The two men gloweredat each other for a moment, and Chantelle had a sinking feeling thatthere was going to be bloodshed. To avoid that, she tugged at Kenjiand pulled him away.
“How dare you.”She hissed, her lips parting in a forced smile.
“I asked himnicely.” His arms came around her, and to his delight andpleasure, he encountered bare skin. Her hands curled into his jacketas he brought her flushed against him. “Love the dress.”
“As soon as thesong is over, I’m going back to my date."
"What does hehave that I don't?" He looked down at her, eyes going to herlips. "I asked you to come to me, and you didn't."
"I suppose it’sa shock to the system to know that there’s one woman who isn’tenraptured by you." She said scathingly, trying to ease awayfrom him, but he held her fast.
"You thinkthat's it?" He asked her mildly. "Perhaps you’reright. Why don't we go back to your office and see if we can workthings out."
Her eyes glinted. "Ihappen to be here with a date, and so do you. You might not respectthat, but I do."
"I want you."He told her softly. "I’ve tried to stay away from you, butit's not working."
"Let me guess-“she said sweetly, ignoring the thumping of her heart. “Youusually get what you want.”
“Something likethat.”
“I’mgoing to have to disappoint you."
His hand tightened ather back, and she could feel his fingers stroking the skin.
"Let me go."
"You can’tdeny what you feel."
She had to escape, orshe would end up disgracing herself. "From what I’ve readabout you, it seems like you’re quite experienced."
She forced thesarcasm into her voice. "You’re also a very attractive manand, as I’m not made of stone, I reacted to you how any womanwould. That's it. Other than that, my opinion of you is very low. Nowlet go of me."
For one frighteningmoment, he looked as if he was going to refuse. His dark eyes boredinto hers, his long, lean body pressed against hers, making heracutely aware of him. She was about to beg him to let her go when hisarm loosened from around her waist. Stepping back, he gave a curt nodbefore turning on his heels and walking away.
She fled. She had noidea what it looked like, but she didn’t care. Making her waythrough the throng of people, she hurried to her office, not stoppinguntil she’d entered and closed the doors behind her.
Her chest washeaving, and her skin was hot. Going behind her desk, she sank downand kicked off her shoes, curling her feet beneath her. So, shewanted him. She was smart enough to face facts.
Hopefully, she’dinsulted him enough for him to stay away from her. She couldn’tafford to get involved with someone like him. Caleb was right. He hada lot of complications going on in his life, and, for Christ's sake,he was Kenji Lee.
He wasn’ther type, and she wasn’t his. He’d almost created a sceneout there on the dancefloor, and she wasn’t sure the manyreporters there hadn’t captured the entertainment. He’dlooked as if he would have gladly mowed Caleb down.
He was entitled andspoiled, used to getting his own way. He’d decided that hewanted to have sex with her and was annoyed that she was putting upresistance. Men like him always get what they want. Closing her eyes,she leaned back and took a deep breath.
He had spoiled it forher, damn him. This was supposed to be her night. She’d beenworking fiendishly ever since she came on board to make a success ofthis evening, and everything had been going so well, until he decidedto spoil it.
She was determinednot to cry. She’d take a moment to compose herself and then goback out. She was required to be out there, and all she had to do wasjust ignore him. The place was large enough for her to accomplishthat.
*****
"It's quite asuccess." Kelly swayed in her husband's arms, loving the feel ofhis lean muscled body against hers. It still marveled her that thiscomplex and beautiful man belonged to her.
She’d fought toget him to admit that the feeling was mutual, and even when he had,and he’d taken her to his bed, he didn’t want to getmarried, at least not to her. Now they were joined forever, and,despite their different interests and their hectic lifestyle, thebond was there.
"It is."Bending his head, he brushed his lips against hers, ignoring the eyesstaring at them. His eyes scanned the crowd to latch onto his cousin,who was guzzling champagne.
"I think hemight be getting drunk."