Page 6 of Her Forbidden Bargain

“Hmm?”

“She’s not like your other women⁠—”

“I know that, Gui.”

Gui nodded. “I can’t believe that Christos is married.”

“It’s not the death sentence you think it is.” Though he’d never admit it, Tristan envied Gui his attitude. Gui had never been serious about one woman, and he moved through life with a kind of light charm that Tristan admired.

The music changed and a sweet, slow song came on. Couples filled the dance floor with Ava and Christos in the center. They seemed so…He shook his head, not willing to go there.

“I have to go,” Gui suddenly said.

“Why?”

“Those men are too old for Augustina,” Gui said, acting the protective older brother to his sister, who had been Gui’s companion in the wedding party. Tristan bit back a smile as he watched his friend wedge his way between Augustina and her suitors.

He felt a small hand on his arm and glanced down at Sheri. “Having fun?” he asked.

“Yes. I can’t believe I was reluctant to come,” she said. Her breath smelled faintly of champagne. She held a half-empty glass in her right hand. She tucked her left hand between his arm and body.

She closed her eyes and swayed to the music. Just a little movement and humming under her breath.

“Are you enjoying the reception?” he asked.

“Yes, I am. Ava’s so sweet. Thank you for inviting me to join you this week.”

“You’re welcome. I believe I owe you something.”

“What do you owe me, Tristan?”

There was a dreamy quality to her voice. From the first it had been obvious to him that she was attracted to him. But she was careful to keep that attraction to herself and had put a barrier between them. Put him into a box, so it seemed. But tonight…tonight, with the trio playing romantic music and the wine flowing freely, none of that mattered.

“Dance with me, ma douce?”

She smiled up at him. “I’d love to.”

He had never seen that exact look in her eyes before. “You seem different.”

“Maybe that’s because we’re not in the office.”

“No, we are not. What difference does that make to you, Sheri?”

“It makes all the difference in the world, Tristan.”

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned up on tiptoe, brushing her lips against his neck. “This is so nice.”

Tristan knew he should pull away and let her go but instead he leaned down, put his hand under her chin and tipped her head up toward his. His lips found hers easily and she sighed into his mouth as their lips met.

The wedding that she’d been nervous about participating in had taken on a certain dreamlike state. The champagne was good. Very good. There really was a difference between that stuff she bought in the grocery store and fine French champagne.

The music was chic and sexy and, as Sheri leaned closer to Tristan, she realized that he was, too. His cologne was one of a kind and smelled delicious. She’d never get enough of it. Even at work the scent lingered in his office when he was away.

She knew it was partly the alcohol she’d drunk that gave the evening the magical quality that it was taking on as she danced with Tristan, but just this once she felt as if she was woman enough for him.

The right kind of woman for Tristan Sabina, international playboy, her boss and the sexiest man she’d ever danced with.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, his French accent nearly as appealing as the strong line of his jaw.