Lars opened his mouth to say something, but his eyes darted over Kate’s shoulder as he came to a stop.
“It’s time to go, Kate.”
Turning, she saw Luc standing less than a foot away.
“I’m dancing right now,” she commented, not letting go of her partner’s hand. “I can find my way back. You go on.”
Luc pasted on a deadly smile and glanced at Lars. “I’m sure he will understand. Won’t you, Lars?”
The other man merely nodded and stepped back, but not before kissing Kate’s hand. “It was truly my pleasure.”
Then he disappeared in the crowd of dancers, most likely heading to find another partner. Kate jerked around, clenching her teeth.
“Watch what you say,” Luc warned as he took her arm and led her away. “I’ve got plenty to tell you, too, so save it until we’re alone.”
“What makes you think I’m going anywhere with you?” she said through gritted teeth. “You can’t tell me who to spend time with.”
Luc’s fingers tightened around her arm as he leaned in closer to her side. “Oh, we’re going to be alone, and I’m going to explain to you exactly why that little scene will never happen again.”
Fifteen
Luc was seething. He hated like hell that his emotions had overridden common sense, but the second he’d seen Kate dancing with Lars, all rational thoughts had vanished.
The palace was big enough to house the special guests of the bride and groom, so Luc was glad he didn’t have to drag Kate too far before he lit into her.
He’d purposely avoided her as much as he could because of her body-hugging dress. That damn gown nearly had him babbling like some horny teen, but he’d somehow managed to keep his tongue in his mouth when he first saw her. Luc knew if he’d stayed too close to Kate this evening, there would be no way to hide his obvious attraction.
And he couldn’t let the attraction show, because Kate might try to use that...for what? Wasn’t he set on using her?
Only now that he’d seen her in the arms of another man, the game had just changed. Luc wanted her. Right now.
He reached the second floor and headed down the hall to his suite. He had no clue if Kate was deliberately toying with him, but she had him tied in knots he’d never be able to untangle thanks to that little stunt with Lars...a man Luc despised.
“I want to go to my room,” she demanded, yanking from his hold as soon as he stopped in front of a set of double doors. “I’m not going in there with you.”
Resting his hand on the knob, Luc threw a smirk over his shoulder. “You are.”
Kate’s eyes narrowed. “No, my room is down the hall.”
Before he realized his intentions, he’d pulled her around, wedging her body between his and the door. “Your room is right here until I’m done with you.”
“Well, I’m already done talking. You were completely rude down there. You can’t just—”
His mouth covered hers. If she was done talking, then he’d find better use for that mouth and ignore all the damn red flags waving around in his mind. He didn’t care about all the reasons this was wrong, didn’t care that moments ago she’d been in another man’s arms. Right now she was in his arms, and he was taking full advantage of that lush, curvy body.
Kate’s hands came up to his shoulders to push at him, but Luc settled his palms on her hips and pressed against her. Suddenly, her fingertips were curling into his tuxedo jacket.
The feel of her rounded hips beneath her killer dress was just as potent as this steamy kiss. Kate tipped her head slightly, but the silent invitation was all he needed to trace a path with his tongue down the column of her throat.
“Luc,” she panted in a whisper. “We’re in the hallway.”
Gripping her hips, Luc rested his forehead against her collarbone. “You make me crazy, Kate. Out of my mind crazy.”
Reaching around her, he opened the door. As soon as they were inside, he closed it, flicked the lock and leaned back against it.
“Did you bring me to your suite to talk or to have sex?” she asked, her arms folded across her beautifully displayed chest. “Because I know what you said, but that episode in the hall has me confused.”
Luc remained where he was as he raked a hand down his face. “Lars isn’t a good idea.” He ignored her narrowed gaze. “Seeing you in his arms... He’s a player, Kate.”