LITMIR.BIZ

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      His soft laughter was as rich and delicious as the chocolate. “I don’t believe it takes a crystal ball to see that, lovely Esmeralda. And my name is Jason, by the way.”

      So she knew his real name now—at least part of it. And it didn’t affect the magic at all, she realized. “I’m Madison.”

      He grinned as though acknowledging how amusing it was that they’d waited this long to get around to swapping first names. “Delighted to meet you, Madison.”

      Her gold bracelets jingled when she set her almost-empty plate aside and lifted her drink to her lips again, watching him over the rim of her glass. She supposed she should get back to the party—she hadn’t participated at all, actually, and BiBi would surely wonder where she was—but how often did a girl get to sit in the moonlight with a fantasy hero?

      “Speaking of crystal balls—” he set his own plate and glass aside “—you were going to read my palm after we ate?”

      Looking up at him through her lashes, she drew a fingertip slowly down the center of his outstretched hand. “I see danger and adventure in your future, Dr. Jones.”

      His lips twitched as though she’d said something wryly amusing. “Do you, now?”

      “Absolutely.”

      “And do I survive all that danger and adventure?”

      “No question,” she assured him. “I can tell you are a man who is successful at any challenge he takes on.”

      Actually, she thought she might be right about that, though she based the presumption more on intuition than mysticism.

      Looking pleased by her words, he asked in the same light tone, “Do you foresee a dance with a captivating gypsy in my near future?”

      She liked the idea of being held in those strong arms, nestled against that broad chest. “I’d be—”

      But her acceptance was cut short abruptly when the French doors opened and a couple of partiers spilled out into the courtyard, laughing so loudly and freely that there was no doubt their humor was fueled at least in part by alcohol.

      “Ooh, are you telling fortunes out here?” a giggly vampiress in too-little black fabric and too much red lipstick demanded of Madison. “Tell mine!”

      “No, I—”

      “Here, read my palm.”

      The woman stuck out her hand toward Madison, then stumbled a little on her stiletto heels. The chubby caped hero with her caught her before she fell, but not before she knocked Madison’s glass out of her hand. Madison gasped as the cold liquid trickled down her blouse and between her breasts.

      “Oops.” The other woman covered her mouth with one black-nailed hand, trying not to laugh but failing. “Sorry.”

      Madison was already on her feet, as was her now-frowning companion. She was sure he was trying only to help when he reached out with his napkin to dab at her wet chest.

      She caught his wrist, keeping him from swabbing any lower. “I’ll just slip into the ladies’ room and tidy up.”

      “Oh, uh—” As if he’d suddenly realized what he was doing, he grimaced sheepishly and drew back his hand. “Good idea. I’ll clear away our dishes.”

      “Thank you.”

      “I’ll find you later?” he asked as she moved toward the doors.

      She sent him a look over her shoulder. “You can try.”

      He grinned. “I’m always up for a challenge.”

      Oh, wow, that grin was as dangerous as the whip hanging from his belt. She continued reluctantly toward the ballroom, resisting an impulse to fan her cheeks with one hand. Behind her, she heard the unabashed vampiress say loudly, “Come dance with me, Indiana. Old stodgy here doesn’t like to dance.”

      “Hey!”

      Leaving them to sort it out, Madison made her way through the mingling crowd toward the ladies’ room.

      She was just finishing her cleanup when the restroom door opened and BiBi entered. Her genie hat was askew, and she paused in front of the mirror to straighten it.

      “Some dippy woman on the dance floor just about knocked me off my feet,” she complained. “Waving her arms around like she was sending semaphore flag messages and calling that dancing. Didn’t even bother to apologize when she lurched off the dance area and into the group I was trying to talk to.”

      “Let me guess—she’s dressed like a vampire?”

      BiBi laughed wryly and looked at Madison’s drying blouse. “Yep. I don’t know her, she must have come as a guest of one of Carl’s associates. You’ve met her, I take it?”

      “So to speak.”

      “I don’t think it’s blood she’s been drinking tonight.”

      “Not unless it’s ninety-proof blood,” Madison agreed ruefully, dabbing one last time at her blouse before tossing the paper towel into the trash.

      “So where have you been? I haven’t seen you since we came down from my suite.”

      “Just having snacks and mingling,” Madison evaded.

      She wasn’t quite ready to share her evening’s harmless diversion with her friend. She didn’t want to risk having BiBi tell her that the debonair adventurer she’d flirted with in the moonlight was really a twice-divorced used car salesman with three kids he didn’t support and a reputation for running cons on gullible, overworked, romance-starved women.

      She was amused by her own overwrought imagination. From hero to pig, she thought with a shake of her head. She imagined reality was somewhere in between. But for now, she’d like to keep the hero fantasy alive. Just for a little while longer.

      “Have you been having fun?” she asked to take the attention away from her own activities.

      BiBi beamed. “Oh, yes. Carl looks so handsome in his astronaut uniform—have you seen him yet?”

      “Yes. He looks great. Did you choose his costume, too?”

      “Of course. Everyone’s been toasting us, and telling us how great we look and how much they look forward to all the wedding festivities. I have to admit, I’m digging this bride thing. You probably aren’t surprised to hear that I’m loving the attention.”

      Laughing, Madison shook her head. “Not at all surprised. But I’m delighted for you, Beebs. You deserve all the happiness you and Carl will have together.”

      “Aw, thanks, Maddie.”

      “So, what about Corinna? Has the alien princess captured her reluctant prince’s heart this evening?”

      BiBi’s dreamy smile dipped into a scowl. “We haven’t even seen him tonight. I guess he decided not to come, or he got tied up at work or something. I thought he said he was staying here at the hotel to avoid having to commute back and forth from his condo on the other side of Dallas, but maybe he changed his mind, or isn’t checking in until tomorrow. Corinna’s disappointed, even if she is getting plenty of attention from other guys, and even though she’s pretty sure nothing’s going to happen, anyway. Maybe instead of encouraging her, I should be advising her to give up and try to find someone else. I worry that she’s going to get her heart broken.”

      “I hate to say this, but it sounds to me as if he’s just not that into her. I mean, that’s what he told her, right?”

      BiBi sighed. “Yeah. But this weekend could be the perfect chance for him to change his mind if he and Corinna spend some quality time together, you know?”

      “I think it’s very sweet that you’re looking out for your sister,” Madison answered diplomatically. “I also think you’re seeing the

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