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She couldn’t speak for a moment as Tiago drew her into his arms, swamping her with many emotions, chief amongst which was an intense awareness of him. This was more than she had expected to experience in one night. He was so much more. It was hard to breathe, or to register anything beyond Tiago’s masculinity, and it took all she’d got to concentrate long enough to answer him.
‘I’m glad you teased me away from Lizzie. I guess old habits die hard. We’ve practically been welded to each other since we were children.’
‘And then Chico came along?’ he guessed.
‘That’s right,’ she admitted, smiling wryly.
‘So you and Lizzie have been friends for a long time?’
‘Yes, but I should have taken the hint faster that Chico wanted to be with his bride—so thanks for that.’
‘Is that why you were in the stables earlier, Danny? Were you wondering how your life would go forward from now on, without Lizzie to confide in?’
‘You’re too smart,’ she said. His intuition was unsettling.
‘It’s understandable,’ he argued, drawing her into his hard-muscled frame so they could dance as one. ‘You’re bound to consider how this will change things between you, and we all need quiet times to sort out our heads. Did you come to a conclusion?’
She was coming to a few conclusions now. She wished she wasn’t wearing such a provocative dress—it was giving Tiago all the wrong signals. He was making her wonder if she had come downstairs too soon.
Her body was rioting at the touch of Tiago’s hands and the warmth of his breath on her skin. Having her hand in his was electrifying. Having him direct her movements, even in this harmless dance, was equally disturbing. She had to remind herself that dance was the lifeblood of Brazil, and that it was a means of expression that very few nations could use to such good effect. Right now Tiago and dance had combined to stunning effect.
And she had to keep it up for a little while longer, Danny reasoned, if only because Lizzie was watching them with concern. One dance with the most dangerous man in the room. She could handle that. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be intimidated ever again—not by life, and not by Tiago.
They fitted together perfectly, considering Tiago was twice her size. He moved so well he made it easy for her. She found herself moving rhythmically with him in a way that was sexy, even suggestive, but it was just one dance, she reassured herself.
They were close enough to the top table for Lizzie to flash anxious glances their way, and she smiled back to confirm that everything was all right.
And it might have been had she not been moving closer and closer to Tiago. He didn’t force her to. His touch remained frustratingly light. But the music was compelling her to do this. It was intoxicating, and the pulse of South America was soon running through her veins. She could feel his muscles flexing as he teased all her senses at once. If she moved away he brought her back.
There weren’t many men who looked good dancing, but Tiago was one of them. Maybe because he was an athlete. His body was supple and strong. And he was Brazilian—dark and mysterious and sexy, with a passion he carried everywhere with him. She trembled as he dipped his head and his warm, minty breath brushed her face.
‘I didn’t know you were such a good dancer, Danny.’
‘Neither did I,’ she admitted.
His firm lips slanted in a sexy smile. ‘It must be because you’re dancing with me.’
She laughed at his engaging self-assurance.
‘You were such a tomboy in Brazil.’
‘I’m still a tomboy, Senhor Santos.’
‘Tiago, please,’ he murmured, in a husky whisper that raised every tiny hair on the back of her neck.
She couldn’t deny she was disappointed to learn that Tiago still thought of her as a tomboy. She was a woman—a woman with needs. She was a confused woman, still recovering from the shock of an attack, but sufficiently recovered to know how deeply this man affected her. And dance was the perfect outlet for her emotions. Dance was a means of expression when words wouldn’t come.
When the music faded and the band took a break she felt awkward suddenly, and glanced longingly towards the exit, where the double doors were open wide.
‘Have you had enough?’ Tiago asked.
She flashed a glance up at him. ‘I’m sorry—am I being so obvious?’
‘Too much too soon for you, I think,’ he said wisely.
Once again that intuition of his was a warning of how easily he could read her. Tiago was too much too soon, and always would be, Danny suspected. If she had known how it would feel to be in his arms, how she would feel, she would never have agreed to dance with him.
‘I do have one suggestion,’ he murmured.
‘Yes?’ She glanced up and felt her heart turn over.
‘Just wait a moment before you go. The DJ has taken over from the band, so have one more dance with me.’
She was just basking in the idea that Tiago enjoyed dancing with her when he spoke again.
‘That way it will give Chico enough time to make Lizzie forget everything—including you.’
Danny’s eyes flashed wide. His comment had stung. That was what happened when she dropped her guard around Tiago Santos. But he was right. She had to let her friend go and move on.
‘If you’re sure you don’t mind dancing with me?’ There were so many much prettier girls in the room.
‘I’m sure,’ Tiago confirmed with an amused look.
This was the type of thing she would have liked to discuss with Lizzie. They had both led such hectic, fractured lives as children, and had protected each other until their lives had been sewn together again by Lizzie’s grandmother and by the housekeeper, Annie, both of whom had been determined that neither child would suffer because of their less than responsible parents.
‘Shall I get you out of here?’ Tiago suggested, after a short time longer on the dance floor.
She refocused fast. ‘Sorry—was I frowning?’
‘Yes,’ he confirmed with amusement. ‘I’m disappointed you can’t concentrate on me.’
‘Maybe that’s why I’m frowning,’ she suggested with a wry smile.
‘Now I’m hurt.’
She doubted that. And she was willing to bet Tiago knew everything she was thinking. But she was starting to feel the strain of keeping up a bright and breezy front after what had happened in the stable.
‘Are you serious about getting me out of here?’
‘Absolutely,’ Tiago said, steering her towards the door.
The other couples on the dance floor quickly closed over the gap they’d left and it was as if they’d never been there, Danny thought as she glanced over her shoulder.
‘Don’t look round,’ Tiago advised. ‘Keep on walking. No one will notice we’re leaving—I’m thinking of Lizzie now—unless you draw attention to yourself.’
They wove their way through the tables with Tiago’s hand resting lightly in the small of her back. His touch was like a lightning transmitter and the force field didn’t let up—not even when he drew to a halt in the shadows beneath the staircase in the hall.
‘I’ll see you to your room,’ he said.
She shook her head decisively. ‘There’s no need for that.’
‘But I insist.’
The only explanation she could give for not putting up a better fight was that she was still in a state of shock. Why else hadn’t she resisted his suggestion?
When they reached her bedroom door and Tiago opened it for her, he stood back.
‘Goodnight, Danny.’
She held her breath as he ran one fingertip lightly down her cheek.
Why had he done that?
‘Try to get some sleep,’ he suggested gently before she could process that thought. ‘This has been quite a night for you.’
In every way, she thought, still tingling from his touch as Tiago turned away.
‘Goodnight, Tiago. And thank you...’
She watched him go, and only when his footsteps had faded and disappeared did she realise she was still holding her breath.
CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_eb05e82d-98e9-5889-9ac1-edd3cfdff3be)
HE NEEDED A WIFE. Danny needed money. He had a plan. Danny was an intelligent, gutsy woman, and time was running out for the ranch. He would make her an offer. Every marriage was a bargain of some sort. People said they got married for love, but did they never sit back to think about the benefits to both parties? Not even when the occasional doubt crept in? Love might make the world go round, but without money the world and everyone in it would go to hell in a bucket.
He could offer Danny a shortcut to her dream, while marriage to her would secure the ranch for him. Getting the amount of money Danny needed for her venture must seem like a pipe dream to her—but for him...? Money was the least of his problems.
He’d ask her tomorrow. He’d lay everything out so she knew exactly where she stood. Their deal would be secured by a legal contract. And, as a bonus, he wanted her. He’d wanted her since Brazil.
He only had to think about the families who depended on him back in Brazil to know this was the right thing to do. When Danny met them she would agree too.
‘Chico?’ He had just spotted his friend in a rare moment away from his bride. It was time to put his plan into action.
‘Yes, my friend...’
Chico Fernandez was another powerful polo player, with the dark flashing looks of South America.
Chico placed his arm around Tiago’s shoulders. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘Danny works for you, doesn’t she?’
‘Danny?’ Chico raised a brow. ‘You’re interested in Danny? She’s a pretty little thing. I don’t blame you. I’m glad you were able to help her today and, yes, she works here. Why do you ask?’
‘I’d like to take Danny back to Brazil with me—if that’s okay with you?’ he asked dryly.
‘Do I have any option?’
‘No,’ he said flatly, ignoring Chico’s black look.
‘So you want Danny to come work for you.’ Chico’s eyes narrowed. ‘She’s a great rider, and a promising trainer, but you don’t need any more staff. What’s going on, Tiago?’
‘Danny wants her own place, and I think I can help her with that plan.’
‘Really?’ Chico stared at him suspiciously. ‘Danny’s had her problems—as you know. Are you going to add to them?’
‘That is not my intention.’
‘Don’t hurt her, Tiago. Please remember that Danny Cameron is my wife’s best friend.’
‘I want to give her a hand up—that’s all. I feel bad for her after what happened today.’
Chico frowned. ‘I’ll have a word with Lizzie—smooth the way for you.’
‘That’s all I ask, my friend.’
* * *
Danny collapsed with relief on the bed. It was one thing holding it together in public, but now she was here on her own...
Putting her arms over her head, she tried to pretend she didn’t want to feel Tiago’s arms around her—and a lot more besides. Could she really go through all that heartbreak again, with another polo player? Hadn’t she learned her lesson?
Not that Tiago was anything like Carlos Pintos, but he was well out of her league. And how was she supposed to forget how it had felt to be in Tiago’s arms on the dance floor? Or how she’d thrilled with pleasure when they’d moved together so effortlessly? How was she supposed to forget that?
She had to forget. She had to file it away with all the other good memories to pull out and reflect on whenever she needed a boost. Tiago was going back to Brazil soon. He would probably be gone by the time she got up in the morning.
While she’d stay here and nothing would change. She would still be working at Rottingdean when she was an old woman—still sending what money she could to her mother. It was never enough. Her mother had no idea about saving, or making do, or even working for a living. But if Danny stayed here she would never have the chance to build a nest egg. She would never own her own place—
So it was time to get moving—get on with life and make as much of a success of it as she could. She had more sense than to waste her time daydreaming about Tiago Santos.
* * *
She woke to a chilly grey dawn. Grimacing, she pulled the covers up to her chin. Chico and Lizzie had started improvements on the house Lizzie had inherited from her grandmother, but nothing had been spent on Rottingdean for years, and replacing the entire central heating system in the big old house was still a work in progress. The ancient radiators clanked noisily but gave off little heat—though Danny suspected she was shivering because she was tired as well as cold, having only dozed on and off through the night.
The reason for that was Tiago Santos.
So much for banishing the man from her thoughts! Tiago’s touch on her body was as vivid now as it had been when he’d held her on the dance floor. She’d been warm in his arms.
She was a hopeless case, Danny concluded, swinging out of bed. Her only excuse was that Tiago Santos was the type of distraction that could make an arrow swerve from its course.
She showered, and grabbed a towel to rub herself down until her skin glowed red. Clearing a space on the steamed-up mirror, she examined her face. The bruise under her eye had turned an ugly yellow-green. Attractive! But at least the swelling had gone down, thanks to Tiago’s horse liniment.
She laughed, remembering the look on his face when she had mentioned the stink. She knew that ointment well. They all used it. It had been a kind thought, but the sort of thing any man would do, she concluded wryly, throwing on as many layers of clothing as she had brought with her. She would have to put on everything she possessed to keep the bitter cold at bay.
It would be warm in Brazil.
‘Oh, for goodness’ sake!’ she exclaimed out loud.
Glancing out of the window, she jumped back fast, seeing Tiago in the yard. So he hadn’t gone back to Brazil yet...
