Dream Lover by Té Russ Read Free Book Online Page B

trying to kill men in that dress tonight,” he said close to her ear.
    She couldn't help but blush. “Lila picked it out.”
    “Well, it certainly is a number. I'm surprised your date let you away from his side.”
    Liz shook her head. “It's not like that. We're just friends.”
    “Friends do not look at each other the way you two have been looking at each other all night.”
    Liz looked down. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
    “You two clearly have deeper feelings for each other beyond friendship. Any man would be a fool to get in the way of you two.”
    She was surprised that someone else was able to detect the growing attraction between the two of them, when she couldn't even acknowledge it yet.
    She sighed. “I really don't know what else to say Andre.”
    He smiled at her. “I'm not one to fight in a battle I have no chance of winning. I know how to bow out gracefully.”
    They spun around and stopped near Lila and John. Andre stepped back and held up Liz's hand giving it a quick kiss. Then he turned and tapped John on the shoulder. “I'm sorry man, but Ms. Lila here also promised me a dance.” He gave Liz's hand to John. “Plus I'm sure you've been waiting to dance with this lovely lady.”
    John took Liz's hand and placed his other hand on her bare back. The current that flew between them was so intense they barely noticed Andre and Lila dance away. John slowly pulled her closely and they began to dance slowly. They were not even sure of the tempo of the song.
    Liz could see the raw passion in John's eyes, causing her pulse to quicken even more than it already was.
    “Liz,” he whispered.
    She closed her eyes and shook her head. The way he'd said her name was too much for her to handle at the moment. He could tell, so he brought up a safe topic. “How do you think the auction is going?”
    She sighed and he felt the warmth of her breath on his chest. The woman was slowly killing him and she had no idea.
    “I hope it is going well,” she said. “The potential of having a whole art show with just my work, well you know that is something I've wanted for a long time now.”
    He pulled her closer. “It will happen. I've told you that before.”
    The closeness, the heat radiating from his body was driving her mad. She stepped back. “I...uh...I need to step outside for some air.”
    Before she got a chance to leave, Lila was back on the stairs. “We have finished the silent auction. I must say we earned the most money this year. But the item that earned the most for the children's hospital was Elizabeth Wheeler's painting. The final and winning bid was for a whopping five thousand dollars!”

Chapter 7
     
    Liz was in shock. She probably would have fainted if John didn't have his arm around her waist. People were congratulating her with hugs and handshakes. Anjelah Martin had even come by and given Liz her card saying to call her soon. She never did get to meet the buyer. They'd paid for the picture and left quickly. She figured they wanted to beat the storm home. The party was starting to thin out as people were heading home. She was in such a state of shock she had forgot about the impending storm until another loud crack of thunder jolted her back into reality.
    John finally spoke. “We'd better get you home, before the storm gets too bad.”
    “Absolutely not!” They turned to see Lila walking towards them. “I've got more than enough space for you two to spend the night here tonight.”
    Liz jumped up. The thought of spending the night under the same roof as John was scaring her more than the thunderstorm right now. “I think John is right Lila. We don't want to intrude.”
    “Oh I insist honey!”
    Liz looked down at her dress then over to John in his tux, who had been silent ever since Lila made the offer for them to spend the night. “We don't have anything to wear. And I'm not sleeping in this.”
    Lila waved off the protest. “I have some clothes you can wear.” She turned