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I look over her shoulder at Noah. He gives me the signal that it’s time to call it a night. I check the clock mounted on the far wall and see it’s getting pretty late.

Regretfully, I nod at the orchestra, and they begin winding the music down. I give Ace one last spin, then dip her without warning, my hand still firm on her spine, the other locked with hers.

It’s a deep lean, the kind that requires trust, and she doesn’t scramble or tense. She simply arches back gracefully with a smile that could blind the sun.

Plamyashka moyo..

My little flame.

And I am, apparently, exactly the kind of fool who flies straight toward one.

The music comes to an end as I bring her back upright. “How was that?”

Her response is drowned out by thundering applause, and I glance around, surprised to see we have the full attention of the deck.

“Seems we gave them a show.” I grin down at Ace, whose cheeks are almost as red as her hair.

The more I get to know her, the more the nickname I gave her seems to fit her. As well as the nickname her friend gave her. Somehow, she doesn’t look like a Laura. The name doesn’t fit her personality.

“I—uh. I’m going to need a moment,” she whispers.

“What? Don’t tell me you’re shy all of a sudden,” I tease.

“I don’t do well with being the center of attention,” she mutters, ducking her face into the side of my neck. Her hot breath fans my skin and makes my cock throb. Fuck. My palm flexes against the small of her back.

“Then why don’t you go to the bar while I dismiss everyone?”

Her head lifts. “Dismiss everyone? The expo is over? Already?”

“It was over the moment dinner ended. But glad to see you’ve enjoyed my company.” I nod at Noah, signaling for him to start herding the crowd out. While he handles that, I lead Ace toward the bar.

“Oh, I should probably leave with the others,” she stumbles.

I stop walking and look down at her. “Stay.”

Her eyes move through a mixture of longing, desire, hesitation… and fear.

That last one makes me frown. She has no reason to be afraid of me. As far as I can tell, she has no idea who I am beyond what’s on the company website. So what exactly is she afraid of?

“I don’t know…” she says, trailing off.

Oh, you know exactly what you want—is what I want to say, but I’ve managed to hold back my darker urges all night. There’s no point in giving up now and scaring away my little flame.

“I want you to stay, Ace. But it’s your choice.”

She dips her head, thinking it through as I bite down on my tongue and try hard to resist my primal desires.

That only lasts as long as it takes to reach the bar.

“I—” she starts.

I don’t let her finish.

Wrapping my hands around her waist, I lift her onto one of the stools, then I step in between her legs and drag the tip of my nose through her hair, the citrusy scent of her shampoo making me hard all over again.

“Tell you what,” I rumble. “You sit here while I say my goodbyes. Use the time to think about my offer. If you’re still not sure when I get back, you can leave.” My lips graze the shell of her ear, and she shudders, inhaling sharply. “But I’d rather you stay.”

I don’t try to hide the lust in my eyes as I pull back and stare her down.