Pushed

Chapter 7

When the lastcourse was finished and the tables were being cleared, I leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Come on, Princess. Let’s eliminate any doubt.” I stood and held out my hand to Aurora. She looked at me with her brows raised.

“First, stop calling me Princess.” She withheld her hand, her chin lifted in defiance.

“That wasn’t in the rules.” I glanced over at the band playing. “I believe they’re playing our song.”

She paused for a moment, listening to the music. It was an orchestral rendition of “Dancing Queen.” Her eyes flashed with amusement, but she remained in her chair.

“If not my princess, will you be my dancing queen?” I teased.

She rolled her eyes, and I sensed she needed just a little push and she’d give in.

“Come on, Aurora. I’m dying to show off my dance moves with my dear, sweet fiancée.”

She sighed, knowing she couldn’t argue with that. The dance floor would be the perfect stage for our act. “I guess it’s showtime.” She allowed me to lead her to the dance floor with a pained expression on her face.

“You never know. You just might like it.”

“I might like singing in the shower, but that doesn’t mean I’ll quit my day job to join American Idol.”

“Maybe not, but if you need a judge, I’d be happy to volunteer.” I lifted my brows flirtatiously.

“You’re incorrigible.” She playfully smacked me on the arm. “Don’t push it, Casanova. I’m already doing you a huge favor.”

Placing one hand on her upper back, behind her shoulder, and the other clasping her hand, I spun her around and led her in a cha-cha. We moved as one, keeping the appropriate distance between us, and maintaining eye contact throughout the entire dance.

When the dance ended, she looked up at me with her eyes sparkling and her face flushed. “You’ve got some moves. I’m impressed.”

“We’re just getting started.”

“And here I thought this was going to be a stuffy schmooze-fest.”

“Did you say schmooze-fest, or snooze-fest?”

She chuckled. “Probably both.”

“You’re right. And it definitely would have been both if fate hadn’t intervened and seated us next to each other.” Thank you, fate. I’d never been a big believer in destiny or soulmates, but holding Aurora in my arms tonight, I could easily be swayed.

She points a finger in my face. “Don’t forget our deal. One pretend evening. No attachments.”

Why did I agree to that?

Because even a fake date with her was better than nothing.

“Of course, Princess. Whatever you say.” I took her hand and pulled her to my chest as the band began to play a slow song. “But don’t you forget…we’re engaged.” I looked at my watch. “At least for a few more hours.” I hummed along to Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love with You,” knowing that was exactly what was happening.

Even though the music was slower, and we were barely moving, my heart rate didn’t settle. In fact, it raced. Holding her to my chest, smelling the sweet fragrance of her hair, and feeling her warmth and softness beneath my hands—there was something about this woman. And I’d definitely need more than a few hours to figure out what it was.

We were so in sync as we danced, you’d think we’d been doing it all our lives. I lifted my arm above her head and twirled her, then pulled her close. Our eyes locked, our faces just a breath apart. Time seemed to stand still as the rest of the world disappeared. Then I spun her away from me again.

Never had I experienced such an impassioned connection, nor expressed it in such a sizzling public display. But to be honest, I’d forgotten about everyone else in that ballroom the moment we began to move together. Nothing existed but us. At least until the music changed and the crowd around us erupted in claps and cheers.

I took a step back, trying to gain a bit of composure and control, but I still couldn’t take my eyes off her. Breathless and completely bewitching. Needing to get a grip, I cleared my throat. “How about I get us some drinks? I’m suddenly parched.”

She fanned her hand in front of her face. “Sure. It is a bit warm in here. I could use a cold drink myself.”

Warm was an understatement. Being that close to her, I felt like I could spontaneously combust at any moment. The urge to strip off a couple layers of clothing was tempting. I loosened my tie, but that didn’t help.

I guided her to our table and went to the bar to get our drinks.

“Looking good out there, Rhodes. Who’s the babe?” A former colleague, Neill Thatcher, sidled up next to me, his eyes on Aurora. My body tensed with a sudden protective and possessive caveman urge to carry her out of here so no other men could so much as look at her.

It would have been so simple to tell him I’d just met Aurora. But the need to stake my claim was too strong. I didn’t want this lecherous snake anywhere near her. “That’s my fiancée you’re ogling, Thatcher. Stay away from her.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re engaged? And to a woman like that? How’d you ever manage that?” He laughed.

My feelings for Aurora were a little too close to the surface, but I couldn’t let this jerk see them. So I did what I do best, and made a joke of it. “Eh, I might have hypnotized her into thinking I was the best thing since sliced bread. But something went awry and every time she so much as thinks about bread, she squawks like a chicken.”

He chuckled, “Ach, who needs bread when you got a woman like that?”

“Ain’t that the truth?”

“Well, congratulations.” He laughed and slapped me on the shoulder. “If the spell wears off, I’d be happy to step in.”

That surge of caveman protectiveness also made me want to plant my fist in his smarmy face. But I held back, no small feat. My restraint deserved a medal. “Not a chance.” I glared at him before grabbing the glasses the bartender had set in front of me and made a beeline back to my fiancée. Fake fiancée, that is.

If I only had one evening with this magnificent woman, I didn’t want to waste a minute of it.

Was it possible to squeeze a lifetime into a couple of hours?

Probably not.

What was I going to do? For the first time in my life, I’d met someone who rocked my world, and I would only get one evening.

Just make sure you rock her world just as much. Maybe she’ll change the rules.

I could do that. I was always looking for a challenge, and I had a feeling the stunning Miss Aurora would be that. And more.

Back at our table, I handed Aurora her drink. For the rest of the evening, we talked, danced, joked, and flirted—effortlessly playing the smitten couple. She was funny with a dry sort of wit and really knew her food and wine. She was smart, too, sharp and observant, paying attention to details and nuances throughout our game of pretend. She met me at every turn with a bold intelligence that hit me like an arrow through the heart. Her icy facade from earlier melted entirely away. She even flirted, reprimanding me with her words then giving me a wink that seemed like an invitation. By the end of the night, I was ready to give her everything. Forget the fake engagement. I wasn’t playing anymore. If I ever had been.

It was close to midnight, and we were standing on the edge of the dance floor catching our breath, when someone bumped into Aurora from behind, pushing her into me. She landed with her hands on my chest. I caught her and held her to me. As our eyes locked, the rest of the world ceased to exist. I leaned in to kiss her, my heart slamming in my chest. She leaned in as well, so close her breath tickled my whiskers.

All of a sudden, she pushed off from my chest and backed away. “Uh, sorry, I have to go.” She bolted from the banquet hall like her hair was on fire. I was stunned for a moment and then ran to catch up with her.

What had gone wrong? Had I done something to scare or offend her?

All I knew was that I didn’t want her to get away. Not without getting her to break her rule and give me her number. Why did I ever agree to those terms?

Of course, the one and only woman to steal my heart at first glance had to run like a freaking gazelle. How could she move so fast in those heels?

By the time I wove my way through the crowded ballroom and down the elevator, I reached the sidewalk just in time to see her slip into a cab and drive away. Taking my heart with her… destination unknown.