Free The Determining by Rebecca Grous

keeping her from falling. He continued like he hadn’t noticed the blunder, “Which begs the question …” He trailed off, leaving his implication hanging in the air between them. If his penetrating gaze met hers again, she worried he would see right through her lies.
    She looked away, still distracted by the idea that this man thought her attractive. With her mind elsewhere, her mouth spoke without her consent. “Maybe not, but in other ways I need more help than you might think.”
    When Thayer inhaled sharply, she realized he’d heard her. She mentally berated herself. She wanted to pull out of his arms and end their dance, but she couldn’t, not without drawing attention. His grip tightened as if sensing her desire to flee, keeping her pressed to him as they moved around the room.
    He leaned down, stopping when his lips were inches from her ear. “What ways?” His breath tickled her neck.
    Her pulse quickened. “I couldn’t tell you.”
    “No?” His voice had a smooth, disarming quality. “You won’t find help unless you ask for it.”
    With her stupid comment, she’d relinquished control of their conversation. She didn’t like being at his mercy. “What makes you think I would ask you? We don’t even know each other.”
    Thayer pulled back and looked her straight in the eye. “Why do you think I bid on the dance?”
    “I assumed you wanted to make a play for my affections. With the outcome of my Determining, I’ve become a hot commodity.” Now that she wasn’t lying, she returned his direct look. “No one has approached me tonight simply for the pleasure of my company. I find it hard to believe that you’d be the first, especially for one million credits.”
    “I never mix business with pleasure, Miss Grey.” A playful spark flashed in his eyes.
    “So which am I?”
    The spark his eyes turned intensified as he studied her. “I haven’t decided yet. But in this moment, you are pure pleasure.”
    The last strains of the song played. With a flourish, Thayer spun her away then back in to him. She came to a stop with her body pressed against his. Both of his hands traveled down to her waist, holding her tight while his eyes drew her in, keeping her there in the middle of the dance floor. Around them the guests applauded, but the blood pumping in her ears made the applause sound far away.
    It took Charlie a moment to snap out of her trance. When she came to her senses, the band had begun to play again. Other couples joined them on the floor, surrounding them with the swish of fabric and hum of conversation.
    “Thank you for the dance, Mr. McLean.” She went to move back, but Thayer wouldn’t release her.
    “No, thank you.” His gaze bored into hers.
    Her skin felt like it was on fire. It took her a moment to snap out of the trance he’d put her in. Back in the present, she remembered Drew. She realized what they must look like, standing so close, and guilt washed over her. “If you’ll excuse me, I promised the next dance to a friend.”
    He nodded and released her waist but captured one of her hands. “Be careful, Miss Grey. As you said, you’re a hot commodity.” His eyes traveled around the room before capturing her again. “You never know who might be waiting to take advantage. Don’t trust anyone.”
    A chill raced across her skin. “What?”
    He didn’t answer her. With one more look, Thayer brushed a kiss across her knuckles and slipped away into the crowd.
    “Wait!” She darted between dancing couples, straining to keep Thayer in her sights. “Mr. McLean!” She’d just made it to the edge of the dance floor when Margaret’s warning tone stopped her.
    “Charlotte.”
    Charlie spared her mother a glance. “Not now.” She stepped forward, intent on following Thayer.
    Margaret grasped her arm, pulling Charlie away from the dance floor. “Don’t you dare make a scene. Not in the middle of the waltz.” The winning smile on her face didn’t match the malice in her