The Choice Read Online Free PDF Page A

her hand in his, drawing her onto the dance floor. When they reached the center, he took her into his arms.
    Jillian stepped back, protesting. “Shouldn’t we be where we can see him?”
    “My men can handle it.” He drew her back.
    “Cullinane, I don’t want to do this. Can’t we just go back and say I hurt my foot?”
    His jaw clenched. “It’s not my choice, either, but Klaus obviously wants to talk without either of us listening. He knows the other guards can’t get that close.”
    She wrinkled her forehead. “But why would he not want you to hear?”
    “Klaus doesn’t really trust anyone. Everyone will betray him at some point, to his way of thinking.”
    “But you’re his closest—” She stopped, confused.
    “Closest what? Surely you weren’t going to say friend. The man has no friends, MacGregor. That’s how he’s stayed alive this long. He merely mistrusts me less than the others. And he loves to play mind games.”
    “But...”
    “But nothing, MacGregor. Be quiet and dance.” He held her loosely, but she was deeply aware of his powerful body so close to hers. The slow, hypnotic music seeped into her bones, heated her blood. 
    “I don’t want to dance with you.”
    “Tough.” On the crowded dance floor, he swayed slowly, one warm hand against her exposed skin. “You wanted the job.”
    “Cullinane...” The slight nubby feel of his silk blazer stroked her cheek as he moved. She held herself stiffly, but fighting his draw was a challenge. The air was choked with a moody magic that had too much to do with this dark, brooding man who practically oozed pheromones, and resisting from this proximity was all but impossible. She tried again to pull back before she succumbed, but his hold made that impossible. His warm breath ruffled the hair at her temple, and the slow, sexy music worked its magic, relaxing her by inches. She breathed in the scent of him, an intriguing combination of sandalwood, citrus...and man.
    For just a moment, she imagined that he wasn’t her enemy, that they were free to respond to the chemistry that had been there from the first meeting, the crackle in the air every time they were near. No question he was ungodly sexy, a powerful male in his prime. Male called to female as they swayed together, just on the fringes of reality. He twirled her in a tight turn, and she let her body relax. His muscled thigh slid between hers as the sultry beat washed over them.
    She shivered, and desire pooled deep within. He pulled her closer still, and she couldn’t miss his body’s response.
    The song ended. For one breathless second, their gazes met, the smoke from his gray eyes curling deep inside her. Then gray hardened to steel as he tensed. She jerked back, remembering who he was, what he represented. Loathing filled her that for even one moment she could have forgotten why she was here.
    Giving him her back, she headed off the dance floor. He didn’t follow. When she glanced over her shoulder, she saw him standing very still, his mask firmly in place.
    It never happened, she told herself. Catching Hafner’s curious look, she squared her shoulders. There lay her goal. Nothing and no one would stop her, not even though Cullinane made her mouth go dry.
    He reacted to her, too—she’d felt it. The thought cheered her. Hope you hurt, Cullinane. Hope you suffer. Maybe you’ll slip up and give me the chance to hurt Hafner.
    Now there was a thought. Could she play Cullinane well enough to compromise him?
    Jillian shook her head. Not in this lifetime. Hafner was enough of a handful. Cullinane ate girls like her for breakfast. Better not play that game.
    She turned her thoughts to surviving the evening. Hafner’s pawing.
    And Cullinane’s stony stare.
    * * *
    At five-thirty, as always, Cullinane began his workout, pushing himself harder than usual to punish himself for last night’s lapse.
    Christ, was he out of his mind? It had been years since he’d been led around by his cock.