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‘But I’m only dancing the one dance for the charity.’
‘Oh, Logan, don’t be silly. You can’t stand out for the whole evening.’
‘Can’t I?’
‘Everyone else will be dancing. Your partner will expect you to dance with her. That’s what balls are all about.’
Exactly. And he’d been tardy about finding a partner for this function. Apart from the fact that he thought of it as an ordeal that had to be endured, he delayed his invitation because no one on his usual list of female companions hadfeltright. Carissa had rung on the weekend to warn him, somewhat heatedly, that he was running out of time.
Sally made a selection. A bright and modern and up-tempo sound erupted, filling the room with its brassy, foot-tapping beat.
Swaying and nodding in time to it, she sent him a cheeky grin. ‘What about trying a little of the old disco shuffle? Just to loosen up? You’ve been to nightclubs surely?’
‘Occasionally, but do they allow that kind of dancing at balls?’ He had to raise his voice to reach her above the thumping noise.
‘They certainly do in the bush. I know this is a sophisticated city event, but I’d be surprised if they didn’t include some modern music.’ Arms above her head, Sally jiggled and shook, making her bright curls bounce. ‘Come on, Logan. Let me see what you’ve got.’
He would have liked to simply stand there and watch Sally. She was so lively and pretty, so graceful and glowing. She shimmied up to him, swaying her lithe body and holding her hands out in front of her. ‘Just move. You can stay in one spot if you like, but get those feet going.’
Logan nodded his head and started to move self-consciously.
‘Close your eyes,’ she instructed. ‘Forget I’m here. Just listen to the music and feel that beat.’
It certainly helped to close his eyes. Without the distraction of Sally in front of him, he could hear the pumping rhythm, the throb of the base, pounding in time to his accelerated heartbeats.
‘Now let yourself go,’ Sally urged. ‘Loosen your shoulders and go with the flow.’
Her voice was surprisingly close and when he opened his eyes, he found her bobbing and swaying beside him. ‘Come on,’ she coaxed, with another glowing smile. ‘Forget you’re the boss and just hang loose.’
Taking his hands in hers, Sally drew him gently towards her. That did it. The temptation was too much. Forget dancing! Logan closed the gap between them, gathered Sally in and kissed her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SALLY stopped dancing. Her entire system stopped, stilled by the sweet shock of Logan’s lips touching hers.
A moment’s fear claimed her as she remembered that other time, thatotherman she’d danced with and that other kiss that had turned so quickly into a nightmare.
A wave of panic rose instinctively. But then, thankfully, reason kicked in.
This man wasn’t remotely like Kyle Francis.This was Logan, the man she’d been fantasising about for weeks now. She knew him well. She’d been alone with him many times. She’d met his grandmother, for heaven’s sake, and she really, really wanted his kiss.
Winding her arms about Logan’s neck, her hesitation dissolved. There was no more doubt, no fear – just an amazing melting happiness. Logan’s lips were tender and sensuous, his kiss unhurried, almost lazy, as if he knew her worst fears and how to allay them with one perfect, sensuous, dizzying kiss.
Twining his hand in her hair, he tilted her head back so that he could take the kiss deeper while his other hand supported the small of her back, holding her against him, which was just as well, because her body and her legs were melting faster than sugar in hot tea.
Never had she felt so safe, yet sexy. She wanted to wrap herself around Logan. She wanted to –
His body stiffened suddenly and he lifted his mouth from hers.
Dazed, disappointed, Sally blinked and saw that he was glaring in the direction of the door. Theopendoor.
The security guard was standing there, confusion and embarrassment in his eyes. He said something that they couldn’t hear above the blare of the music. Sally hurried to turn it off.
The sudden silence was shocking.
‘I – I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Black.’ The guard was red-faced as he scratched at the top of his bald head. ‘I heard the music and I thought some kids had broken in.’
Logan didn’t reply. He stood there, with his hands on his hips, staring with a narrowed, angry gaze in the direction of the door. Clearly, he hated this moment and it was Sally’s fault. She’d played the rowdy music. She’d taunted him with her come-and-get-me dancing.
