One in a Million by Abby Gaines Page A

all that jigging about you’ve been doing.”
    He’d been watching her…and he was even grumpier than before. Her heart swelled with tenderness. “I was getting in practice for you.”
    He grunted. “I guess we could dance.”
    Eli danced wonderfully, of course. Yet somehow Jen didn’t feel clumsy as he led her through several fast numbers.
    The band segued into a slow, romantic jazz tune. When Eli took Jen in his arms, she felt like a chicken who’d found a roost.
    Dangerous thinking. But she indulged it anyway.
    She relaxed against Eli, and felt a lessening of his top-to-toe tension.
    â€œI watched you with those people, the charity clients,” she said. “You were wonderful.”
    He made a sound of denial, but he held her closer. It was heaven, here in his arms. She gave herself up to the moment. Her head told her it wouldn’t last. But her heart urged her to give him everything she could, just in case there was a chance they could make this real.
    â€œYou look beautiful tonight,” he said gruffly. “I should have said earlier.”
    â€œThank you.”
    His hand brushed her hip, then her derriere. Jen caught her breath.
    â€œLet’s get some air.” His other hand tightened on her waist as he steered her through the crowd, out the French doors to a terrace. Along the railing, potted geraniums gave off a roselike scent. Beyond, the lights of uptown Charlotte glowed orange and red.
    â€œGreat view,” Jen said, suddenly breathless.
    â€œAmazing.” Eli’s eyes fixed on her mouth with an intensity that was incredibly flattering.
    That was Eli, she reminded herself. Intense…for as long as the moment lasted.
    He pulled her into his arms.
    â€œJen.” His voice developed a heavy, curious quality that despite her total lack of experience with a man like him, some deep, inner part of her recognized.
    â€œYes,” she said huskily. An instruction, not a question.
    His eyes flared. His mouth came down on hers.
    Jen felt as if her whole life, all twenty-two years, had been preparation for this moment. Preparation for the coaxing warmth of Eli’s lips, for the possessive grasp of his hands. She shouldn’t find this safe; it was the most dangerous thingshe’d ever done…and yet underlying the adrenaline rush was a sense that this was right .
    She parted her lips, welcomed him in…and the thrill got a whole lot more potent. Eli was all man: broad shoulders, strong arms and those oh-so-tempting lips. His hands roamed her curves, telling her how much he desired her.
    She didn’t want this kiss ever to end.
    A flash of bright light startled her. Eli sprang away, lightning-quick.
    â€œWhat the hell,” he growled.
    The photographer snapped another shot. “Sorry, folks, didn’t mean to interrupt.” He slipped his camera back into his bag in a hurry, perhaps recognizing Eli’s intent to seek and destroy. “Tony Cinzano, National Echo. Any chance I could have the lady’s name for my caption?”
    Eli’s snarl discouraged him from waiting around for an answer.
    Jennifer tugged her bodice back into place, her fumbling fingers a marked contrast to the grace, the poetry of that kiss. “Blast,” she muttered.
    â€œNo one with any sense reads that rag,” Eli assured her.
    â€œMy grandfather doesn’t, thank goodness,” she agreed. “If you and I are going to do…this kind of thing I want him to find out about it from me, not some newspaper.”
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    E LI WOULD HAVE LIKED to have enjoyed Jen’s sweet taste a bit longer. He could slug that photographer, interrupting the best kiss of his—
    It’s been a while, that’s all. A kiss is just a kiss.
    But the kiss was over and, tactless though it seemed, coming on the heels of that sensuous encounter, Jen had just handed Eli the perfect opportunity to deliver his news about the change in status of