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Henry
Henry leaned his shoulder against the side of a pillar, swirling the copper liquid into a vortex. The ice cubes clinked against the inside of the glass as he scanned the packed ballroom. Guilt washed over him as his eyes met with the smoldering gaze of Helen Carrington. She smiled provocatively. Tipping his glass in acknowledgment, Henry took a sip of his drink. The brandy burned as it journeyed down his throat, the sensation doing little to ease his tension. He cursed his father for talking him into seducing the unsuspecting woman.
There had to be some way to flee from this nightmare. Helen Carrington had him by the balls. To gain the building permit, Henry needed her influence. However, the thought of using sex to earn her backing repulsed him. He’d moved to Newport to prove himself as having a keen business sense, not to enrich his reputation for sexual prowess.
In his peripheral vision, Henry caught a glimpse of perfection. His cock pulsed in response to the hypnotic sway of her curvaceous hips. Cut scandalously low, the gown revealed the woman’s luscious backside. Silky smooth, the skin of her porcelain spine teased him, daring him to trail his finger down to the edge of the soft velvet that rested above the delicate contours of her lower back, directly above her delectable ass. Ripe. Round. Firm. Henry longed to lay his hands over her sensuous bottom. To squeeze it. To spank it. To nip and bite at the creamy flesh.
Elbowing his way through the dense crowd, Henry prowled behind her. His eyes locked on the mystery woman as she wove through the room, stopping to acknowledge an older woman who’d caught her attention. Henry lurked in the shadows, frustrated as he watched her converse with the stranger. The scent of vanilla and ylang-ylang wafted toward him. He remembered that scent but from where? She was only an arm’s length away. All he needed to do was reach out, and he’d be able to touch her.
Between the high-pitched muffled sounds emanating from the elderly woman’s voice and the instrumental holiday music, it was difficult to distinguish her voice. The underlying sweetness and soft, sensual, ultra-feminine giggles that had drifted his way enthralled him. What was it about her that seemed so familiar?
After what felt like an eternity, she gracefully made her way to a table that overlooked the balcony. Henry’s heart drummed in his chest. She pulled out a chair and slid her fine ass onto it, crossing her legs. The gown fell open from the large slit up its side to reveal a shapely calf. His cock sprang to attention, intoxicated by her tantalizing flesh.
“Mind if I join you?” Henry asked, his voice raspy with desire.
She turned to meet his gaze, surprise registering in her hazel eyes.
“Victoria?” Henry said, dumbstruck. “I had no idea I’d see you here.”
“You mean you weren’t stalking me again, Mr. Santana?”
You could call it that. The private joke caused Henry to chuckle. If only Victoria knew how right she was.
Her lips firmly set, she scoffed, “I’m glad to see that I’ve amused you.”
She was lovely. Her eyes, magnificent. Now that they weren’t concealed by her glasses, Henry was able to view the golden flecks that surrounded the unusual shade of olive green. “Not amused, Ms. Hathaway. Simply a man rendered speechless by your beauty.”
“Oh,” she said softly.
She shifted uncomfortably, her full breasts jutting forward as she sat ramrod straight. Henry pried his eyes from the rise and fall of the swell of her breasts and drew a chair from the table to sit down beside her.
Victoria inched her chair toward the wall.
“I won’t bite,” Henry said, his lips twitching. “Unless you want me to,” he added, unable to resist goading her.
She glared at him.
Although he couldn’t care less, he needed to break the ice, and so he asked, “Where’s your partner in crime?”
“I assume you’re referring to Jennifer,” Victoria said.
Henry scooted his chair next to hers and nodded. “Pardon my lack of formality. I am referring to Ms. Jordan.”
Victoria scowled and slid her chair against the wall. “She’s with her boyfriend. He’s a cop,” Victoria informed him with a smirk. “He’s quite protective of her. And he’s one of my best friends.”
“So she abandoned you?” Henry asked.
Victoria rolled her eyes. “I really don’t understand what concern it is of yours. But if you must know, Jenn did not abandon me. I insisted she spend time with her boyfriend. Have I mentioned he was recently promoted to detective?”
“Good to know,” Henry answered. “How about you? Did you come alone?”
“What difference does it make?” she snapped.
Palms down on his thighs, Henry braced forward. “If you were my date, I’d never leave your side.”
Victoria stared quizzically at him.
“The guy is a damn fool to let you out of his sight. I doubt there’s a man in here who isn’t enthralled by the sight of you.”
“For your information, Jenn and I are sponsors of this event. It’s good publicity for our store. We always come together.”
Relief coursed through him. Victoria hadn’t come with a date.
Henry stood abruptly. “Dance with me.”
“Oh, no.” Victoria shook her head. “I’m not a good dancer.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m supposed to lead anyway.” If his feet took a beating, it would be worth the sacrifice to hold her in his arms.
Sighing, she placed her hand in Henry’s upturned palm. “Consider yourself warned.”
Henry chuckled, “Pain always leads to pleasure.”
Her hand in his, Henry escorted her to the dance floor. One arm strayed around her waist, caressing the flesh exposed at the small of her back. Gently, he drew her flush against his chest. He felt her tremble as his other hand closed simultaneously over her dainty fingers.
“Relax,” he whispered. “Let me guide you.” With expertise he glided with her across the dance floor, ignoring the tiny feet that crushed his toes.
She blushed, peering up at him through thick, dark eyelashes. “I did warn you.”
He pulled her tighter against his chest, pinning her head under his chin. “Believe me, when you look at me like that, your stepping on my toes is the last thing on my mind.”
Victoria
“You should’ve seen the stricken expression on the lady’s face when you crashed into her,” Henry teased.
Victoria reclined against the back of her chair, her arms wrapped around her stomach as she giggled profusely. “Poor thing was minding her own business, dancing with her husband until I came barreling in.”
Henry’s shoulders shook with laughter. “I suppose I may have gotten a little carried away.”
“You think?” Victoria asked sarcastically. “You twirled me around so much I thought I was a human dreidel.”
“Her husband didn’t appear to mind. I suspect he was quite disappointed when I declined his offer to switch partners,” Henry said.
Victoria leaned forward, her elbows on the table, and rested her chin in the palm of her hand. “You should’ve accepted his offer. After all, why should you be the only man who leaves this shindig with a broken foot?”
With a look of smug satisfaction, Henry’s eyes crinkled up. “Never.” He reached across the table, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’d risk a broken foot any day to have you by my side.” Henry’s fingers lingered over her cheek then crept to the nape of her neck.
Victoria closed her eyes. She relished the soothing sensation of his fingers as they kneaded the sore muscles of her neck. Enraptured by his touch, her head drooped forward. “That feels wonderful,” she breathed.
“Good,” he said huskily.
Suddenly, she came to her senses. This was way too comfortable. Way too intimate. “I have to go,” she said, jerking her neck up.
Henry’s palm fell from her neck, his fingers scorching her flesh as they crossed her shoulder. “So soon?” he asked.
“Yup. Early day tomorrow.”
He scrutinized her, his eyes dark and intense. “All right.”
“Thank you for becoming a sacrificial lamb. I’m glad that you’re still able to walk,” Victoria said with a halfhearted laugh.
“If you give me your ticket from the coat check, I’ll be happy to grab your coat for you.”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I didn’t wear one.” At the last minute, she’d decided against wearing her coat to the gala. The dull, black wool had looked plain against her fancy dress.
His dark brows furrowed. “You didn’t wear a coat?”
She tensed, standing up. How dare Henry question her as if she were a child. Victoria quickly rose her body from the chair. “No, I didn’t,” she answered defiantly.
“You sound angry.” Still seated, Henry peered up at her. “What are you mad about?”
“You.”
“Me?” he asked.
“Yes, you,” Victoria mocked. “I heard the displeasure in your voice.”
He clasped her hand in his. “I’m worried about your health.”
She pulled her hand from his. “I don’t need a keeper.”
Henry’s nostrils flared. “Perhaps you do.”
Hands on her hips, Victoria tapped her fingertips against her waist and bent to hover over him. Now, face to face, she narrowed her eyes to glare at him. “And you think I’m stupid enough to believe that you want what’s best for me? That you’re concerned about my health?”
Henry’s jaw clenched. “Do you not comprehend how foolish you are being?”
“Get over yourself.” Victoria stormed away from him, hurrying through the crowded room.
Henry hurled from the chair, fighting the crowd to catch up with her. “Be reasonable,” he hissed, a fake smile pasted on his lips as he took her by the arm.
“I am reasonable. You’re an arrogant jerk.”
“Victoria, dear,” a shrill voice rang out, causing Victoria to cringe. What did Mrs. Burton want now? She’d already spoken with her earlier in the evening. Her tolerance for her pesky, old patron was rapidly declining. “I was just on my way out,” she said.
“So soon?” Mrs. Burton cocked an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smile as she looked at Henry.
“Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mrs. Burton. I’m sure I’ll see you soon,” Victoria said, brushing past her.
Henry shrugged his tuxedo jacket off and held it out to Victoria. “Put this on.”
“No thank you.”
“Put it on. You’re going to catch pneumonia,” he said sternly.
She halted, causing Henry to slam full force into her back, the impact pushing her slightly forward. Eyes narrowed, she turned to face him. “If your prediction that I catch pneumonia should come true and I drop dead, it would make your plan to seize my property as easy as taking candy from a baby.”
Rage blazed in his eyes. “Where’s your car?”
Victoria trembled, unnerved to find herself both frightened and aroused by the forcefulness in his voice. She’d never known a man to take such a keen interest in her personal comforts. Keep your cool, Victoria. Henrique Santana doesn’t care about you. All he cares about is your property.
“I’m going to ask you one more time. Where. Is. Your. Car?” Henry rasped through clenched teeth.
“Not far.”
Henry drew out a long breath. “Please put the jacket on.” Taking matters into his own hands, Henry adjusted it over her shoulders and tugged it tightly together before Victoria had a chance to protest.
Victoria’s lips curved up into a shaky smile as he sputtered under his breath, “I never thought I’d fight with a woman about putting clothes on.” As much as she wanted to hate Henrique Santana, she didn’t. “That’s kind of ironic, don’t you think?”
“I’m serious. You’re going to kill yourself traipsing around half naked,” Henry stated, placing his open palm on her lower back.
Desire raged throughout her shaky limbs. “What are you doing?”
“Walking you to your car,” he answered, ushering her through the foyer.