Suddenly, Garek wanted to laugh. Struggling to keep a straight face, he looked back at Ellie. “Then you’ll have to help me put it on, won’t you?”
Her radiant smile made the sacrifice worthwhile.
He pulled off his old tie, and bent his head so she could put the new one around his neck. His movement brought his face into close proximity with her bare shoulders and he inhaled the scent of the light perfume she wore. All desire to laugh disappeared. Straightening back up, he put his hands on her waist to steady her—or perhaps himself, he wasn’t sure.
Her waist felt tiny within the grasp of his hands. The tips of her breasts were only inches away from his chest. The slightest tug would pull her up against him…
“There you go.” She stepped back abruptly.
His hands fell to his sides and he looked down at the knot she’d tied with amazing speed and skill. “You’ve done this before.”
“I always tied my grandfather’s for him.” She sounded a little tense. “Let me get my coat and we can go.”
The club he took her to was small and dark and intimate. On the dance floor, she moved with a sensual Latin grace that sent his temperature soaring. Hecouldn’t take his eyes off her. The clinging blue dress made him want to run his hands from her shoulders down to her hips. He managed to restrain himself for at least an hour—until the band finally decreased the tempo and played a slow dance. He pulled her into his arms.
She hesitated; then, her arms lifted around his neckand she moved closer, her breasts pressing against his chest.
Missing a step, he steered her into another couple. He recovered quickly, however, and tightened his arms around her. His hands slid down over her hips. She made no objection, just squirmed closer.
He groaned. He was in heaven. And hell. He wanted to get the hell out of there, take her back to her apartment and—
“Garek,” she murmured.
“Hmm?”
“I know why you started the art foundation.”
He stiffened slightly. “You do?”
“Yes. I know you’re doing it for your sister.” She leaned back to smile at him. “Why didn’t you tell me? I think it was a very kind and generous thing to do.”
Garek stared into her shining eyes. “I’m a businessman,” he said. “I’m never kind or generous.”
Still smiling, she shook her head and rested her cheek against his shoulder. He looked down at her soft hair, a whirl of thoughts in his head. She didn’t believe him, obviously. What would she say, he wondered, if he told her that he had started the foundation only to annoy his sister, not to please her? What would she say if he told her he didn’t care at all about pleasing his sister; but that the idea of pleasing her was becoming more and more appealing?
Involuntarily, he tightened his arms around her. He’d drunk too much wine. That was why he was having these puerile thoughts…
A sudden, bright flash nearly blinded him. Blinking as his vision slowly cleared, Garek saw a man with a camera hurrying toward the door.
Annoyance raced through him, but then he sighed. Actually, he was surprised it hadn’t happened sooner.
“Hope you don’t mind having your picture in the paper,” he said lightly, glancing down at her.
Shock and dismay fluttered across he
r face. “Aren’t you going to try to stop him?”
“I can if you want me to.”
She nodded mutely.
He caught the man just as he was climbing into a car. After a brief scuffle, Garek managed to get the camera. As he stripped out the film, the photographer said, “Aw, give a guy a break. My editor said she’d give me a bonus if I got this picture.”
“Get the hell out of here,” Garek snapped. “Before I decide to take you apart, as well.”
The reporter gave Garek an appraising glance, then got in his car, apparently deciding retreat was in order. “Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he yelled out the window before driving off.
Garek made his way back into the restaurant.