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Excerpt
“Who is
that woman?” I ask, completely distracted.
He
frowns. “Which one?”
“Pink
dress. Charlotte.”
His eyes
widen, and he chuckles. “Stay away from that one, old boy. She’s out of your
league.”
“And why
would you say that?”
“Every
man in the county is after her and she won’t give any of them the time of day.”
I feel my skin prickle at the challenge. “Really?”
“Yes.
And then you have to get past her father and brothers even if she is interested
at all.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“That’s
her father on the right. If I stand correct, he is the third wealthiest man in
the country. He owns casinos around the world and has connections everywhere.
On the left of her is her older brother Edward. Complete and utter bastard.”
I narrow
my eyes as I watch him. “What does Edward do for a coin?”
“Guard
Charlotte, from what I hear. He doesn’t let her out of his sight. It’s a
full-time fucking job.”
I raise
my glass to him in a silent toast.
He
shakes his head. “Not her, Spencer. She really is off limits. Way too pure for
you.”
Excitement
rolls over me. “The thrill of the chase is alive and well, my friend.”
He
chuckles. “Or the thrill of a death wish. You fuck around with her and her
father will murder you without a second thought.”
I smile
as I turn to watch Charlotte talk to the two men. “Challenge accepted, old
boy.”
He
laughs into his beer and shakes his head. “Next time I see you, it may be your
funeral.”
My eyes
dance with delight. “Give me a good wrap in the eulogy, hey? I’m sure it will
be worth it.”
He
chuckles, and with a shake of his head, he disappears through the crowd.
I stand
on my own simply watching her. She is the most beautiful thing I have seen in a
very long time. At once, she glances up and her eyes fall on me, holding my
gaze. I smile and raise my beer to her in a silent toast. She immediately looks
away and fidgets with her hands in front of her.
I smile
to myself as I watch her.
Run
along, boys.
I want
her alone.
Charlotte.
Mr Spencer
smiles sexily and raises his glass in my direction. I bite my bottom lip
nervously. Is he doing that to me? He’s standing alone in the crowd, a beer in
one hand, his other hand tucked away in his expensive suit pocket. I snap my
eyes away as my stomach flips with excitement.
Stop it!
He’s probably not even aiming it at me.
“Charlotte,
I have someone I want you to meet,” my father says.
“Dad, not
now. I don’t want to meet any of your boring friends.” I sigh.
He rolls
his eyes, and I glance back over at Mr Spencer still staring at me. I glance
back up to my father. “What is it?” I ask with a huff.
“His name
is Evan. I know his family, and he happens to be a lawyer.”
I cringe.
“Father, please,” I moan. “Stop. I’m not dating one of your boring friend’s
sons.”
My brother
Edward looks at my father and scowls. “Yes, please stop. The thought makes me
murderous.”
I roll my
eyes at my overbearing brother. “You, too.”
My father
and Edward fall into conversation, leaving me to glance back over at Mr
Spencer. As soon as our eyes connect, he crooks his finger and gestures for me
to go to him.
Me?
I frown,
look around, and point to my chest.
He nods
with a sexy smile. I look around, instantly filled with some kind of guilt, and
I subtly shake my head.
Oh my God.
My stomach flips over.
He crooks
his finger again, and I find myself biting my bottom lip and dropping my head
to hide my smile.
“Would you
like a drink, Charlotte?” my brother asks.
“Please.” I
smile as I concentrate on not looking Mr Spencer’s way again.
My father
falls into conversation with a man who walks past, and I glance around
nervously. I’m not sure whether to go and talk to Mr Spencer or not. No, that’s
a bad idea. Perhaps I’ll go and get some fresh air instead.
“I’m
heading to the bathroom,” I whisper to my father.
“All right,
love.” He smiles as I put my hand on his shoulder. I walk through the ballroom
and out onto the back terrace and down the steps. Fairy lights are strewn
across the garden giving it a romantic feel. Waiters are circling the garden
with trays of fancy cocktails and champagne. This wedding has been amazing, and
the attention to detail has been impeccable. Every detail is perfect. I walk
along the pathway down to the outdoor bathrooms. Once there, I head inside and
close the door behind me.
Peace at
last.
I can hear
the music in the distance as I stare at my reflection in the mirror and reapply
my fuchsia lipstick. My thick shoulder-length blonde hair is down and pulled
back on one side behind my ear. My pink strapless dress fits perfectly and
clings to my curves. I roll my lips as I stare at my reflection. Eventually, I
exhale heavily and snap my lipstick back into my silver clutch.
Most
eligible bachelor in London, an appalling rake.
Great. The
first man I’ve been attracted to in forever and he’s a womaniser. Typical.
For once, I
would like to meet an honourable man who is actually appealing.
Why does it
have to be one or the other? Who made this god forsaken rule that any man who
is a tad interesting must be a player? And why are all the good men as boring
as hell? God must definitely be a man.
With one
last look at myself, I head back out into the garden and make my way up the
path towards the party.
“Charlotte,”
a deep voice calls from behind me.
I turn and
falter, taken aback. It’s him.
It’s Mr
Spencer.
He smiles
sexily and his eyes hold mine. “Hello.”
My heart
rate spikes. “H-hi.” I smile nervously.
He steps
towards me and takes my hand in his, and I inhale sharply. He holds my hand up
in the air and nods, as if bowing. “Forgive me for following you, but I had to
come and meet the most beautiful woman in the room tonight.” He kisses the back
of my hand tenderly, and I raise my brows. “My name is Spencer.” He smiles
against my skin.
Oh, he’s
really quite…
I pull my
hand away sharply. “I know who you are, Mr Spencer.”
He smirks harder, and his mischievous eyes hold mine. “You do?” he asks
smoothly with a raise of his brow.
I clasp my
hands nervously in front of me. “Your reputation precedes you.”
His smirk
breaks out into a broad smile. “Ah, you can’t believe everything you hear, now,
can you?”
His voice
is deep and permeating. It somehow sinks into my bones when he speaks.
“Can I help
you with something?” I ask. What the hell does he want?
“I hope
so.” He smiles and picks up my hand again. “Would you do me the honour of
dancing with me?”
I swallow
nervously, and he smiles and drops his lips to the back of my hand to kiss me
softly. His sexy eyes stay fixed on mine.
Okay, hell…
he’s good. Really good.
“I…” I stop
talking because I really can’t concentrate when he’s touching me.
He’s so
forward.
“Charlotte?”
he repeats, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I shake my
head in a fluster. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He turns my
hand over to gently kiss the inside of my wrist. I feel his touch deep inside
my stomach.
“Why not?”
He gently licks my wrist and my knees nearly buckle out from underneath me.”
Oh, for the
love of God!
“My father
and brother…” I frown as my voice trails off. How in the hell am I supposed to
string two words together when he’s doing that to me?
He steps
forward and takes me into his arms. “We’ll dance here then.”
What?
He pulls me
close to him, takes one of my hands in his, and he smiles down at me as he
begins to sway to the music. “You’re a wonderful dancer, Lady Charlotte.” He
smiles mischievously.
I smirk at
his sheer audacity. “Does this routine work on every woman you meet?”
He smiles
his first genuine smile and I feel the effects of it hit me deep in my stomach.
“Please don’t talk about other women. I’m in the courting zone, concentrating
on you and only you.” He spins me around, and we both chuckle at his
ridiculousness.
He lets me
go and holds one hand up, and then he spins me in his arms and pulls me back to
his body at force until we come face to face.
I stare up
at him, my heart skipping a beat. “I have to go,” I whisper.
“Why?” his
intoxicating breath washes over my face.
“My father
will be looking for me.”
&l
