The Millionaire Door Prize (Erotic Romance) Read Free

silence, except for her heavy breathing and the spoons hitting the bowls. After only several bites, Alyssa set her spoon down and pushed away from the table.
    “Alyssa, please don’t leave ,” he urged, wiping his mouth and laying his napkin on the table.
    “Why are you doing this?” she asked, sitting sideways in her chair , unable to look at him.
    He shrugged. “I guess it’s what I do. I help people who look like they need help. And you . . . my heart aches seeing you in pain and in serious need of help; a friend, anyone who will listen, hold you if you need be and comfort you.”
    “Why even bother?” she asked , sighing heavily and again blinking her eyes to keep from crying. Her jaw clenched.
    “Because everyone needs someone,” he assured her.
    She laughed , just shaking her head, unable to reply.
    Xander got up from the table , and her eyes flitted to him warily. He pushed the table toward the door, and then shoved the couch and coffee table out of the way. She watched with a curious expression as he put a CD in the large stereo, hit play, and moved to the open floor. He held his hand out to her as the slow, romantic song played. She looked at his hovering hand, but made no move to take it. He shook his hand at her, silently hoping she would take it. Giving in, Alyssa shrugged her shoulders and put her hand in his. Xander gently positioned her left hand on his upper right arm and wrapped his around her, placing his hand just below her shoulder blade. Keeping her eyes focused on his, he curled his fingers around her free hand and held it between them.
    Slowly he start ed to dance, keeping her close to him.
    “Relax , Alyssa. I’m not trying to hurt you. We’re just dancing,” he said, feeling how tense she was.
    “Why?”
    “Because if we truly don’t have much to say to each other, then dancing is a good solution. We don’t have to talk. We can just dance and enjoy the music,” he said smiling and dipping her. She gasped and clung to him. He stood her back up, grinning even more with a look of mischief. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he said continuing with their slow dance.
    “I am a lousy dancer ,” she complained.
    “You are not . You’re just nervous. First you need to relax, and second, please let me lead.” She lowered her eyes and accidentally stepped on his feet a couple times. He stopped them abruptly.
    “Alyssa, relax. ”
    She nodded.
    “Take a deep breath, hold it . . . release. Again, deep breath, hold it . . . release.” He shook her arms in his, shaking off the tension. “Again, now just feel how I’m moving and follow me,” he directed, and again they were dancing. This time she was a little more fluid. “Much better,” he said and twirled her in a quick circle, catching her in his arms. She rested her hands on his chest, their erratic breathing mingled, then she lowered her head again. He returned them to their dancing positions and continued on, not allowing her time to think about her cheating boyfriend and the earlier night’s events. They didn’t speak; she just allowed him to dip, twirl, and hold her. This was like nothing she had ever done in her life and as the songs wore on, a smile crested her lips and added warmth to the candlelit room.
    “I probably should go home now ,” she said, panting and about to step away, but he held her fast. The sparkle in her eye dimmed as she stared at their hands, his clutching hers a little too tight.
    “Why, to go back to him ? Why go home only to be lonely?” he asked without hesitation. She flinched at his words. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to be so blunt,” he added.
    “So what, I ’m not allowed to go home. I guess I’m supposed to stay here with you. Is that what you’re saying? Don’t go home to my cheating boyfriend, but stay with a complete stranger? Is that your answer to my problems?” she asked, stepping away from him to once more sit on the couch, the pillow again her only