Tender Kisses. Sheryl Lister

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СКАЧАТЬ the oldest...and putting out fires.”

      Siobhan laughed.

      “Maybe we can swap stories over coffee or dinner.”

      Her laughter faded. “Um, I don’t have time to date.”

      “Why not? You’re a beautiful woman. I’m sure there are men lined up waiting to take you out.”

      She laughed him off. But in reality, over the past two years, the only men who seemed remotely interested in her had ulterior motives. “I think the song is over.” Actually, they had danced through at least three. “Thank you for the dance, Justin.” She turned to walk away, and he caught her hand.

      “May I buy you a drink?”

      “No, thank you. Have a good evening.” She wove her way through the crowd of people who flooded the dance floor in response to the sounds of a popular tune now playing. Siobhan exited the ballroom and ducked into the nearest bathroom. Her heart raced, and her hands shook.

      She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Obviously, the loose-fitting dress she had deliberately chosen to keep men at bay hadn’t deterred Justin. All while they danced, his gaze never left hers. At one point, he stared at her as if she were his favorite dessert, and for a moment, she allowed the thought to play around in her mind. Heat rose in her cheeks, and she fanned herself in an effort to cool off. Where in the world had that thought come from? Siobhan smoothed down the front of her gown, took a deep breath and left the bathroom. Rounding the corner, she hit a solid mass. Strong arms steadied her.

      “Are you okay, Siobhan?” Justin asked, still holding her.

      “Yes. Fine. Sorry—I wasn’t watching where I was going. Thanks for the save. I need to speak to my friends before they leave.”

      “You’re welcome. I’ll walk you over.”

      “Huh? Oh, you don’t need to do that. I’m sure there are some other people who you probably want to talk to about your products.”

      A lazy grin curved his mouth. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

      Yes! “No, nothing like that. I—”

      “Glad to hear it.” He extended his arm.

      Sighing inwardly, Siobhan hooked her arm in his and let him escort her back to the ballroom and over to her two friends and their husbands. She made introductions, and the men struck up a conversation.

      Kendra pulled Siobhan to the side. “Girl, you’d better snap up all that fine dark chocolate before some other woman does.”

      Cynthia giggled and nodded her head enthusiastically. “I agree. You two looked so good dancing together.”

      “I see some gorgeous godchildren in my future,” Kendra added.

      Siobhan snapped her head around. “Wait—what? Hold up a minute. Nobody’s having anybody’s babies,” she whispered tersely.

      “Siobhan?” Justin touched her arm.

      Glaring at Kendra once more, she turned. “Yes, Justin,” she said pleasantly.

      “I need to talk to someone real quick. Will you save me one more dance?”

      As much as she wanted to tell him no, with everyone staring at her, she couldn’t. “Sure.”

      He clasped her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”

      His heated gaze caused Siobhan’s breath to stall in her lungs. He smiled then sauntered off with the sexiest walk she had ever seen on a man. She didn’t realize she had been holding her breath until Cynthia’s voice broke through her thoughts.

      “Girl,” she said slowly, “do not let that man get away. I don’t care if he’s pitching an idea or not.”

      “Amen, sister. Amen,” Kendra said, shaking her head. “He looks like a man who could curl your toes in the bedroom.”

      Siobhan’s gaze followed Justin until he disappeared in the crowd. She could still feel the tingling in her palm and rubbed her other hand over the spot, hoping to erase the feeling. “The only thing he’s getting is that one dance. Nothing more.”

      True to his word, Justin returned a while later for the dance. Siobhan steeled herself against the unwanted sensations that coursed through her when he wrapped his arm around her waist and moved his body close to hers. She silently prayed for the song to end, although this time for a different reason. Everything about this man turned her on, and she didn’t want to be turned on. Before the last note faded away, she backed out of his arms. “I think I’m going to call it a night. It was very nice to meet you, Justin.”

      “I’ll walk you out.” Without waiting for her response, Justin entwined their fingers and led her out and toward the front of the hotel. “Did you valet park?”

      “Yes.” She tried to disengage their hands, but he tightened his grip and kept walking. “Justin, you really don’t have to walk me out.”

      A sexy grin tipped the corners of Justin’s mouth. “If I don’t walk you out, I can’t persuade you to meet me for coffee tomorrow.”

      “I told you already that I’m busy and don’t have time to date.”

      “True, but I’m not asking you out on a date. Think of it as two people with a similar past hanging out and sharing stories. Do you have your ticket?” he asked as they pushed through the front door.

      He released her hand. Siobhan reached in her purse for the ticket and handed it to the valet.

      “Do you live in the area?”

      “Not too far away. Why?”

      Justin pulled a card and pen from his pocket, wrote something on the back and handed it to her. “This is the address of a nearby coffee shop. Since you’re local, it shouldn’t be too far for you. I’d love it if you met me there tomorrow morning. Is eleven a good time?”

      She stared at the card for several seconds then took it. “No promises.”

      “Ma’am, your car,” the valet said.

      “Thank you.” Facing Justin, she said, “Good night.”

      “Good night, Siobhan. I’ve enjoyed your company tonight.”

      He squeezed her hand again, this time rubbing his thumb in small circles on her palm. She almost melted in a heap on the concrete. She hurried around to the driver’s side of her car and slid in behind the wheel. She could still see him standing there as she pulled off. There was no way she planned to be at that coffee shop in the morning. Justin Cartwright was a temptation she couldn’t afford.

      * * *

      Justin waited until the taillights of Siobhan’s Lexus SUV disappeared before going back inside. He searched the ballroom for Mr. Gray or his partner Mr. Whitcomb but didn’t see either man. Making some discreet inquiries, he located both men standing in a group. As soon as there was a break in the conversation and the small gathering dispersed, СКАЧАТЬ