He moved closer. I took a step back.

“I thought we hit it off.”

“We really didn’t.”

He laughed as if I’d just said the funniest thing in the world, then slid his arm around my waist.

I jerked away. “Watch the hands, buddy.”

“You are so fucking beautiful.”

“You’re going to want to take a step back,” I said, somehow managing to speak despite my gritted teeth.

“What I want is to taste you.”

My hand curled into a fist. “Dammit—”

“I’d do what the lady says.”

Tyler.

I jerked free of the Ass Pincher even as Tyler yanked him away from me.

“I mean it, Reggie,” Tyler said. The charm that had colored his voice earlier was gone, replaced by a steel-edged hardness.

“I—I didn’t realize she was with you, Tyler. Honestly. I mean, she danced with me, and—”

“Sloane shares my interest in supporting charitable causes.”

“What?” Reggie’s brow furrowed. “But this isn’t a charity event, and—” His mouth snapped shut as anger and insult flashed across his face. “I’m the charity? Now, you listen to me, Sharp. No way am I—”

“Yes,” Tyler said smoothly. “You are going. And right now.”

Reggie’s eyes cut to me. “You can do better.”

“Than you? Oh, most definitely.”

It was a low blow, but the guy was a prick, and I felt nothing but satisfaction when I saw the angry red start to creep up his neck. “Fuck it,” he said. “You two deserve each other.”

Tyler turned to me, ignoring Reggie’s retreating back. “First thing that man ever said that’s made any sense at all.”

“I could have gotten rid of him myself.”

“I believe that.” He glanced down at my still-clenched hand. “But I didn’t think Angie would appreciate it if you laid him out. Fancy hotels like this add an up charge to the cleaning fee when blood is involved.”

I laughed. I also relaxed. “Fair enough. And I suppose I should thank you for the rescue. Even though it took you long enough.”

“Is that a criticism?“His hand slipped around my waist, but rather than jerk out of his embrace as I had with Reggie, I had to force myself not to press closer.

“Just an observation.”

He eased us toward the dance floor, then started to sway with the low, slow strains of music. I felt light, as if Tyler’s hands were the only things keeping me anchored.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “Still, I suppose I lost some of my chivalry street cred.”

“A bit.” My voice sounded breathy, and I wanted to close my eyes and melt from the heat that his palm pressed against my naked back was generating.

I’d gotten lost in the swirl of sensations and emotions, and I stumbled blindly, trying to find some sort of rope to draw me back to myself, but failing miserably. I’m not the kind of woman who falls apart in the arms of a man, but right then, I was unraveling. And my dark and scary secret was that I liked the way it felt.

“I suppose I’ll have to earn it back.” His words, whispered at my ear, skittered across my skin like an electric current. They were only sounds, with no meaning attached to them at all. Just the low, sexy tones of his voice.

“Hmm?” I asked stupidly. “Earn what back?”

He chuckled, as if he knew damn well that he was the source of my confusion. “Chivalry. You said I lost some street cred.”

“Oh. Right.” I managed to gather myself, then tilted my face up to look at him. I saw desire behind the blue fire of his eyes, and I wrapped it around me, reveling in its warmth. “I guess you will. I mean, what’s a knight without his chivalrous reputation?”

“For the record, it was worth it to make a point.”

“What point is that?”

His expression changed, and I once again felt trapped in his gaze. As if he didn’t just desire me, but had claimed me for his own. “I didn’t like it when you walked away from me. And I’m guessing you didn’t like me staying away.”

“No,” I admitted. “I didn’t.” I turned my head again, not wanting him to examine my face too closely. Not because I was lying, but because there was more truth in my words than I wanted to admit.

He stroked his hand lightly over my back as we continued to move on the dance floor. I pressed against him and sighed, my body feeling warm and melty.

“Remember that,” he said gently. “And don’t walk away from me again.”

The meltiness hardened into steel as I came to a stop, then stepped out of his arms so I could face him dead on. Around us, other couples continued to swirl, but I barely noticed them. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“No,” he said simply. “I’m not.” He tugged me back to him, then slid us seamlessly back into the mix of dancing couples.

“You’re pretty damn sure of yourself.”

“Very. What did you think? That walking away was going to wind me up? Was somehow going to make me want you more?” His voice, low and smooth, sent shivers coursing through me. “I’ll tell you a secret, Sloane. I already want you more. I saw you, and I knew I would have you.”

I licked my lips, but stayed silent. In part because I wanted to see where he was going, but also because I couldn’t trust myself to speak.

He paused on the dance floor, then took a single step back so that he could look at me fully. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I don’t care.”

I shook my head. “I’m not playing a game.”

“No?” His gaze lingered on my face, and I had to fight the urge to turn away, afraid he’d see the truth in my eyes. “Too bad,” he said. “Because I am. I started playing the moment I saw you.”

I swallowed, not sure if I should run away or wrap myself in his arms. “I don’t understand.”

“Yeah,” he said. “I think you do,” and though his smile was warm, I saw heat and danger in his eyes. “You’re the prize, Sloane. And I’m in it to win.”

“Me?”

“You,” he said. He stepped closer, and the air seemed to shimmer from the intensity of my desire. “Does that excite you, Sloane? Knowing I want you? That I will have you?”

“Yes.” My voice was soft. Breathy. My heart was pounding an unsteady rhythm, and even as the fact of my victory settled over me, it wasn’t celebration that burned in my veins, but heat. A raw, primal heat that I’d never experienced before, but couldn’t deny liking. “God, yes.”

He drew me to him again, his hands at my waist, then easing up to brush the swell of my breasts. I drew in a shuddering breath, and though I wanted to simply close my eyes and let the wave crash over me, rational thought kicked in. “People,” I whispered in protest. “Tyler, there are all these people.”

“Do you care?”

“I—yes. Maybe.”

I felt my cheeks burn as he chuckled. “Fair enough. With me. God, Sloane, with me, now.” His voice sounded as raw as I felt, and as he led me to the far side of the room, maneuvering us through the other dancers, I followed willingly. Eagerly. And a little bit giddily from the simple high of knowing that my plan was in full swing, and I was about to enjoy the perks of my success.