When had a man wanted her just because she was a woman, just because she was herself, instead of wanting her because she was Princess Valentina Catherine Marie of Chantaine? Try never, she thought and immediately felt frustrated with herself. She led an amazing life. Why had she been so dissatisfied lately?
“Let me take you on the dance floor,” the man who’d approached her earlier said. “I can show you a good time.”
Be careful what you wish for, she told herself, but this was not the guy of her dreams. She sighed. “No, again,” she said firmly. “But thank you.”
His hand on her arm took her off guard. “No need to be so shy. We could have some fun.”
“No, thank you,” she said, pulling back her arm and frowning when he didn’t release her. She didn’t want to make a scene, but this man was making things difficult. In other circumstances, her security detail would handle this, but tonight she’d successfully ditched them. She hadn’t done that since college.
“I’m really not interested—”
“Excuse me,” she heard another man say. A deeper, sexier male voice slid down her spine like the smoothest cognac in the history of the world.
She glanced up and saw a tall, broad-shouldered man with black hair wearing a black Stetson, a black mask and a tux. “I believe you promised this dance to me,” he said, his blue eyes searing into hers through the slits of the mask.
Tina’s heart tripped over itself. She met his gaze and felt an instant inexplicable trust and attraction. She gave it a second thought, then dismissed it. “Yes, I did,” she said and accepted the hand he offered.
“Well, I guess,” the whiny-voiced man began.
The lone ranger, however, led her onto the dance floor and guided her into a slow dance to a romantic song. “It looked like he was causing you trouble.”
“I suppose so,” she said, hyper-aware of his strong chest and clean, musky scent.
“Should I not have interrupted?” he asked.
“No,” she said then corrected herself. “I mean yes.” She swallowed a groan.
His hard mouth lifted into a slight grin. “Which is it? Yes or no?”
“Both,” she said, stiffening her spine. “He was causing me trouble, but I should have handled it.”
He spun her around then drew her back against him. “Now you don’t have to.”
She couldn’t help smiling. “So I don’t.”
Tina danced through another song with the mysterious stranger, then the band took a break and he lifted her hand to his lips. “Maybe later,” he said and moved away. The crowd closed behind him like the Red Sea.
Tina looked around for him but couldn’t see him.
Keely appeared in front of her. “I’m sorry, sweetie, but the babysitter called and Caitlyn won’t stop crying. Brent and I are going home.”
“I’ll go with you,” Tina said.
“Absolutely not,” Keely said with a firm shake of her head. “This is your last chance to have fun for a while. We’ve already asked a friend to look after you.”
Tina cringed. “That’s not necessary.”
“It’s either that or your security,” Keely said. “There’s no need for you to leave now.”
Tina thought of the handsome man who’d danced with her earlier. Why not? “Okay. But I’ll probably get to your house in less than an hour.”
“Don’t rush. Remember, you’ve got Ericka’s wedding coming toward you like a freight train.”
The very thought exhausted her. “Okay, you’ve convinced me.”
“Hey,” Keely said. “The crab cakes are great.”
Tina laughed and gave Keely a hug. “Go home and comfort your baby.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Keely said then pulled back. “Call me if you need me.”
As Tina watched her friend walk away, she felt a combination of exhilaration and terror. She was officially all alone at a party. Except for Keely’s mysterious friend.
Zachary Logan watched the brown-haired beauty accept a glass of champagne from the tray the waiter offered her. She also accepted a crab cake.
He smiled to himself. He liked a woman with an appetite. His good friends Keely and Brent McCorkle had asked him to look after Tina Devereaux. The only thing he knew about the woman was that she was Keely’s guest from out of town. He owed Brent a favor so he would do what his good friend asked despite the fact that he had been counting the seconds until he could escape this party.
Zach had been cajoled into attending this party by both friends and relatives. It had been two years since his Jenny and their baby had died, and he’d gone into seclusion at his ranch outside of Fort Worth. The pain of his loss still stabbed at him, the memories gutting him like a fish.
For the first time, the gaiety of the social gathering lifted his spirits, and Tina flat-out made him smile. Full-figured, with good manners and an accent he couldn’t quite place, she looked at him with a feminine curiosity that grabbed at him and drew him.
She took a sip of bubbly, then licked her lips and he felt an odd twist in his stomach. With the mask covering much of her face, it was easy to focus on her full, puffy mouth, the color of a deep rose. Soft and sensual looking. He rubbed his thumb over his own mouth, feeling a slight buzz.
He shook his head at himself. Where had that thought come from? Noticing how she tapped her toe to the music, he took the hint and walked toward her.
“Another dance?” he suggested, extending his hand.
Her green eyes lit up. “That would be nice,” she said and looked around for a place to put her glass. He took it from her and nodded toward a waiter who came to collect it, then led her onto the dance floor.
She shimmied to a dance club tune, laughing throughout the song as if she were getting away with something. Her attitude was contagious and he caught himself smiling more than he had in months. The song blurred into another and another until a slow tune began and he pulled her into his arms.
“I just realized I don’t even know your name,” she said. “I’m Tina.”
“Zach,” he said. “Zach Logan.”
“I would have never expected it, but this is the most fun I’ve had in—” She paused, a surprised look coming over her face. “Forever,” she confessed.
He chuckled. “Maybe you’re like me. Maybe you need to get out more.”
“Oh, I get out,” she said. “Just not like this. I hate to see it end, but I need to leave before the big reveal.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I need to leave before everyone takes their masks off at the end of the evening.”
“Why? Do you want your identity to remain secret?”
She shot him a cautious glance and shrugged. “Something like that.” The music stopped and she started to pull away. “I should go. Thank you, Zach Logan.”
He couldn’t let her leave on her own. He’d promised Keely and Brent he would make sure she got home safely. “Let me take you,” he said. “Can’t have a beautiful woman like you leaving by herself. And I know a place close by that serves the best ice cream floats if you’re interested.”
She looked tempted. “I shouldn’t,” she said, her voice oozing reluctance.
“Why?” he challenged, not eager for the evening to end either. He would go back to his apartment,