Free Dreams of Us by Brooke St. James

was on your mouth, Bailey. I could see it plain as day."
    "Well, I wasn't enjoying it."
    "Then you shouldn't have done it."
    I threw my hands in the air and sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't have, but I did. It happened and now here we are." I glanced around. "In the middle of a dance floor, probably causing a scene."
    "No one's paying attention to us," he said, taking a slight step closer. His amber eyes looked right through me. He literally took my breath away. I took a deep, shaky breath. I wanted to say I love you, or yes, I'll marry you, or something crazy like that.
    "I think I'd like it if you don't see that anesthesiologist anymore," I said instead. I watched as the corner of his curved mouth slowly turned upward in a mischievous grin. There was music, and movement, and people all around us, and we just stood there staring at each other.
    "I think your boss should keep his hands off you from now on," he said. Again, our eyes locked, and we smiled slightly at each other as people moved around us.
    "Maybe we could go on a date sometime," I said.
    "You think?" he asked sarcastically.
    "We don't have to," I said, pretending to take him seriously.
    "Bailey?"
    "Yes?"
    "I need a favor."
    "What is it?"
    "I need you to let me finish things with Vanessa in a way that isn't…" he hesitated. "Like this."
    "You don't need to explain yourself to me," I said, feeling yucky and defensive at the mention of her name.
    "Please don't pull away," he said. "What sort of gentleman would I be if I brought her here only to leave her without a way to get home or an explanation?"
    "You don't need to explain yourself to me, Dr. Crawford. Just do what you need to do and, if anything's meant to happen with us, it'll happe—"
    I stopped speaking when he stepped forward and took me by the arm. We were standing so close that I could feel his body heat. He put his mouth right next to my ear. "My name is Jordan, Bailey. Can I hear you say it?"
    "You want me to say your name?" I asked breathlessly.
    "Yes." He lowered his head so I could speak in his ear.
    "Jordan," I said.
    His chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath. "Say the word and I'll leave here with you."
    I was silent for several long seconds feeling extremely tempted to say those words, but then I imagined myself in Vanessa's position.
    "Go be a gentleman," I said, finally.

 
    Chapter 8
     
     
    "How am I supposed to get in touch with you?" Jordan asked as I started to walk off the dance floor.
    I knew it would be awkward for us to stand there and exchange phone numbers, so I said, "I work at 3K Advertising."
    He nodded as if that was explanation enough, and we parted ways. I didn't watch to see where he went—didn't want to see the blonde or whatever conversation they might be having.
    I spotted Ben who was standing near the dance floor talking with an older woman. I approached with caution. "Hi," I said smiling shyly once he caught sight of me.
    He smiled and turned to the woman. "Harriet, this is Bailey Black, one of my best designers. Bailey, this is Harriet Vinson. Her husband owns Vinson Construction… I guess they both do."
    I smiled and shook her hand. "I worked on your latest campaign."
    "Did you?" she asked. "You must be pretty talented because my husband said this last one was his favorite so far."
    "I'm glad to hear it," Ben said.
    "Mike was the brains behind it, really," I said. "I just helped him out."
    "And she's humble to boot," Harriet said, winking at Ben.
    He wrapped his arm around me. "Believe me," I'm hanging on to this one."
    "You better." She curtsied slightly the way rich women do. "I should get back to Peter. It was a pleasure meeting you, Bailey."
    "Likewise," I said, bowing slightly even though I wasn't quite sure if I was doing it right.
    She disappeared into the crowd, and Ben looked at me with a smile. "I thought I lost my date for the evening." He paused and looked over my shoulder. "Did you wise up and refuse that bum?"
    I giggled. "Not exactly."
    "So what are