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gorgeous when he gazed at her.
    More than anything, it brought back all the feelings of inadequacy she’d felt with Tim. The constant third wheel, unloved. The kind of girl who could only be a friend.
    Tasha was feeling very sorry for herself tonight. It was pathetic.
    â€œTasha?” The deep baritone tones that had been haunting her all day took her by surprise. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
    She felt a shudder as he drew closer. “Why?” Sheknew the one-word question sounded lame, but she was at her wit’s end.
    Instead of answering, C.J. handed her a flute of champagne. His eyes never left her face as he rested one arm on the railing. “You’re my date. Or did you forget?”
    â€œI don’t remember it being a date. I clearly recall telling you we were coming as friends in order to remember a friend.”
    C.J. gave her a weary smile. “That sounds like one of my lines.”
    With that remark, she coughed on the champagne she’d just swallowed, and shook her head. Tasha turned to look at the Golden Gate Bridge, beautifully lit, but her coughing spell continued.
    C.J. patted her back. “Let me know if you need CPR.”
    â€œThen you’d get to be—” another round of coughs interrupted her “—a hero twice in one day. I couldn’t bear to put you through that.”
    Tasha sipped from her flute to suppress another cough. “Seriously, how did you find me? If Terrance told you…” She could feel herself getting all riled up again.
    â€œYou can rest assured he didn’t give you away. I remember you talking to Tim about the views from the garden of this hotel. When I couldn’t find you downstairs, I thought I’d look for you up here.” C.J. gave her a thorough appraisal as he sipped his champagne. “You were right. The sights are incredible.”
    â€œBut you’re not looking at the city,” she said, going warm from head to toe. “I mean… Oh, I don’t knowwhat I mean.” Tasha rubbed the tense muscles at the back of her neck.
    â€œBennington off her guard? I don’t believe it.” His smile was warm and inviting.
    â€œI’m exhausted, C.J.”
    â€œYou gave an incredible speech tonight.” He inched closer as she reeled from his compliment.
    Tasha found she had to tip her head back to look up at him as C.J. grasped her hand and led her to a quiet spot. “Where are we going, Captain?”
    â€œSomewhere private.”
    Too tired to put up a fight, she let him lead her through the enchanting garden. He found a hidden corner behind a large fountain lit from below to create the appearance of an underwater cavern. There were mosaic tiles on the floor and flowers climbing the walls, all designed to provide a romantic ambience.
    She found she didn’t care why he’d brought her back here. The champagne had begun to take effect, making her relax a little. That was, until she saw where he wanted to sit—on an overstuffed love seat. She glanced around in confusion, feeling trapped.
    â€œHave you been here before?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” he replied lazily.
    C.J. sat down and with a simple tug pulled her onto the fat pillows beside him. Their bodies were touching. The contact brought flickers of desire to every cell of her body, terrifying her.
    â€œDo you have any idea how striking you look right now, Tasha?”
    She needed to calm that fluttery sensation in her stomach, but when he traced his fingertips across theback of her hand. Tasha felt as if he’d cast a spell on her. She had no option but to give in to her feelings for him.
    His fingers grew bolder as they began to make their way up her arm, filling her with a storm of emotions. Against her better judgment she turned toward him. Their eyes met.
    â€œYou look like the goddess Aphrodite.”
    â€œHave you ever seen her?”
    â€œNo, but I’ve heard of