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His hands tightened on her waist and his eyes narrowed "Explain" He pulled her a bit closer "What’s wrong, Lauren?" He stopped dancing and just stared down at her with intense, probing eyes "What are you telling ered, a fine mist that seemed to travel over her entire body

His reaction overwhelh her What had ? She wasn’t Julie She kne to play the courtroo I… It was silly Forget I said anything"

Abruptly, Royce took her hand and led her off the dance floor, forcing her to double-step to keep pace in high heels Too quickly, before she could gain her wits back, Royce had her in a corner, where she leaned against the wall as he rested a shoulder next to her He was so close and so big that she was successfully blocked fro a bit intimidated as he towered over her, and a lot nervous about his reaction to her words, she questioned him, "Royce?"

His voice was raspy when he spoke, his eyes so intense she felt they y "What are you saying toyou need to tell--"

"No," she said quickly, thinking again how terribly, horribly bad she was at seduction The er "Ito back down Not when Royce Walker had her trapped in a small corner and she liked it so very, veryherself to act on her desire to touch hi her hand on his deliciously perfect chest Inhibitions be damned, she vowed "I… want"

"You hat?"

"You" Oh my God, had she really just said that?

His eyes narrowed, his voice lowering an octave "Are you saying that scares you?"

"In a good way," she adood way

Suddenly Julie’s voice broke into their exchange "Sorry to break up the party, but it’s cake ti for Lauren"

Lauren could have screamed at her friend’s unti a quick look over his shoulder and saying, rather than asking, "Give us one minute"

Julie cleared her throat "Hurry" And then she was gone