“Sure. Grace?” Rachel called out. When Grace turned to look at her, she said, “Thanks for looking out for me. I appreciate it.”
“What are friends for? Love ya, babe!” She sashayed through the door, smiling. Rachel returned her lipstick to her bag and washed her hands.
Slipping out of the door into the dark hallway, Rachel bumped into a tall, hard body. In the dark, she thought it was Eli and relaxed, putting out her hands to steady herself. She made contact with a hard chest and washboard abs as strong, warm hands grasped her upper arms and kept her from stumbling.
A second later, she knew it wasn’t him because his scent was totally different, a dark, spicy fragrance mixed with the clean smell of an unfamiliar soap. Her hand brushed a butter-soft leather blazer, and she knew instantly whom she was holding on to. Ace Webster. She released her hands straight away and tried to back up, expecting him to do the same. Instead, his hands remained, gently holding her upper arms, and he leaned in closer, effectively pinning her to the wall in the dark, narrow hallway.
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His voice was soft and husky. “Miss Lopez, how nice to see you again. I noticed you dancing earlier, and hoped I might talk you into dancing with me this evening.” He leaned in close to her. “Your scent is beautiful, womanly.” He dipped his head to nuzzle her hair. Her heart pounded, and she shrank from him but backed into the solid wall.
Grace had assured her he was a decent guy. Rachel felt like intense might be a better description at the moment. Before Eli had come into her life, she probably would’ve enjoyed this attention, his spicy, clean scent and the solid strength that he emanated. Right now, she did not enjoy his close proximity and certainly not the way he inhaled her fragrance. Good gracious, would he be able to detect her recent arousal? She vehemently hoped not because that felt like an invasion of something sacred between her and Eli.
She breathlessly placed a hand on his chest to stop him and spoke quickly. By her tone, she made sure to leave nothing to his imagination concerning what she thought about his offer and advances. “Mr. Webster, I thank you for your kind invitation, but I can’t dance with you. I am very deeply in love with Eli Wolf. Grace and Jack brought me in so I could be with him tonight, and I’ll only dance with Eli. I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
“Loyalty like yours is rare in today’s culture,” he said, but his actions led her to believe he was unconvinced. He hadn’t backed away and continued to breathe in her scent. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she could see his eyes and the lust and desire that smoldered there. “I hope someday I am lucky enough to have a woman who is as loyal to me as you are to Mr. Wolf. It’s my loss.” Rachel cringed inwardly and balled her hands into fists as he leaned even closer. She feared he might try to kiss her before he looked to the side and grinned. “Mr. Wolf, nice to see you again,” he murmured.
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Chapter Fourteen
Rachel was filled with relief. “Your hands are on my girlfriend, Mr.
Webster.” Eli asked harshly. His eyes glittered dangerously as Ace backed away and released her arms.
“Rachel and I bumped into each other in the hallway as we passed,”
Ace replied, holding up his palms in surrender. “I didn’t want her to fall.”
He turned to Rachel and kindly said, “Miss Lopez, a pleasure to see you again. Have a good evening.” He continued down the hallway to the men’s room.
Eli approached Rachel and hugged her. “You’re pale. Are you all
right?”
She nodded, clinging to him briefly. “The hallway was dark. I bumped into him and thought for a second it was you. He asked me to dance with him.” Ace had sounded as though he wanted to offer a lot more.
“I know, I heard what you said. Thank you, honey, for those sweet words. I didn’t like seeing his hands on you.”
“I know. You looked very angry.” She trembled in his embrace,
soaking in his warmth and strength. A minute ago, if she could have backed through the wall away from Ace, she would have.
“Not at you, at him. Do you think he took no for an answer?” he asked as he escorted her down the hallway back out to the club.
“His attitude changed after I told him I was in love with you. Maybe he’ll respect that and find another dance partner.”
“He looked like he was about to kiss you when he noticed me standing there,” Eli said, sliding a hand over her shoulder.
“I thought so, too. I’m relieved he noticed you there when he did. That hallway was a bad place for a fight.”