“You,” he purred, “are the most interesting woman I’ve met in a long time. You have the most incredible breasts. And beautiful hair. I want to see how it looks on my pillow.”
Anger
misting his vision, Lucas opened his mouth, but before he could speak Eva reached up and tugged out a strand of blond hair.
“Here.” She handed it over and her voice was kind. “You can take this one and find out. Unfortunately my breasts are attached to me, so I can’t give you one of those to take home.”
Lucas stilled. He knew Michael was considered a catch and he’d expected Eva to fall hook, line and sinker for his smooth patter.
Instead she’d done what few women did. She’d rejected him.
Michael recognized the snub and his mouth tightened, but he wasn’t about to give up, particularly when he realized Lucas had overheard. “Let’s dance.”
Eva shook her head. “No, but thank you.”
“You’re a very beautiful woman. I’m interested in getting to know you better.”
“Are you?” Eva studied him thoughtfully. “How about my brain? Are you interested in that part of me? Or my feelings? What makes me laugh and cry?”
Michael looked mildly alarmed. “I—”
“I didn’t think so. When you say you’re interested in me, what you really mean is that you’re interested in taking me somewhere dark and having sex with me. There’s nothing wrong with that, except that I’m not interested.” She smiled up at him. “Thank you for the compliment. Enjoy your evening.”
With that she turned and walked slap into Lucas.
“My turn for a dance, I think.” He took Eva’s hand in his and hauled her against him, ignoring her startled look.
Michael’s brows rose. “Lucas? Didn’t realize you two knew each other.”
“We’re living together.” Lucas saw Eva’s eyes narrow in a warning and Michael smiled, the anger gone from his face.
“That explains everything. You always were a man of excellent taste. Enjoy the ball.” He walked away and Eva turned back to Lucas.
“Why did you do that? Why did you say that?”
“He was making a move on you.”
“And I handled it! But now he assumes that the reason I refused him is because I’m with you, not because he was behaving like a douche bag.”
“It’s better that way. He’s a man whose ego means a lot to him. I know him, Eva.”
“You know everyone! Unfortunately I don’t, and I never will unless you stay on the other side of the room.”
“I’m watching out for you. I’m here to save you from yourself.” He ignored the little voice inside him that told him his intervention had little to do with her and everything to do with him.
“Did I look as if I needed saving?”
“Eva, he’s a serial heartbreaker. And he has a wife.”
“I know.”
“You do? How?”
“He has a pale ring of skin on the finger where his wedding ring should be. Proof that he only takes it off when it is no longer convenient to be married.” She sighed and slid her arm into his. “I’m touched that you cared enough to come shooting over here to save me. It’s a lovely trait, but I’ve been dealing with guys like him since I was a teenager. Guys who stare at my chest and my hair and assume I can’t string a sentence together.”
“A first meeting in a place like this is almost always predicated on sexual attraction.”
“True, but I can tell when a guy just wants to get inside my pants and when someone actually likes me enough to want to know me better.” Her smile dimmed. “It’s probably the reason I’ve been celibate for so long. The sad truth is, most men don’t want to know me better, so that probably makes me an idealist.”