Maris jerked his chin toward the dance floor. “Let’s really get under their skin and rub their noses in it, shall we?”
Laughing, she set her glass down, then took his proffered arm and allowed him to lead her toward the other dancers.
Once they reached the floor, he swept her into his arms and masterfully guided her through the elaborate steps.
Bored beyond human endurance, Darling glanced away as he tried not to roll his eyes at the ancient gerent in front of him who was droning on and on about the good old days under the reign of Darling’s grandfather.
As he glanced around the room, his gaze was drawn to a bright flash of maroon—a color only one woman had permission to wear tonight.
The moment he focused on Maris and Zarya as they danced together and laughed, his blood began racing. If anyone other than Maris dared to hold her like that and make her appear so deliriously happy, they’d be searching the dance floor for their body parts.
As it was, Darling was captivated by her beauty and vitality as they swirled together. Strange how, in all these years, he’d never known that she could dance. Never mind, do it so well.
He went instantly hard.
Desperate to be the one who added the color to her cheeks and make her laugh like that, he excused himself, then headed to the dance floor. In the back of his mind, he was well aware of the gossipmongers who watched and ruthlessly shredded his every movement. As governor, he wasn’t supposed to dance at all. It was considered beneath his position.
However, he was a different breed than his predecessors. Tradition had a place in the world.
But it wasn’t here tonight.
Maris pulled her to a stop as he saw Darling’s approach. With an extremely formal bow, he surrendered her to Darling’s custody.
Her face lighting with a smile that set fire to every part of him, Zarya took his hand and allowed him to pick up where Maris had stopped. “I didn’t think you were allowed to do this.”
“Fuck them,” Darling said nonchalantly. “What good is being governor if I can’t dance with the most beautiful woman here?”
Zarya’s blood raced as he dipped her low. The strength of his arm supporting her made her think of other times when he’d held her in private. Something that made her even more breathless than the quick dance.
His lips were so close to hers that it was all she could do not to kiss them. He straightened her, then twirled her around, and brought her back against the front of his hard body. Her head reeled from the sensation of all that power surrounding her as they moved in perfect synchronicity. With each step, she could feel how much he desired her as her hip brushed against his groin. It left her even more breathless and weak.
She turned to face him. “You keep doing that, my lord, and we’re going to really scandalize them.”
The grin on his face made her heart soar. “I’m game if you are.”
The music quickened.
Darling spun her around again, faster and faster. Never had she danced like this. She could feel the muscles in his arms bulging as he gracefully guided her around the room. The wonderful scent of him made her senses reel.
Everything and everyone faded except him. It was as if only the two of them existed. She was completely captivated by the heated look on his handsome face, and the warmth of his touch.
When the music finally stopped, he supported her entire weight with only one arm. His hair disheveled, he had beads of sweat falling from his temples. Bent in an arc, she stared up at him as he cupped her face with his left hand. His breathing was as ragged as hers. In that moment, she was desperate to taste him. This time, she couldn’t resist those lips that held the tiniest hint of a smile.
Sinking her hand into his soft, red hair, she pulled his mouth to hers so that she could kiss him.
Darling’s head spun as Zarya explored his mouth with a hunger that left him even harder than their dancing had. Oh yeah, this was what he needed…
It wasn’t until he heard an off-key note that he remembered they weren’t alone.
In fact, they were the center of everyone’s attention. He gave her one last second before he pulled back and regretfully returned her weight to her feet.
Zarya went completely still as she straightened and became aware of all the mocking gazes fixed on them. Heat scorched her cheeks.
I look like the biggest slut of all time…
In public.
Why didn’t the universe provide rotating black holes on planets that could swallow people whole when they needed them to?
“Don’t let their bitter viciousness steal your happiness,” Darling whispered in her ear before he placed a tender kiss on her cheek. Tucking her hand into the crook of his arm, he led her toward his throne.
Arms akimbo, Maris gave them both an angry, condemning stare while he tapped his foot against the stone floor. “You never danced with me like that.”
Zarya scowled as she tried to understand why Maris was so upset at her. “We only had the one dance.”
“He’s not talking to you, love,” Darling said in her ear.
Oh…