The floor wasn’t crowded, nor were they the only couple dancing. There was enough room for them to maneuver comfortably without feeling crushed, yet enough people surrounding them to offer her the illusion of being safe in Mike’s arms. He drew her close, slipping his arm around her back while still keeping a respectable space between them. She appreciated his discretion, and yet there was nothing respectable about her feelings for Mike.
“Was my SOS that obvious?” she asked.
“Only to someone paying attention,” he said, implying what she’d already realized on her own.
Though she ought to jump to her fiancé’s defense, she was too tired to make the effort. She glanced at Mike and smiled. “Well, thank you, sir.”
“No problem, ma’am,” he drawled.
She tilted her head back in time to catch his lopsided grin and couldn’t contain the impish smile he inspired in return. When silence descended, she let herself drift in time to the music. She laid one hand on his shoulder, idly moving her fingers along his jacket, feeling the broad planes of his chest and the ripple of muscle beneath the material. She heard his deep breath at the same time he captured her hand in his, intertwining their fingers.
Embarrassed, she searched for a neutral topic.
“After all your travels, family dinners must bore you to tears.”
“You’d be surprised.” His gaze roamed over her face before he captured the back of her head in his strong hand and settled her head against his chest. But he kept her wandering hand wrapped in his, close to his heart.
The song changed to a slow, romantic ballad. As the lights dimmed, more couples joined them on the dance floor, forcing Mike’s body closer. The rasp of material as his jacket brushed her linen dress sounded unnaturally loud in her ears.
She glanced up to find his golden eyes smoldering with unspoken need. For Carly the world had shrunk in size, to two people dancing in near twilight, alone with each other.
When she drew a deep breath, she was enveloped by the essence of Mike. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder, feeling like she’d come home. Without warning, the music shifted again, this time to a 1970s’ pop song. Carly was bumped from behind, pushed against Mike... and discovered he desired her much the same way she wanted him. The proof of something she’d spent the last week alternately denying and forcing out of her mind sent her reeling. She backed off immediately.
“Carly, wait.”
She turned. “Please don’t say anything.”
“But...”
“Not a single word.” She placed one finger over his lips, then jerked back as if she’d touched a live wire. With a single touch or a heated glance, the man caused her nerve endings to tingle and her entire body to vibrate in a way that was both new and familiar at the same time.
She clenched her fists to keep from trembling. “I’m going back to the table before anyone misses us.”
He opened his mouth to speak.
“Now, please.” She cut him off, the entreaty in her voice plain.
Mike, powerless to deny this woman anything, turned and followed her back to the table. His body still burned from a simple dance.
He held Carly’s chair before lowering himself into his seat beside her. He had to bite back a curse as his brother covered her hand with his.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in months.” Peter beamed with pleasure, more honest emotion than Mike had seen since his return.
“What’s that?” Carly asked. She laid a hand on Peter’s arm. Mike tensed but said nothing.
“Partnership decisions have been moved up,” Roger said. “We’ve seen a boost in almost every department and want to make up for the last few years. We’ll make final decisions in about a week and a half.”
“That’s great news, Pete.” Mike knew his brother lived and breathed little else but work. This turn of events ought to make him ecstatic.
“Carly?” Anne looked at her daughter. Obviously she expected some reaction from the soon-to-be wife of an attorney and almost partner.
“Great,” Carly echoed.
Sincere but flat. Anne didn’t appear to notice. Mike did.
“Well, with that settled...” Anne smiled, then cleared her throat. “I mean almost settled. What’s going on with the wedding details? Are you all set?”
Carly nodded. “Pretty much.” She leaned closer to Mike to allow the waiter room to maneuver.
Caesar salad had always been Mike’s favorite, and when everyone had been served, he picked up his fork.
“All that’s left is the final fitting on my dress.”
Mike’s appetite disappeared. Watching as Carly moved one leaf around the plate, he surmised that she wasn’t any more hungry than he.