Page 3 of Risk It All
He shrugs. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”
I grow suspicious. “Try me.”
“Dance with me first.”
Curiosity has always been my Achilles heel. It serves me well as an investigative journalist, but on occasion, it gets me in trouble. Chances are, it is going to get me in trouble now, because my curiosity is piqued and my conviction not to dance waivers.
“One dance?”
He nods. “One dance.”
Max Delecoeur
The woman is right.I am arrogant and nearly always get my way. But I'm not malicious or shallow. She put up resistance, but I won. The captivating Madeleine Hainsworth is in my arms even if she doesn't want to be. For now, that is enough.
“Would it be rakish of me to ask if you're enjoying the evening?”
She glares at me. “It's a lovely event, as charity benefits go.” Her voice is dull, disinterested, but I’m not giving up on changing her mind about me yet.
I smile, hoping it will disarm her. For a moment, I think I see a flicker of interest in her hazel eyes, but she's doing her damnedest to resist it.
“You mean, despite the arrogant rich men?” I ask.
This time she winces and looks away. I don't push and instead let the music guide us around the room. She feels perfect in my arms. She's tall, with curves in all the right places. She moves like a dancer, smooth and graceful.
“So?” Her hard, hazel eyes stare at me again.
“So, what?” My hand gently presses against her back to pull her closer. God, she smells divine. A mix of sweet and exotic. I'm nearly drunk with it.
“Why did you want to dance with me?”
I look down at her, trying to not think about pulling the pins from her hair so I can run my fingers through the auburn tresses. Or about kissing her lips that are only a tilt of my head away from mine. I laugh inwardly at my adolescent libidinous thoughts. It has been a long time since a woman has captivated me that way, especially one who clearly doesn't like me. Even so, it makes me feel alive in a way I haven't in a long time. I miss that feeling. Perhaps Madeleine Hainsworth is the key to fixing the lack of adventure in my life.
“Do you believe in destiny?”
“Destiny?” Her eyes narrow.
I nod.
“You got me.” She pulls away. “I fell for that 'wouldn't believe me line' but I'm not going to fall for my being your destiny.”
“I didn't say you were.” I pull her back into my arms. I'm not ready to let her go.
“Then why bring it up?”
I give her a coy smile and look into her suspicious eyes, flickering green with annoyance. I can't help but poke at her so I can see that sexy flash of heat in her eyes. “Because you're beautiful when you're mad.”
She rolls her eyes. “Listen, Mr. Delecoeur, this is—”
“Max.”
“What?”
“You can call me Max.”
“This is not going well, Max.”
“And yet, here we are, still dancing.” I grin at her.
