CHAPTER 30

**CHLOE DUARTE**

“Looks like beauty is part of genetics...", she says almost drooling as she continues to look at the man.

“Man, I feel really out of place here.", Matt reveals with a grimace as he notices the guests passing by and greets us with quick nods and smiles.

“It seems that all the most important people in American society are here."

“And this beautiful poor guy in the middle of all these people...", we laugh at Matt's speech.

“You don't say that! You look elegant in that fancy suit...", I say, looking at our friend's dark outfit.

Matt has a natural beauty, and a bad”boy charm, this evening he is wearing a business suit, and his dark hair, which is usually unruly, is combed back with some kind of gel.

“I can't wait to get this thing that's squeezing my throat out!", he says in an uncomfortable voice, pulling down the knot of his black tie.

We chat for several minutes until a loud song that starts up in the dance hall disrupts our interaction.

“I frown when I see Samanta's eyes widen as she settles back behind me again."

“What is it, Sam?"

“James Colucci is on his way here...", she whispers and opens a smile.

I sigh and prepare to face the face that has been chasing my most erotic dreams, when I feel his presence near our table, I turn around.

“Miss Duarte, would you like a dance?", I raise my eyebrows in dismay at the fact that he dances in public and just stare at his hand extended toward me.

Several seconds seem to pass before Samanta's gasp brings me back down to earth.

“I accept...", I say with a slight smile as I place my hand in his and let him lead me masterfully to the center of the dance hall, where all eyes are fixed on the two of us.

**JAMES COLUCCI**

Through the lacy fabric of the mask covering Chloe's face, I see her dark eyes and watch the stares we receive as I lead her into the dance hall.

“Hey, what's up?", I catch her eye seeing that she looks uncomfortable.

“Everyone's watching,", she murmurs, taking a deep breath as she lets me take one of her hands while I place the other on her slender, outlined waist.

“Just forget about everything around you, okay?", she nods trusting me.

She does as I ask, waiting for the next beat of the song to begin to lead us lightly in time for the music to be heard.

Noticing that her discomfort is slowly fading, I intensify the movements of the classic and traditional choreography, her eyes dark as the night focus completely on me.

I also allow myself to do the same as we continue dancing around the entire room, even though I don't take my eyes off the brunette in front of me, I can feel that many guests are watching us at this very moment.

The first song ends, but we continue dancing with our bodies, I must admit that this torture of having our skins touching is driving me crazy.

Because every time I look at her full and captivating lips, I remember our moments together, I miss her and feel a pure and burning desire to drag her somewhere and satiate all the fire that insists on burning us with her intense flames.

I feel all my hairs bristle as the touching melody of Crazy in Love begins, Chloe seems to feel the same as she increases her grip on my shoulder as I lead us faster and more masterfully.

I pull her delicate body against mine, my world seems to stop as the chorus comes in and Chloe closes her eyes for a second as I whirl her around the dance hall.

The last part of the song comes closer and closer to the end, as if forgetting everything around us, I bring our faces closer and feel her warm breath against my skin.

Her eyes seek my mouth and linger on them, I bend her body back and just as our lips are about to touch, we are interrupted by the loud sound of applause.

Only when I let go do I seem to fully regain the reason I lost while we were dancing, I almost made a mistake I promised not to make.

A simple kiss in public would completely change everything, after our entrance together, many are already speculating about some relationship that exists between us, and I cannot allow any evidence to confirm rumors like these that will circulate after tonight.

“It seems my turn has finally come, would you do me the honor, Mr. Colucci?", I stop and stare at Chloe who looks just as upset as I see that Camily is holding out one of her hands in my direction.

Before I can readily accept or deny it, I look again at Chloe who looks at Camily with a frown, after we greeted her I realized that there is something between them.

And I know that all of this comes from Camily Sparke, the woman who has worked many years in the company and I know she is a competent employee, but I don't need to know her much to know that she hates Chloe and does everything to put her down.

I also realize that the little seductress holds back as much as she can from retorting to the woman's taunts to the extent she deserves.

I don't like the way she acts, but I can't show it either, she is my employee, but that doesn't mean that I will let her treat Chloe or any other employee the way she wants.

“Of course, Miss Sparke!", I say automatically, accepting her hand, but I almost give up when I see Chloe's face change.

I am about to say something, but Camily tries to pull me into the dance hall quickly, I control an annoyed sigh and start dancing trying to keep my body as far away from hers as possible.

But this is starting to be a difficult task as she keeps trying to get us closer.

“I don't want to be an inconvenience, but you really like Miss Duarte, don't you?", she asks when she notices that my eyes are glued on Chloe, who is sitting back down at the table with her friends.

“Miss Duarte is a great employee and very qualified for the job."