Page 2 of The Devil and the Dancer
He couldn’t buy her.
He couldn’t barter for her.
He wanted to seduce her—fucking hell, he wanted to seduce her.
But more, he wanted her to behis. Of her own choice. He wanted her to come to him, surrender, throw her lot into the darkness with him.
In the year since they’d met, her surrender had become his singular desire.
But it had to be her own.
So he became the patient suitor. He took her to shows and dinners and parties. He gave her a safe room in his home. Ever the gentleman, he demanded nothing but made it clear she could take anything she wanted.
Gavin was starting to believe they would never move past the strange neutral zone they existed in. The thought made him edgy. He was a patient predator, but he needed an end in sight. He needed to make her… just a little uncomfortable.
It was a risk, but one he felt he had to take. After all, Gavin Wallace was a genius at knowing what people needed. And though he knew Chloe needed time and space, he fervently believed she also needed something else.
She needed him.
She feltGavin’s eyes on her back as they walked from the pub to the corner where he had a car waiting, and Chloe would be lying if the idea didn’t put just a little more sway in her hips. In the year since they’d met, the idea of his eyes on her had become welcome. Enticing instead of intimidating.
“Your rehearsal is at what time tomorrow?” Gavin’s right hand came to the small of her back. His left reached for the messenger bag she carried, which he slipped off her shoulder and slung over his.
“Eleven. I can carry that, you know.”
“But why not let me?” He brushed a kiss across her temple as he walked beside her. “Good. You can get six hours in tonight and take a nap in the afternoon.”
“Is Veronica working tomorrow?”
“I believe so, but you know she won’t bother you unless you need something.”
Veronica was Gavin’s house manager, his day person, and an utter and complete professional. Chloe found her competence a tad intimidating even if Veronica was polite at all times.
All of Gavin’s people were professionals, from Veronica to the security crew she’d met, his business manager to his sommelier. They were all professionals. Gavin surrounded himself with professionals.
If it weren’t for her, Ben, and Tenzin, Chloe wondered if he’d interact with anyone he didn’t employ.
“Did you see the invitation from Cormac?” Chloe asked.
“I did.”
She watched him from the corner of her eye. “Did anything seem strange about it to you?”
The corner of his mouth turned up. “No.”
“It was addressed to both of us.”
His fingers curled into her back. “Because I believe he wants both of us to attend the reception.”
“It was addressed to both of us at your address.”
He paused and nudged her to stand in front of him, pressing her closer. “Is that a problem?”
“I don’t know.” Was it? It seemed like everyone knew she stayed with Gavin regularly, and as far as Chloe knew, she was his only regular social companion. She was his plus-one. And if she couldn’t attend something with him, he went alone. “It’s fine,” she whispered.
He angled his head and bent down. “Good.” His lips moved softly over the arch of her cheek. “You smell lovely tonight.”
“I spilled Knob Creek on my shirt.”
