Read The Courtship of Dani for Free Online Page B

Despite her best efforts, she was uncomfortably aware of Jason. From the corner of her eye she registered each subtle shift of that leanly muscled body, every movement of those large, beautifully masculine hands. His size, his nearness, the oddly seductive quality of his deep, gravelly voice—everything about him—irritated her, making her feel prickly and strangely keyed up. It was a new sensation for Dani, and she found she did not like it. Not one bit.
    An excellent combo was playing mellow music. When they had finished eating, Dani eagerly accepted Phil's invitation to dance, grateful for an excuse to escape Jason, if only for a few minutes.
    "Now, would you mind telling me what's going on?" Phil asked when he had drawn her into his arms on the minute dance floor.
    Dani looked up, surprised. An amused smile curved Phil's mouth and his hazel eyes glinted devilishly. Arching her brows, Dani gave him a guileless look. "What do you mean?"
    "Come on, sweetheart, don't play dumb with me. I've been picking up strange vibrations since the moment we arrived. All evening you've been giving St. Clair your polite, deep freeze treatment, and he's been looking at you the way a hungry tiger eyes a particularly delectable morsel."
    Startled, Dani's head snapped up. Pure panic flared briefly in her wide blue eyes. "Don't be silly. Jason St. Clair can barely tolerate me." Taking a firm grip on her runaway emotions, she gave him an ironic smile and shook her head. "The minute he found out that I was to head the consultant team assigned to his company he insisted that Frank replace me."
    "That was business, but believe me, the way he looks at you is strictly personal."
    Dani's heart seemed to do a little dance against her ribs. "No. No, you're wrong," she denied stubbornly. "The man has barely spoken to me. I'm sure he will be just as relieved as I will when the evening is over."
    Amusement and disbelief sparkled in Phil's eyes, but he merely chuckled and whirled her out of the way of another couple. Dani darted a look over his shoulder at their table. Paul and Marge were dancing also, and Jason and Linda sat alone with their heads close together, deep in conversation. No, she told herself firmly. Phil's just imagining things.
    When the music ended they found themselves standing beside Paul and Marge, and when the older man suggested changing partners, Dani agreed readily. Paul was a good dancer, and as he guided her around the floor they chatted together easily. By the time the music came to a halt, Dani had dismissed Phil's ridiculous claim as pure nonsense.
    When she and Paul reached the table Jason was standing beside her chair, but instead of holding it out for her as she had expected, he smiled and extended his hand. "My turn, I think," he said in that deep gravelly voice.
    All of Dani's apprehensions came rushing back, causing her heart to pound. Staring into those fathomless dark eyes, Dani silently berated herself. You fool. You left yourself wide open for this by dancing with Phil and Paul.
    Dancing with Jason was the last thing she wanted, but knowing there was no tactful way she could refuse, Dani put her hand in his and allowed him to lead her back to the dance floor.
    The strange prickly sensation she had experienced all evening grew infinitely worse when Jason took her into his arms and began to move to the slow, romantic music. Dani held her body stiffly and stared over his shoulder.
    "Relax," Jason instructed, chuckling softly as he pulled her closer. "I'm not going to bite you."
    "I didn't think you were," Dani replied, slanting him a cool look.
    Her insides were trembling wildly, and her chest was tight. Dani could not remember ever being so totally, vitally aware of a man before, and it annoyed her immensely. The arm that curved around her waist was as unyielding as iron. Splayed across her bare back, his big hand pressed intimately against her flesh, scorching like a brand. She felt surrounded by his warmth and his