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Chest swelling, he threaded his fingers through hers. “Would you care to dance?” He set his glass on the tray of a server passing by.
She squeezed his hand. “Yes, please.”
He nudged her toward the dance floor, pulse racing. Trisha Yearwood’s song “How Do I Live” floated through the air. His fingers meshed at the small of her back. “Impeccable timing. My well of polite chit-chat had run dry.”
Her let-me-get-my-bearings air captivated him. Content at last, he drank in her appearance. The earrings he’d given her were the only jewelry she wore. His knees turned to putty as they stepped and swayed to the music. When the song ended, he whispered, “You look enchanting tonight.”
“Thanks,” she murmured dryly. “I had hordes of help.”
He touched her hair. “I love it.”
“A princess cartoon inspired it.” Her smile turned impish. “You’re quite dashing yourself. Glad I didn’t miss this.”
When her hands encircled his waist, he couldn’t resist touching her bare shoulders, then rested his hands on the little pretend sleeves. Soft, shimmery fabric snugged around her hourglass figure. A woman stood before him tonight, not a shade of dollish girl anywhere.
Her perfume wafted over him. She swayed in rhythm with him, as if they’d danced together for years.
He peered around the swishy skirt to her feet. “I spy high heels and pretty toes. Where’s the boot?”
Vi lifted a delicate shoulder. “It didn’t go with the dress.”
Rory mustered a serious look. “You know what no-boot means, don’t you?”
“No. Tell me.”
“You’ll have to hang on to me for support all evening long.”
“That’s my plan.” Her eyes twinkled. “I came for one reason, Rory.”
The song had ended, but he enjoyed holding her too much to let go. “I know. And I appreciate it.” He brushed his lips across her forehead.
As Rory guided her off the dance floor, she lifted the snazzy braid off her neck. What? A hummingbird tattoo peeked at him from between her shoulders. Small. Colorful. A dash of sass, reminiscent of its owner. Bubbles of laughter rose in his throat, rolling out into a grin.
Then a chill darted up his spine along with the feeling of being watched. Glancing around the room, he found the source and nearly stumbled.
Stella.
Dressed in a flashy black gown with bright red lipstick, she looked straight out of a fairy tale cartoon herself—only he’d cast her as a villain. Malice vibrated off every cold feature as she stared at him. Rory spared her a curt nod, then led Vi to his table.
Placing an arm around Vi’s shoulders, Rory introduced her to his business acquaintances. Vindication replaced the emptiness Stella had left as Vi shook hands and accepted hugs from strangers. Respect for her puffed his chest. He alone knew she was light years out of her comfort zone.
The evening evolved into a charming routine. Rory networked and traded business cards while Vi chatted with wives, girlfriends, and female business owners. He heard her describe Peeps in glowing terms more than once, inviting women to sign up for massages. When her smile grew tight, he’d usher her away to sit for a while. Or they would escape to the dance floor.
Pure heaven—if not for Stella glowering at him. Rory sloughed off her murderous looks. He moved from side to side with Vi as the band played another lazy love song. Her head on his shoulder, her scent … slow dances were the best. “How’s the ankle?”
“It’s giving out,” she admitted. “As long as you hold me, I’m good.” Her smile etched into his heart, an echo of the achingly sweet music.
He tightened his arms around her. “Not a problem, because I’m never letting go.”
She looked beyond him. “All the tables along the walls—are those the charities?”
“Yep. I usually do a sweep after the speeches. You up for it?”
“If it means I can talk to real people, then by all means.” She grinned wickedly.
Rory grinned back. “No promises, Red.”
At long last, the host announced dinner. As they ate pecan-crusted chicken and steak, Rory didn’t snub his tablemates, but neither did he feel obligated to take part in any of their conversations. Call him partial, but he preferred quietly chatting with Vi. His chest buoyed with lightness. Her presence brought a peace he’d never experienced with a woman.
