they’d been dancing together for years, each anticipating the other. He watched her for the tiniest signals and loved how perfectly she responded to him. She was a good dancer when she relaxed and followed her instincts.
If dancing was this awesome together, sex would be even better.
The thought was as inescapable as it should have been unthinkable. Number three and number thirteen would be the survivors on her list. They were co-workers, sort of. She was off-limits. He couldn’t give her what she wanted, and he wasn’t going to be the asshole who broke her heart. Hunter reminded himself of all that stuff as they danced like there was no tomorrow, but he didn’t find any of it convincing.
He still wanted Chloe.
He still wanted to watch her make new discoveries and embrace the world. She was changing before his eyes, opening like a flower to the possibilities, and he wanted to watch it all.
That was crazy. He didn’t do commitment and he didn’t plan on the future. One moment at a time was his mantra and dreams were for other people.
People like Chloe.
He spun her as the tune concluded and she framed his face as they ended in an embrace, reaching up to kiss him as the other dancers applauded. He was breathing hard and warm, but there was only Chloe’s happiness to light the room. “I could have danced all night,” he said to her.
“And still have begged for more,” she replied with a laugh, then spun before him. She was gorgeous.
“Champagne?” Hunter asked when he saw Josh looming closer.
“Yes,” she said with conviction. “Please.” She took his elbow and he led her in the opposite direction, as if neither of them were aware of Josh’s approach. The other man frowned and Hunter felt a completely inappropriate surge of satisfaction.
“How long do you think I can avoid him?” Chloe asked in an undertone.
“Is that a challenge?”
She laughed up at him. “Absolutely.”
He checked his watch. “The time is currently eight-forty-two. What’s my bonus for each hour?”
Chloe’s smile turned mischievous in a fascinating and uncharacteristic way. “Rule eleven,” she said, her eyes dancing as she pointed to the mistletoe hanging near the end of the bar.
“The perfect enticement.” Hunter said with satisfaction then grinned. “You’re on.”
Chloe managed to avoid Josh for an hour and fifteen minutes. She and Hunter chatted with her mom, with Todd and Mandy, and she introduced Hunter to several old acquaintances. They drank champagne, considered the silent auction items and danced as if no one was watching. Chloe was having the most wonderful time and she knew exactly why. She felt people watching her and knew they were commenting. For once in her life, she didn’t care what they thought.
At the one hour mark, she led Hunter to the mistletoe and kissed him thoroughly. He kissed her back, dipping her low, performing for all the people watching them, and she found herself laughing when they were done. She liked her mom’s event but was surprised to realize how much she was enjoying herself—and she knew it was because of Hunter. His carefree attitude was contagious, and surprising him was becoming as addictive as his soul-searing kisses. She danced with Todd and after that, everything went south—Josh was waiting when the music changed.
He caught her close and moved with speed, practically sweeping her off her feet. She doubted it was an accident, especially when he looked down into her eyes. There was a familiar resolve in his expression. “Well, you’ve had your fun,” he said with obvious disapproval. “Don’t imagine you’ll be making such a spectacle of yourself in future.”
“I don’t think my future has much to do with you.”
He made an exasperated sound that only she could hear. “You should rearrange yourself after our dance. You look unkempt.”
“I think it’s up to me when I refresh myself, thanks.” Chloe managed to put an increment of space between them, although Josh’s arm was locked around her waist. It had to be the longest waltz in the world
“Time to call it off, don’t you think?” he murmured, smiling as if they shared a secret.
“Call what off?” Chloe asked, as if she didn’t know what he was going to say. Even her guess was making her angry, and she didn’t want to lose her temper at her mom’s event.
Maybe Josh was counting on that.
“The charade.” Josh’s lip curled with disdain. “This game of yours, pretending that you’re serious about that guy. I know it’s a fake date. The truth is