Page 71 of Trapped By Clocks and Hearts

Before I broke the stem of the delicate glass in my hand in frustration, I set my drink down.

To hell with it.

My eyes pinned solely on Allie, I stalked toward the middle of the dance floor. The ballroom could have been filled with twice as many people. I would only have seen her.

The crowds parted instantly to give me a wide berth. Nobody missed my approach, except Allie.

Belatedly noticing her partner had stopped dancing, Allie paused in mid-whirl. Catching sight of my forbidding form right behind her, her gasp caught in her throat once again. Surprised, she straightened up. “Rabb, what—?”

I cut her off. “Come with me.”

Blinking, Allie bit her lip but she merely turned to give her current oaf an apologetic look before turning on her heels to follow me across the room.

Stopping near the edge of the dance floor, I held my hand out to her. “Take my hand.”

Her hand was warm when she placed it in mine. Giving her a slight tug closer, I propped my other hand on her lower back just as the strains of music began.

I wasn’t meant to interfere.

But, I rationalized, it was just one dance…

An eerie orchestral waltz reverberated within the hall from the masked musicians and I took one step to gently lead Allie, gliding to one side in a box step, in time to the lilting rhythm of the three-beat measure.

Forward step, side step, close step, backward step…and then again.

Her honey-brown gaze never left mine as we swept across the floor in a continuous rotation.

The skirt of Allie’s gown flowing behind her, she moved gracefully as I led with each step. Her hair fluttered as she swayed from side to side, around me.

All I needed to do was make it look like I already had her favor to intimidate the rest of her prospective suitors. When I shifted my hands on her back, inwardly I reveled in the gratifying sense that Allie wasn’t pulling away from my notably possessive hold.

Allie’s gaze on me was almost imploring, tentative.

But above all, always curious.

When she gently interlaced her fingers with mine, the length of my arm tingled.

As the enchanting music swelled, I twirled her out and when I pulled her back against me—too close, her warm breath grazed my cheek. Her intoxicating fragrance filled my lungs. Allie’s cheeks tinged pink. I couldn’t help my gaze dropping to those sweet, red lips.

I started to ache.

To want.

Blinking quickly to clear my head at the dangerous thoughts, I pulled back again. Making sure to keep a good distance from the warmth of her body, we danced until the soft strains of ominous music faded away.

Just one dance.

I dropped her arms unceremoniously and spun to leave. Regret weighed on my chest in an instant. I’d made a bargain that I wouldn’t interfere. The Queen would have my head. My mind raged in near helpless frustration. She was never going to be mine anyway. Could I sacrifice Allie to the Queen’s evil plot? In exchange for my survival? My freedom?

I climbed up the stairs. I had no desire to stay at the ball any longer. I didn’t want to stand and watch Allie meet and dance with more suitable royals seeking to wed her.

In my haste to leave, I must have missed Allie’s withdrawal from the ball. She was clattering up the stairs to follow me. Turning in surprise, I paused in mid-stride.

Allie stopped by the upstairs railing. “Rabb, are you okay?” She peered at me, that crease of concern back on her forehead.

Still frustrated, I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I thought I had to interrupt you. I can’t explain right now but—”

She waved my explanation away. “Oh, no, please, it was fine,” she assured. “You actually saved me from trying to find an excuse to get away.” A sheepish smile came to her face. “It was amusing for a start. Everyone was so friendly. But to be honest, this really isn’t my kind of…occasion.”