I took in a deep breath, steadily making eye contact—and hoping I wouldn’t just cave in. There was a real risk of that. The man was simply hypnotizing.
“You said you’d like the team to warm up to you? This is what the party is about.”
Winston was silent for a few seconds. “Fine. On one condition.”
Damn. Nothing was ever easy or straightforward with this delicious man, but what could I say? I liked a challenge. I licked my lips as a sense of foreboding gripped me.
“What?”
“You promise me we’ll catch up after the dances. Just you and me. And just a warning, if you say no, I’m not above using dirty tricks to change your mind.” His voice was so impossibly rich and sinful that I couldn’t do anything more than nod.
People started milling around the dance floor as the song ended.
Freddie from the sales team tapped my shoulder.
“Sienna, can I have this dance?” he asked.
“Sure.”
Winston looked as if he was closer to punching Freddie than releasing me, but I gracefully extracted my hand from his iron grip.
I’d thought dancing with Freddie would give me a chance to cool down. I’d been wrong.
Every time my gaze crossed Winston’s across the room, I fidgeted. Even from a distance, his presence was all-consuming.
I didn’t get a chance to dance with Winston again. I hadn’t anticipated that as the official organizer, I had to dance with everyone. I spied Winston making the rounds. He also danced a few times. Progress.
The DJ switched back to ambient music once catering brought a second round of canapes. I immediately located Winston; he was leaving.
I excused myself, surreptitiously exiting the room, and caught up to him at the coat closet.
“Hey. Leaving already?”
“Yes. It’s late, and I have an early call tomorrow before we leave for Burlington.”
“Okay. Before I forget... I got you something.” I turned to my coat. I’d hung the bag under it. I was hyperaware of every movement I made, the very dim light around us, the close space.
“You got me a present?”
Even in the dim lighting, I could see Winston looked utterly surprised. My heart squeezed. Was he not used to it?
“Yes. A shirt.” I touched my hairpin absentmindedly.
“I wasn’t expecting anything in return. You didn’t have to get me anything.”
He was definitely not used to it.
“I couldn’t resist,” I said in a teasing tone. “Besides, I’m surprised you’re leaving. How about catching up after the party?”
A smile inched on his face. In a fraction of a second, he closed the distance between us, nearly pushing me into the wall behind. “I just realized there’s no need to hurry. I’ll have you all to myself in Burlington.”
I was surrounded by the smell of his cologne, the heat of his body. It was all blowing my defenses to smithereens. When he tilted his head forward, I closed my eyes.
Winston kissed me ferociously. His mouth claimed mine possessively. His hands were gripping my waist. I tugged at his hair, pressing my pelvis into him. I wanted him closer, but nothing felt close enough.
Ever since he’d kissed me at my house, instinct told me that his passion would take over completely if I allowed it. The mere thought overwhelmed me, but right now, that was exactly what I wanted to do.
When we paused to breathe, I was tugging at his shirt.