Ella wished her heart didn't speed up quite so much as she recognized the voice. She wished her knees didn't turn to jelly or that her middle didn't heat. She wished that he didn't have that effect on her. Even trying to remember that she just saw him with another woman only hours ago didn't still the butterflies in her stomach.

“That only happens in fairy tales,” Ella countered, making sure not to smile even though she kept looking away from him. Maybe if she ignored him, he'd go away and her heart would stop wishing for things she didn't really want. She wanted to be loved, not just the flavor of the week.

A light applause filled the air as the dance ended. Ella blushed as Jason dipped Madelyn back and then proceeded to kiss her thoroughly. Several guests whooped their approval at the public display of affection before Jason pulled his bride back up. Madelyn's cheeks were flushed, but she grinned so wide at Jason that Ella was sure her face would split open at any moment.

“That's what love should look like,” Jace murmured, moving to stand beside her. Ella glanced over at him, realizing too late that it meant she was paying attention. His eyes met hers. She stared into the deep blue-green pools of warmth and affection, not understanding how he could look at her like that. Did he look at Allison like that? Or was it just the ones he was currently chasing?

“Why are you talking to me anyway?” she asked, surprised at the level of venom in her tone. She crossed her arms like a shield, wishing that he would just go away and not mess with her heart quite so much.

“I find I enjoy your company,” he replied slowly. “Is ther

e a reason that I shouldn't?”

She could feel him frowning without having to look at him. He was trying to figure her out. He didn't know she had seen him with Allison. What kind of idiot did he take her for?

“I would think you would be more interested in 'talking' to Allison,” Ella answered, making it perfectly clear what she thought of their 'talking'. She took a sip of her champagne and stared at Madelyn, who was now dancing with her father. Cold seemed to flow through her. “Perhaps I can get you an actual room this time.”

Jace stiffened and for a moment Ella felt a small bit of smug pride. But, then he started to laugh.

“What?” Ella turned to look at him, suddenly angry. She didn't like being laughed at.

“Well, I'm glad to see it worked,” Jace said, his laughter drawing the eyes of several guests.

“What worked?” Ella growled. She felt like throwing her champagne in his face. That's what women always did in movies.

“What do you think you saw?” Jace asked, finally quieting and leaning forward. The other guests turned back to the dancing.

“Something wildly inappropriate,” Ella spat out, the hurt of his betrayal making her ache. She knew she had no right to him, but still, seeing him with Allison had cut her to the core. “I'm not having this conversation.”

Ella turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm. She nearly spilled her drink, not at the strength of his grip, but rather the way his touch sent her skin on fire.

“What do you think you saw?” he repeated, his voice low and the laughter gone from his voice. His eyes found hers and as much as she wanted to look away, she couldn't.

“I saw you leaving Delores's office looking like that cat that ate the canary,” Ella replied, pulling away from him. “Followed by the canary, looking like she'd been eaten.”

“So you saw me walk out of an office, followed by a woman.” Jace's eyes never left hers. “Do you know who else was watching us leave? Who else saw exactly what you did, because that was what she sent her daughter in to do?”

Ella took a step back.

“Delores.” She had been watching Delores feed Allison to any guest worth more than a couple hundred grand for years. A billionaire would be a prize beyond belief. The ache behind Ella's breastbone began to change. “You mean, you two-”

“-Sat and talked for the entire time,” Jace finished for her. He reached out and touched her cheek, his eyes soft. “Just so you know, Allison isn't too pleased with being the tidbit her mother feeds to rich men.”

“So you didn't...” It was too much to hope for. Ella's heart pounded in her chest.

“No.” Jace took the champagne glass from her trembling fingers and set it on a table. She had only had a couple of sips, yet she felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Somehow, she was in his arms and dancing. She didn't remember him walking her to the dance floor, yet somehow they were there. It was magic.

The music floated around the two of them. Ella's dress swished against the floor as Jace led her in perfect rhythm. Despite not having danced since she was a child, Ella felt confident in Jace's arms. All the steps she once practiced with her father came tumbling back into place, smoother and more refined than she could have thought possible.

Her head spun, and not just with the twirls and dips. Jace wasn't cheating on his bride. He didn't sleep with Allison. Really, the fact that he was willing to pretend he did to help Allison only made him more attractive. He was a good guy in addition to being ridiculously good looking.

“So, what are you doing tonight?” Jace asked, pressing his cheek against Ella's as the song slowed. His freshly shaven cheek was smooth against hers and the smell of his aftershave enveloped her, making it hard to think.

“Dancing, apparently,” Ella managed to whisper. She shut her eyes, focusing only on the way Jace's arms felt around her. She was half afraid that if she opened them, she'd find this was a dream.

Jace chuckled, spinning her into a dip as the song ended.

Tags: Krista Lakes Billionaires and Brides Billionaire Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net