26 #4
He looked beyond exquisite in his tuxedo.
Dani mused as to which Italian designer had made it; she knew his taste tended towards all things Italian.
He looked down at her, his eyes doing that intense staring thing that made her hot and bothered.
The band started with the introduction to the next song and Jerome brought her closer.
He placed his hand around her waist, his hot palm resting on the sheer gossamer.
Dani’s heart started pumping and her ears buzzed.
She really needed to calm down. The last thing she wanted to do was make a total fool of herself.
His neck pulsed, close to her cheek and she wondered what it would taste like if she just could lick it…
“I hope you didn’t mind.” His comment jolted her.
“Er, no.” Are you kidding me!
“It’s just I know, Seni.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“He’s been warned off you.”
What?
Dani pulled back and looked at Jerome clearly shocked. “Warned off me?” her voice a little higher, betraying her surprise.
Jerome smiled softly. “Yes. He knows he’s not supposed to hit on the staff. It can get very awkward.”
“Oh, I see.” Dani relaxed a little. “I don’t think he meant anything by it. He just asked me to dance and was being friendly.”
Jerome took a deep breath and smiled moving her fluidly around the dance floor as the singer sang ‘Kissing a Fool’.
“Maybe.” But something in his tone gave away that he thought there was more to Arsenio’s seemingly innocent gesture.
“Adam told me you came instead of Chloe.”
Dani tried to focus on what he was saying but she was preoccupied with the feel of his muscles working on his shoulders. He smelled good enough to eat.
“Er, yes. You saw Adam?” she managed to squeeze out, past her tightening throat.
His hand hot in hers and she readjusted her grip.
He flexed his long lean fingers over her hand sending a tremor through her now wired body.
The song was slower than the previous one, which meant they didn’t move around the dance floor as much.
“He was getting drinks at the bar,” Jerome continued. “He lost you for a bit.” His mouth lowered to her ear. “But then he spotted you with Seni.”
His chest rested against Dani and she took a sharp breath. Holy shit! They were getting closer with every second. She really needed to say something, anything.
“Are you here with Liz?” Dani asked quietly. That’s it, focus on the fact he’s married. Anything to stop focusing on the his delicious scent, a perfect mix of his preferred cologne, a faint smell of cigarette smoke and the distinct masculine smell of his skin…
Jerome cleared his throat nervously. “No, she stayed home.”
“Oh.” Good! Not cool Dani! She chastised herself. Her hand shifted and she became distracted by the firmness of his shoulders, his amazing hexagonal eyes, his sculptured mouth…
“Did you enjoy the dinner?”
What? Shit… get a grip!
“Er, yes.”
Jerome grinned, “When I saw the dessert menu, I thought of you.”
Dani pulled back to look at him, her face flushed. “You thought of me?” thrilled that she should even pass through his mind.
“Yeah, you’re the only woman I’ve ever seen openly enjoy her dessert. What did you have?”
Dani chuckled embarrassed by his accurate observation. “The lemon meringue tart but it was a hard decision.”
Jerome laughed, “I bet it was. I went for the dark chocolate Delice. It was very rich.”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t finish it?” Dani stared at him in mock horror.
“I just left a bit.” His soft laugh vibrating through his chest. “I’ll bring you it over, if it hasn’t been cleared away,” he teased.
“I hate having to choose just one dessert. I ate half of Adam’s rhubarb plate too.” Jerome shook his head and his eyes glowed. She really was quite beautiful, he thought.
The song came to an end and Jerome and Dani stood for a moment, still in each other’s arms. Then Dani reluctantly released herself from him.
“Thank you for the dance.”
“It was my pleasure. Let me take you back to Adam. I don’t want you being accosted by anyone else tonight.” His comment made Dani’s heart leap.
Adam was sitting at their table talking to the clients to his left as they approached the table. Jerome pulled out her chair for her to sit down.
“Oh, you’re back.” Adam turned to see who had escorted her to the table. “So you rescued her?” he smirked at Jerome.
“Yeah, something like that.” He glanced down at Dani and showed a small smile. “Well enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“Thanks, you too.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jerome turned his gaze back to Dani and she tilted her head to look up at him.
“Yes, and thanks again.”
Jerome turned and walked away and Dani stared after him a little dazed.
“Here’s your drink.” Adam passed it to her and watched her take a large gulp. “Are you okay? You look flushed.”
Dani nodded. “Hot… with the dancing,” she explained. Adam sucked on his teeth, totally unconvinced that that was the reason and was about to say something when his attention was distracted by Thomas.
Dani sat looking at her coffee cup, which had replaced her empty dessert plate.
Her crush was getting worse. She just hoped no one had realised, especially Jerome.
She scooted forward and tried hard not to scan the room for Jerome’s table.
The man next to her made some comment about the weather and she politely listened and let him carry on talking about their impending holidays.
Needing to get out of there she excused herself and went in search of the rest rooms. She felt giddy from the dancing and a combination of champagne, numerous glasses of wine and tequila, mixed with the intoxicating scent of Jerome.