Throughout the dance she’d shared with Luc, she had been aware of Diego’s eyes on them. Somehow knowing he’d been watching had excited her, though she was hard-pressed to understand why. It was as if she wanted Diego to know how Luc was making her feel…because she sensed that made Diego happy.
Which was bizarre, because she had no idea if that was true or not.
Diego took her into his arms, tugging her until her breasts were pressed firmly against his chest. He didn’t ask, didn’t hesitate. He simply took. While that idea should terrify her, it didn’t. Instead, he had a way of making her feel cherished, safe, protected.
Like Luc, Diego was a skilled dancer. With subtle pushes and pulls, he guided them, taking over so that she could just enjoy the moment.
“You liked Luc’s kiss.”
It wasn’t a question, but she answered anyway. “Yes.”
“I liked watching it.”
“I know,” she whispered.
“Do you understand now?”
It was a vague question, but Jeannette didn’t need clarification. She knew what he was alluding to. She nodded.
“You feel it to. I can see it in your eyes. Even though you’re dancing with me, focused just on me, you know he’s there watching us. It makes you hot and shivery inside, doesn’t it?”
She swallowed, struggling to find her voice. “It does, but—” She tried to stop herself, tried to beat back the fears. It appeared Nettie refused to go down without a fight.
“But nothing.” Diego tightened his grip. However, this time she couldn’t sink into the embrace. Her back stiffened as self-preservation and years of running away ganged up on her.
He loosened his hold, tipping her chin up, forcing her to face him. “We’re going to take this nice and slow, Jeannette. But we’re not stopping.”
“I can’t…do…” Again, the words died. She couldn’t go where they wanted to take her. But damn if she didn’t want them to try anyway.
“You can’t tonight. I can see that. But we’re not going to stop trying. We’ve got as many nights as we need, all the time in the world.”
She frowned and asked the question that had tormented her since they’d pulled her into the park and insisted on this date. “Why would you go to all that trouble?”
“If this weren’t our first date, I’d take you home and turn you over my knee for that. Even now, I’m sorely tempted.”
Had he seriously just threatened to spank her? And was she honestly disappointed he was resisting? God, this whole night was confusing. And maddening. And sexy as hell.
Regardless, her spine stiffened. “All I’m saying is, you and Luc could basically have your pick of women around here. I’m not sure why you’d want—”
Diego placed his finger over her lips. “I’m going to advise you to stop while you’re ahead. If I hear one more self-deprecating comment come out of those pretty lips of yours tonight, I won’t be held responsible for my actions. And believe me, angel, as much as you might want to tempt me on that, you aren’t ready for it.”
Jeannette wasn’t sure how to reply. Diego’s thumb stroked her lower lip, his gaze glued to her mouth like a starving man eyeing a steak.
Though the slow music continued to fill the air, couples swaying back and forth around them, neither of them moved. Instead, they stood there, on the edge of the floor, and looked at each other.
Diego didn’t seek to close the distance between them. In fact, it seemed as if he were waiting for something. Waiting for her.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He smiled at her request. He had been waiting for an invitation. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
Other Titles by Mari Carr
Trinity Masters:
Elemental Pleasure
Scorching Desire
Forbidden Legacy
Hidden Devotion
Elegant Seduction
Sparks in Texas:
Sparks Fly
Waiting for You
Something Sparked
Off Limits
Big Easy:
Blank Canvas
Crash Point
Full Position
Rough Draft
Triple Beat
Winner Takes All
Second Chances:
Fix You
Full Moon
Status Update
The Back-Up Plan
Never Been Kissed
Say Something
Compass Brothers:
Northern Exposure
Southern Comfort
Eastern Ambitions
Western Ties
Winter’s Thaw
Hope Springs
Summer Fling
Falling Softly
Individual Titles:
Assume the Positions
Erotic Research
Tequila Truth
Rough Cut
Happy Hour
Power Play
Slam Dunk
Just Because:
Because of You
Because You Love Me
Because It’s True
Cowboys:
Spitfire
Rekindled
Inflamed
Lowell High:
Mad about Meg
Bound by the Past
Covert Affairs
Wild Irish:
Come Monday
Ruby Tuesday
Waiting for Wednesday
Friday I’m in Love
Saturday Night Special
Any Given Sunday
Wild Irish Christmas
Wild Irish Boxed Set
June Girls:
No Recourse
No Regrets
Madison Girls:
Kiss Me, Kate
Three Reasons Why
Boys of Fall:
Free Agent
Red Zone
Wild Card
Scoundrels:
Black Jack
White Knight
Scoundrels Boxed Set
Foreign Affairs:
Princess
Cowboy
Master
Hands