A Slow-Burning Dance Read Free

but
reality was reality. “I won’t let that happen.” His voice was soft, and that
surprised her. It almost sounded apologetic. “Look, I know there are a lot of
stories circulating about me. It comes with the territory, but my intentions
are sincere. I would love to take you to the concert. Santino told me how much
you love their music.”
    She
took several deep breaths and tried to collect her thoughts so she could say
this without sounding like a shrew. “I haven’t seen you in six years and now
all of a sudden you’re giving me compliments, offering me a corner suite for
the same rent as an interior one, and asking me out on a date.”
    “Sela,
I—”
    She
cut him off. “I’m sure my brother tells you everything about me, so you must
know I’m not the kind of woman who dates around the way you do.”
    The
change that came over his face floored her. She’d hurt him just now, and she
felt terrible about that.
    “I’m
not asking you because I want to make you a conquest.”
    “Damien,
I’m sorry. It came out wrong.” That was an understatement.
    “Look,
I know what the tabloids say, and I’ve done my fair share of dating around, as
you call it, but there’s nothing implied here. You’re Santino’s sister, so I’m
happy to help you get the suite you want. You’re also a beautiful woman, and
wanting to take you to a concert isn’t a crime.”
    “We
haven’t spoken in six years. What’s changed?”
    “I
met you a long time ago. You were just a kid.”
    “I
was a nineteen year old woman.”
    “Sela,
I barely remember that day. If I hurt you in some way, I assure you it was
unintentional.”
    She
was stunned into silence, and he looked like he’d just stepped in a huge pile
of dog shit. She was being utterly unfair here. She’d been attracted to him the
second she met him, but he didn’t know that. He had done nothing hurtful toward
her then, and he wasn’t doing anything hurtful now. She was the one acting like
a bitch.
    The
atmosphere in the building was suddenly oppressive. Sela wanted to leave before
she did or said something foolish.
      “Thank you.” The response was automatic, but
she had to say something. “I’m really sorry. I never meant to upset you. You’re
right. We met a long time ago, and I’ve made assumptions about your life that
obviously aren’t true.”
    “Thank
you for that. I never meant to upset you either. The corner office is yours.
I’ll have the papers sent to your email this afternoon.”
    He
turned and walked out of the building before she could think of something else
to say. She followed, desperate to turn this around, but unable to find the
words. She was so damn confused right now, and wished someone would step in and
help her make sense of it. The guilt was horrible. What the hell was wrong with
her?
    The
same foreman Damien had been arguing with earlier walked toward them with a
pained look on his face, and Sela knew she’d lose her chance to salvage this
conversation in about two seconds. She opened her mouth to say
something—anything—but it was clear that Damien’s attention was already focused
on the next problem.
    “Take
care of yourself, Sela.”
    It
took her a second to speak. “Okay. Thanks. Bye.” She stood watching him walk
away, wanting to cry. What the hell had she done?
     

Chapter
Two
     
    Damien
forced his feet to keep moving toward Ernest Hamilton. He didn’t like the man
at all, and had already tried to persuade Tomás to fire him. Things were
already strained between him and Tomás over this project as it was. They’d
experienced endless delays and hang-ups, most of which had been initiated by
something Ernest didn’t like. Damien and Tomás been friends a long time, and
Damien didn’t want something as inconsequential as a strip mall remodel to ruin
their relationship.
    He
barely remembered meeting Sela Chavez, but he’d been such a smug prick back
then that didn’t surprise him. What little he did remember was that