as my crew. We make it work.”
“Family.”
“Family,” I repeat, grinning up at him. “We’re all a bunch of dream chasers.”
“There’s nothing wrong with chasing your dreams.”
I finish my drink and place the flute on the table. “What’s next? I’m pretty sure this bar is closing.”
“Whatever you’d like.”
My nerves kick back into gear as I realize I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing. This complete night is unreal and out of character. It’s beyond partying with new friends and kissing a man I met hours ago. Evin Graham is completely, undeniably, one-hundred percent out of my league.
He picks up on my hesitance, taking my hand. “Let’s walk.”
I let out a quiet breath, letting him help me to my feet. Walking is good. It will clear my head and this highly dangerous fog that Evin has put me under.
He guides us around the hotel, thankfully taking up the conversation with ease. We’re passing a jewelry store when something catches my eye.
In the display is a unique and beautiful ring of hammered metal resembling a flower. There’s a large stone in the center that I assume is a diamond.
“See something you like?”
“That ring resembles a Poppy.”
“It’s nice.”
“Yes.”
“We can come back tomorrow when the store is open.”
I tilt my head, noting he’s serious. “Oh no, I just wanted to look. It’s so unique.”
He studies me for a minute, then tugs me along again. We end up outside by the fountains. The area is deserted this time of the morning.
“I’ve lived here a while and never gotten used to the view.” I gaze at the Eiffel Tower across the strip.
“It’s incredible.”
Something in his voice makes me peer up. His eyes bore into mine. I was wrong about the walk clearing the fog. It’s impossible to be near this man and avoid his spell. There’s no question his mere presence demands attention.
He’s looking at me with such tenderness my heart races. The air around us changes. Before I lose my courage, I tip up on my toes, pressing my mouth to his. He releases my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist and closing any space between us.
My lips part and his tongue curls with mine. I have no choice but to follow his lead.
The instant his fingers glide up my neck and into my hair, I know this kiss has the possibility to change my life. The scent of his cologne, the taste of champagne, the feeling of his hard body holding me tight—everything about it burns in my brain.
I clutch onto his shoulders, slanting to give him better access. His low moan sends sparks racing through my veins. Desire and need I’ve never experienced build and root deep inside. His tongue sweeps through my mouth, his strokes speeding. My knees wobble and I grow lightheaded but don’t dare stop.