Arranged: An Array Series (Book #1)(33)

“Interesting,” Ava pondered. “I’ve spent weeks at the castle as a child, and never have I seen you around.”

“I’m just giving you friendly advice, Lady Barlow. Take it as you will.” Ava’s jaw twitched. “Now, Lord Cranfield, that drink.” Sophia lightly yanked on my arm.

“George,” Ava called, dropping her hands to her sides. She waited patiently until George appeared next to me. “Will you be a darling and take Lady Shitwood to the punch table?”

Sophia’s mouth gaped open.

“It’d be my pleasure,” George replied, holding out his arm for Sophia. She hesitated, knowing she was being dismissed. The women fixed each other with scowls, neither backing down. “Ready, Lady Chitwood?”

Sophia huffed and nodded, leaving me alone with the annoyed redhead.

I took a step closer to Ava, grabbing her attention. “You were amazing.”





Ava





Chapter 14





Garrett stared at me like I was his hero. His blue eyes gleamed at me in amusement for ridding him of the blonde shrew. I’m not sure why she irritated me so much, standing so close to Garrett, but it did. The possessive closeness sent a jealousy through me.

“Who was that?” I asked before I could stop myself.

Garrett sighed. “That is the vexing Sophia Chitwood.”

“I got the name, but who is she?”

Garrett raised a brow and smirked. I instantly regretted my meddling in his business.

“An aggravating female who seems to have her sights set on a rich husband.”

“You?”

“I’m hoping not.”

I bit my tongue. It was none of my business who he corresponded with, or what he planned on doing with other females. I was here to help George, and nothing else.

He held out his hand. “Dance with me.”

I hesitated for a moment before I took it, and he escorted me deep within the mass of dancing pairs. The music was slow and whimsical, the notes gently rising and falling around us. The soft candlelight illuminated off his back as I followed him to the floor, outlining his broad shoulders.

Turning to face me, he eased his arm around me, his fingers caressing the bare skin of my back. Heat seeped from his skin into mine, and I shuddered. He bit his lower lip as he clasped my hand with his, his thumb swiping a sensitive part of my hand I didn’t know I had. His eyes were steady on me, dark and dangerous. My heart thudded in my chest as we found our rhythm, swaying back and forth.

“You’re quiet,” Garrett murmured.

I shrugged. “Just enjoying the atmosphere.”

“I’d like it if you’d say enjoying your time with me,” he teased, the corner of his mouth lifting.

I rolled my eyes. “Like you need your ego stroked.”

Garrett beamed, his eyes glimmering with amusement.

“I’ll take any compliment that comes from you,” Garrett stated, spreading his fingers across my back. Heat spread through my cheeks, and my breathing hitched. “In all honestly, Avie, you look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you.” I looked at his chest; my face felt on fire. The way words rolled off his tongue so smoothly sent chills down my body.

“I’m sorry about Lady Shitwood.”

I broke into a smile. “Caught on to that, eh?”

He chuckled. “I did.”

“You looked like you needed help,” I stated. He dropped his hand from my back and twirled me once. Bringing me back toward him, he held me closer. Time stood still, and all I could focus on was the man in front of me. His eyes studied my lips before he brought his gaze up to meet my own.

“How could you tell?” he asked, his voice dropping. I glanced at his lips. Strong. Dominant. Impeccable. My mouth went dry, and I swallowed.

“Your posture,” I blurted.

He tilted his head, his brows furrowed. “My posture?”

“You shift from side to side when you’re irritated, and you clench your fists…I do the same thing,” I explained, knowing my big mouth had already said too much.

He raised a brow. “Have you been studying me?”

“Observing.”

“Even better,” he gloated. “I’m honored.”

“Oh Femme Fatale, Garr,” I reprimanded with a grin. I looked over at a couple, dancing closely together, the man whispering in her ear. Garrett squeezed my hand to capture my attention, and I slowly brought myself to face him. His face was sincere, eyes soft and, in the candlelight, a lighter shade of blue.

“You saved me from that unbearable female, I—”

“Don’t say you owe me,” I said. “You protected me for years, remember?”

Garrett opened his mouth and shut it, like he was contemplating. He leaned forward, keeping my weight under his hand, dipping my body. He slowly brought me back up, our eyes locking together.

He bent his head, close to my ear, and said softly, “And I’d do it again.” His breath fanned across my cheek as his skin brushed against mine. As he came back to face me, a hot surge crept into my cheeks. Now I was the one opening my mouth and closing it.





Garrett





Chapter 15