CHAPTER FIFTEEN

AVERY

It's fun dancing around Dominic. I'm free to be as bold as I please because it isn"t like I'm really into him. Sure, we've kissed. Yeah, I might have ground against him like a cat in heat that day at his empty office. But those are anomalies. Anomalies brought on by dumb hormones.

Because it can't be anything more.

Dominic frustrates me. Brings out my snarky side. And, apparently, doesn"t like to dance.

That's three strikes in my book.

Don't forget you plan on ditching Suitor's Crossing for opportunities elsewhere, too. Not that I want to leave town, but it's most likely any new job I get won't be here.

The upbeat song ends, and a slower one replaces it. Out of breath, I stopped in front of Dominic, prepared for him to stalk off the dance floor after my little show, but instead, he tugged me closer with two large hands clamped around my waist. Immediately, my palms go to his broad shoulders for balance.

"I thought you didn"t like dancing. Now you have a change of heart?"

Confusing man!

"This is more my pace," he explains as the knuckles of one hand wander up and down my stomach, each time moving higher then lower as if he can't decide what he wants to touch first.

I try forcing some space between us, but Dominic's hold tightens. "You"re too close." My voice comes out breathier than I"d like, revealing my inner turmoil.

We"ve been doing so well keeping things professional. I figured he"d given up and moved on to some other, more willing woman.

The thought causes a slight pang in my chest, but I shove that down deep. I don"t want to feel anything more for Dominic than general friendliness.

That's it. Period.

"I"m not close enough."

The rumbled admission has my body swaying forward, attempting to erase the distance between us, despite the warning bells in my head. His mouth hovers right above mine, and I study his five o"clock shadow, remembering the roughness of it against my own cheek.

God, I cannot be turned on by this man.

"I don"t like you," I state, reminding myself as well.

"Do you even believe that anymore?"

Not as convincing as I"d hoped it would seem. A shaky "It"s the truth" bursts free as I tear myself away from his possession before the song ends, retreating to the safety of Louise and Elsie on the sidelines.

Elsie gives me an I told you so look but doesn"t utter a word.

Good…Because I'm not prepared to defend myself against her, too.