28

There’s no real logic to my punishment, but that doesn’t seem to faze her. She simply puts her hand in mine, winks, and says, “Whatever you say, Mr. Tyler.”

I think this beautiful creature was made for me.

“You should know,” I say, “that your dress is beautiful, and you look ravishing in it. You do fit in with the people here.”

Her shrug is one that tells me she doesn’t agree, but doesn’t want to argue with me.

I can work on that, over time.

Once I lead her from the service hallway and into the ballroom, she falters.

“I don’t even know how to dance a proper dance,” she says.

“We can just sway,” I say, keeping my hand on her lower back, staking my claim. “No special steps necessary. And if you want, I can teach you other dances, too.”

“Maybe not tonight,” she whispers.

“Another night, then,” I say.

Those beautiful brown eyes of hers meet mine and she smiles softly, like she doesn’t believe me.

She has no fucking idea. Now that I’ve got her in my arms, the only thing getting her out of