Chapter 6 : The Dance.

Hours later, dressed in the black gown, her hair cascading over one shoulder, Irina stepped into the grand ballroom of the charity gala.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.

Music drifted through the room.

Elegant couples moved gracefully across polished marble floors.

It was beautiful.

Yet her eyes instinctively searched the crowd.

Looking for someone.

Someone she absolutely wasn’t interested in.

Someone she definitely wasn’t thinking about.

Someone she found almost immediately.

Kyle George.

Standing near the center of the ballroom.

As though he had been waiting for her.

And the moment their eyes met…

He smiled.

A slow smile.

A dangerous smile.

One that made her stomach flutter despite every warning her heart was trying to give her.

And for the first time that evening—

Kyle forgot every conversation around him.

Because Irina Solace had just walked into the room.

And she was breathtaking.

The moment Kyle saw her, the entire ballroom disappeared.

The conversations.

The music.

The flashing cameras.

Everything.

Gone.

All he could see was Irina.

The black gown hugged her figure elegantly, while her dark hair cascaded over one shoulder in soft waves.

She looked beautiful.

No.

Beautiful wasn’t enough.

She looked unforgettable.

For the first time in his life, Kyle George found himself staring.

And he wasn’t ashamed of it.

Meanwhile, Irina silently cursed herself.

Because her heart had just skipped.

Again.

“Miss Solace.”

His deep voice reached her before he did.

She slowly turned.

Trying her best to appear unaffected.

“Kyle.”

The smile that appeared on his face made her immediately regret saying his name.

He seemed to enjoy hearing it.

Far too much.

“You came.”

The words sounded strangely sincere.

Irina raised an eyebrow.

“Wasn’t that the point of the invitation?”

A laugh escaped him.

God.

Even his laugh was attractive.

This man was becoming a problem.

A very serious problem.

“Would you like a drink?” Kyle asked.

“Trying to bribe me?”

“Maybe.”

“You should know I can’t be bought.”

His eyes sparkled.

“Good.”

The answer surprised her.

Most wealthy men enjoyed flaunting their money.

Kyle seemed entirely uninterested in doing so.

And somehow that made him even more dangerous.

A waiter passed by carrying champagne.

Kyle took two glasses.

Offering one to her.

Their fingers brushed.

Just barely.

Yet the contact sent a strange warmth through her.

She hated that she noticed.

She hated it even more when Kyle noticed too.

Neither mentioned it.

Instead they moved toward one of the quieter corners of the ballroom.

For several minutes they simply talked.

About work.

Travel.

Books.

Anything.

Everything.

The conversation flowed effortlessly.

As though they had known each other far longer than a few days.

At some point Irina realized something unsettling.

She was enjoying herself.

Truly enjoying herself.

Not pretending.

Not forcing a smile.

Actually enjoying herself.

The realization scared her.

Because she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this comfortable around a man.

Kyle noticed her sudden silence.

“What are you thinking about?”

Irina looked away.

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

Her eyes widened.

“Excuse me?”

He smiled.

“Whenever you’re thinking too hard, you tilt your head slightly.”

For a moment she simply stared at him.

“When did you notice that?”

Kyle looked entirely unapologetic.

“I pay attention.”

The answer did something strange to her chest.

Before she could respond, the orchestra suddenly began playing a slower song.

Around them, couples started moving toward the dance floor.

Irina immediately looked anywhere except Kyle.

Unfortunately, Kyle noticed.

And smiled.

Oh no.

Absolutely not.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Whatever you’re about to ask.”

His smile grew.

“I haven’t asked anything yet.”

“You were going to.”

“Maybe.”

“No.”

Kyle laughed.

The sound sent warmth through her despite herself.

Then he held out his hand.

“Dance with me.”

“There it is.”

“I was beginning to think you’d never let me ask.”

Irina looked at his hand.

Then at him.

Then back at his hand.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Because part of her wanted to say yes.

A very foolish part.

The same part that had spent far too much time thinking about him this evening.

“Kyle…”

“One dance.”

His voice softened.

“No hidden agenda.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t believe that.”

“Fair.”

His honesty made her laugh.

And that was her mistake.

The moment she laughed, Kyle knew he was winning.

Slowly, reluctantly, Irina placed her hand in his.

A look of triumph flashed across his face.

She immediately wanted to take it back.

Too late.

Kyle gently led her onto the dance floor.

The music swelled around them.

One hand settled carefully against her waist.

The other held hers.

Neither spoke.

Neither seemed capable of speaking.

Because suddenly…

They were standing much closer than before.

Close enough to notice details.

The faint scent of his cologne.

The warmth of her skin.

The way her eyes seemed greener beneath the ballroom lights.

For a brief moment the rest of the world disappeared.

And neither one wanted it back.