Deadly Testimony (Safeguard #2)(63)

In the past, he’d always been sure to have a lovely lady on his arm. He enjoyed the impression it presented. People were predictable and in these settings, he knew how to prompt the reactions he wanted. It was a mental exercise and an entertainment.

And people glanced at the lady he was with, just as they always did. The difference tonight was that everyone took a second look at Isabelle, and a third. For once, the lady at his side was more than an accessory.

Isabelle projected charisma and confidence even when she wasn’t entirely sure of herself. She was lovely and entirely uninterested in catching anyone’s notice. So of course they wanted her to notice them.

But her focus was still on the outer edges of the room and it was becoming obvious.

In a room full of people, she was the kind of person who drew the eye. Exactly what she didn’t want.

As far as he was concerned, there was only one thing to do.

“Dance with me.”

Dark eyes turned toward him. “Excuse me, what?”

He led her toward the dance floor. “You want your teammates to spot you and it’s drawing the attention of everyone here. It’s impossible for you to be inconspicuous, as gorgeous as you are right now. So everyone we talk to is wondering who you’re looking for. Anytime we move on to talk to somebody else, the people we just left keep watching you to see if you’ve found who you were looking for. I’m both impressed and wondering how I can acquire the same quality.”

“You’re kidding.” She sounded horrified.

“All of my fantasies of you as a super sexy spy have been shattered.” As they reached the dance floor, he turned to her. “There’re plenty of people with us on the dance floor. You don’t have to be self-conscious. But since everyone looks at the dance floor once in a while to watch people dance, it’ll make it easy for your teammates to notice you.”

She pressed her lips into a thin line and let him pull her against him, placing one hand in his and the other on his shoulder. “You could be right.”

“I know I am.” He grinned.

“I could also suck at dancing.”

He laughed then. “I’m a strong lead. Trust me.”

Dancing was an art. Done well, dancing could be sex of the socially acceptable kind. The first few steps were simple, patient, giving her time to get over her hesitation and let him lead. As she grew more comfortable, he coaxed her into a turn or two and took the opportunity to pull her back in close. He liked the feel of her in his arms, liked the way her lips parted slightly as he pressed his hand into her lower back and encouraged her hips to press against his.

Her eyes widened as he stepped forward, toward her. She was forced to step back in response or end up with his thigh between hers. Once she did step back, he continued for a few more steps then took her in a different direction. When he did it again, she’d caught the hang of it and let them travel backward.

“Not many people dance anymore. You’re a quick learner.” And too many women thought they were better than they were. He preferred not to count how many times a woman tried to anticipate what he was going to do and forced him to let her look awkward. Not Lizzy though, she was reserved and cautious, but she didn’t misstep.

“How do you keep us from bumping into the other people on the dance floor?” She craned her neck a bit, trying to keep everything in sight.

“It’s my job as the lead,” he answered, turning her to avoid a slightly tipsy couple as they stumbled past, offbeat. “You don’t have to watch the people immediately around us. You can look over my shoulder at the people beyond the dance floor. Let me worry about the immediate surroundings.”

He knew better than to tell her not to keep watch around them. Despite his early assurance regarding the security of this event, he was glad she was still vigilant. It felt wiser to have someone literally keeping watch on what was behind him.

*

It wouldn’t kill her to admit she was enjoying this. “This...doesn’t suck.”

“I’m glad.” He looked down at her, the corners of his mouth turned upward in a sexy smile.

God, she already tended to look at his mouth a lot and with the mask hiding half of his face she pretty much had to focus on his mouth or his eyes.

Her breath tended to catch and her heart rate kicked up when she lingered too long on either.

Kyle was the best dancer she’d ever been with. Explained a lot about how good he was in bed too. What had he said before? Incorrigible.

Yeah, he was an incorrigible flirt.

Whenever she started to relax in his arms as they danced, he’d press his thigh between hers or slide his fingers up her spine, or do something else to make her completely aware of his body against hers. He was sort of torturing her.

She had never been interested in jumping a guy’s bones in the restroom.

But there were other secluded spots in even the public parts of a hotel she’d be tempted to sneak away to.

“You are definitely a bad influence on me,” she informed him.

He blinked, then his grin widened. “Care to share what naughty thoughts you have?”

“No.” She considered. “Not yet.”

Oh, she was not going to regret sleeping with him, but she absolutely was going to make sure to keep her mind on the current mission.

“Well, we’ve been dancing for a few songs now.” He slowed, their steps carrying them to the edge of the dance floor. “Care for a drink, and maybe a bite to eat?”