How to Resist Prince Charming(14)

He slumped even further into his chair. With one foot propped on the edge of the table, he tried to balance his Heineken on his stomach as he glanced around the swarming club.

Christ, he’d been working at Farris too long because this crowd acted way too young for him.

There were guys out there slipping their hands up girls’ shirts, and the women were rubbing their bodies all over...well, everything. All the females were practically in their underwear too, not that Braxton minded that aspect. But, damn, weren’t they cold?

It was January. Hello.

His gaze fell on one stunning body. Caught, he stared, spellbound. There. As least she’d dressed for the weather and still looked amazing.

She’d covered just enough to tease. In black pants, wide around the ankles but snug and low over ripe hips, she revealed an occasional peek of flat stomach.

Her long-sleeved turtleneck was tight enough to show the goods, yet loose enough to make him curious for more. The blouse had this iridescent gleam to it, which was how it caught his attention in the first place.

She wore her white blond hair down. It curled at the ends, brushing against the tops of her shoulders. Hoping she didn’t have a butterface, Braxton lifted his attention to her eyes and was surprised to discover she was scoping him out in return. And, oh God, he knew her.

Braxton straightened from his bored and slouched sprawl and nearly spilled his beer in his lap. Fumbling, he caught the bottle and set it on the table, only to search for Lenna Davenport again. She smiled and waved when she noticed she’d caught his attention. His body automatically lifted his hand and forced him to wave back.

His throat went dry, and his pulse leapt when he realized she was making her way toward him.

He quickly took a drink and hopped out of his chair. His heart thudded painfully against his chest with every step she grew closer.

Going to her now would only lead to more forbidden thoughts. But she was already approaching and, well, he couldn’t stay away.

“Hi,” he shouted so she could hear him above the roar.

He absorbed her full smile and breathed in the enticing smell wafting off her, the same vanilla fragrance she’d worn to the Christmas party.

“Hi,” she yelled back. “What’re you doing here?”

Braxton rolled his eyes and pointed toward Erica as she flung her hands in the air while wiggling her booty. “Blind date.”

Lenna winced when she heard his answer.

She leaned closer and Braxton about drowned on his own drool. “Doesn’t look like you’re having such a great time.”

He knew she’d only moved in so she wouldn’t have to talk so loud, but Braxton took advantage of her proximity, filling his nostrils with her scent. He inhaled as much as possible, as if he could save it somehow and take the extra stored aroma home with him.

“I’ll pay you a hundred bucks to break me out of here,” he called into her ear.

Lenna laughed that sweet laugh of hers. “Oh, no you don’t.” She patted his arm. “We all must make our sacrifices to the blind date god. I’m not getting you out of this one, bud.”

The music changed to something soft and slow. Braxton could see his and Greg’s dates starting back toward their table. He groaned deep in his throat, knowing he should return to Hell. But just as Erica pulled out her chair to sit, some other guy approached, touching her elbow and causing her to turn back. She obviously—hopefully—knew him because she greeted him with an ear-to-ear smile and a full-body hug. Then she hooked her arm through his and dragged him onto the dance floor.

Too relieved to think through his next action, Braxton whirled to Lenna. “So, save me for five minutes,” he urged. “Dance with me.”

Lenna’s eyes widened. “I…I didn’t think you danced.” Nibbling on her bottom lip, she eyed the floor and then him. “You didn’t at the Christmas party.”

So, she’d noticed that, had she?

Braxton grinned. “That’s because I didn’t feel right about asking you then.”

Appearing even more stunned by his confession, her eyes zipped to his. He held a hand out to her, silently encouraging her to take his fingers.

Touching her might lead to a slow and painful death at her father’s hand, but Braxton decided right then and there, it would be worth it.

Lenna looked as indecisive as she did tempted. Even as she warily eyed him, her hand slowly came out and took his.

He gave her a warm smile and led her onto the floor. Holding her close, he stared down into her eyes as they swayed together in rhythm with one another. He wanted to tell her how good she looked, how glad he was to finally dance with her, how bad he wanted to get inside her. But he opted for light conversation.

“Come here often?”

She smiled. “My friends and I were in a dancing mood.”

“Then I’m glad to oblige the mood for you,” he answered and twirled her.

“Well, thank you, kind sir,” Lenna responded when she spun back against his chest, her eyes glittering with amusement. “I shall be forever grateful for your bold and courageous act.”

She was only teasing. She lifted her chin and sent him a lofty mistress-of-the-manner look before she broke into a grin. But her words took on a whole new meaning.

It had been a nervy move for him to ask her to dance. It was probably foolish too, tempting them both this way, giving each other a taste so they’d only crave more.