CHAPTER ONE
The music was a slow, sentimental ballad, spinning its love theme for the few couples on the floor. The subdued lighting added to the magic of the moment, creating another romantic spell.
A happy sigh slid through Erica's lips as she felt the caressing touch of Forest's chin against her dark hair. Her fingers curled tighter around his neck while she lightly rubbed the side of her head along his chin and jawline in a feline gesture, smiling when she felt his mouth against her hair.
Tilting her head back, she gazed into his tanned face, admiring again his striking looks, the commanding strength in repose signified by the square jaw and the cleft in his chin, the sensual line of his mouth, and the velvet touch of his brown eyes as they possessively examined her face.
To speak in a normal voice might break the spell, so Erica whispered softly instead. 'Would it sound very corny and silly if I said that I could do this all night?'
'With me or with anyone?' Forest murmured. An eyebrow, the same light brown shade as his hair, arched to tease her.
'That's another thing I like about you. You never take me for granted.' Her soft voice trembled with the depth of her emotion and Erica buried her head in his shoulder, knowing her violet eyes were much too expressive of her thoughts.
'What else do you like about me?' His lips were moving against the silken length of her hair again, igniting warm fires in her veins.
'Conceited?' she taunted him, but with a catch in her husky voice.
'Where you are concerned I need all the assurance I can get.' The arm around her waist tightened, holding her closer to his muscular body as if he expected her to slip away. 'Tell me.' His growling order was a mock threat, but one Erica was only too happy to obey.
Hesitant to reveal how deeply she cared for this man who was noted for his careless and carefree association with women, she adopted a light-hearted air.
'For starters, you don't make all those affirmative noises when Daddy is around. You're independent and very secure about your own ability. You're much too handsome for a girl's peace of mind. Elusive, always managing to escape being led down the altar and all the while making a girl believe she's the only one in your life.' Erica raised her head from his shoulder and encountered the smouldering light in his eyes. With her lashes, she shielded the answering light in her own eyes. 'A girl wants to forget everything her parents taught her when she's with you.'
'Not all girls.' His hand cupped her chin, lifting it so he could gaze thoughtfully into her face. 'Certainly not you. That first night I took you out, I was ready to agree that all those rumours about you being an ice maiden were true. To be perfectly honest, Erica, in the beginning you were a challenge.' White teeth flashed as his mouth curved in a rueful smile. 'I don't believe anyone has said "no" to me as many times as you have.'
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