She froze as her gaze locked onto a set of brilliant green eyes. They were so clear and mesmerizing she was certain no emerald could have compared. Her heart flip-flopped as she gazed at the man before her. The room seemed to disappear again as her entire body reacted to his presence.
It was him.
"Sorry," she managed to say around the sudden lump in her throat.
He smiled; his face and eyes lit up with it. "It was my fault. I was trying to stop you."
"Stop me?"
"Would you like to dance?"
Sera blinked in surprise. She didn't want to dance, she wanted to flee as quickly as possible, but her feet wouldn't move. Instead, without meaning to, she found herself nodding her agreement. He held his hand out to her as a small smile curved his full mouth.
Her gaze traveled to his elegant fingers as his hand clasped hers. An unexpected bolt of electricity ripped through her. She started as her eyes shot back to his. He stared at her with a mixture of curiosity and amazement. She felt as if he stared straight into her soul. She felt completely vulnerable, bared to him, but no matter how much she disliked the feeling of vulnerability overtaking her, she couldn't tear her gaze from his.
Then he turned from her. Sera blinked dazedly as their contact broke. A shiver swept up her spine, but she managed to keep herself from revealing it to him. He led her to the center of the floor and turned to wrap his arms around her waist. Sera found herself staring at a broad chest as she rested her hands against it. She could feel the bunching of thick muscles, and radiating heat in her fingers.
Another shudder, this one of desire, rippled through her. Desire was not something she experienced; it was something she feared. She bit her lip to keep another shiver repressed as she tilted her head to look up at him.
She took in every inch of his perfectly sculptured face. His eyes were the brilliant color of new spring leaves. They seemed to glow with an inner light, and they radiated a magnetism that was utterly entrancing. His eyelashes were long, thick, and black as they shadowed the planes of his chiseled cheekbones. His nose was straight and narrow. His lips were blood red, and the lower lip slightly fuller than the upper.
Suddenly she longed, in a way she never had with anyone else, to kiss him. She had to know what his lips tasted and felt like.
Her hands trailed along his chest. She could feel every detail of his ridged muscles beneath his black shirt. His broad shoulders seemed to block out the rest of the room as he spun her around the floor. He was at least six feet tall, a good six inches taller than her. Cut short, his raven black hair waved around his gorgeous face.
He smiled as she hesitantly met his penetrating gaze again. She couldn't imagine why he was choosing to dance with her when he could have any girl here.
"What's your name?" he asked. He didn't seem to raise his voice, but she heard him clearly.
"Sera."
"Sera, that's unusual."
"You don't know my full name," she said with a playful grin, unable to believe she was flirting with him. She never flirted; she never even danced with guys. She went out of her way to avoid men altogether. It was easier that way, less upsetting. But now, she found herself unable to stop doing either.
He grinned at her and shifted his hold as he pulled her closer. "What would that be?" he asked; his voice was deep and husky. It sent chills of pleasure down her spine.
"Serendipity Hill."
He broke into a grin as he chuckled. "Well now, isn't that perfect. Sera, I think my meeting you was serendipitous."
She laughed and shrugged. "Who knows, maybe. What's your name?"
"Liam Byrne."
"Nice to meet you," she said as the music ended.
She felt a sense of loss as his arms fell away from her. "Would you like to go somewhere else?" he inquired.
Sera’s gaze flitted around the crowded room. "Where?"
Liam was thrown off by her sudden hesitation and distress. His mind went from lust-filled thoughts of the bedroom, to making her feel safe and secure. "For a walk. It's hot and loud in here. Too loud to talk, and I would like to get to know you better."
She stared at him in disbelief, and then, to her astonishment, she found herself nodding in agreement as the music blared again. He took hold of her hand and led her off the crowded dance floor. She numbly followed behind, unable to believe she had agreed to leave with him. What was the matter with her? She knew better than to do this, knew better than to allow this to happen, but she couldn't stop herself.
She caught the envious glances tossed her way as they moved through the thick crowd. Suddenly, Michelle stepped in front of her.
"Where are you going?" she demanded, her eyes chillingly cold.
Sera pulled on Liam's hand, stopping him in the midst of the crowd. He turned back to her, a frown marring his forehead. His eyes traveled to Michelle, and his frown deepened. "I don't know yet," Sera answered.
"This is very unlike you Sera," she said coldly. "I've never known you to leave a party with someone. Has Kathleen finally succeeded in making you a slut?"
Sera's face flamed red with embarrassment. Michelle was supposed to be one of her best friends, why was she attacking her like this?
"That is uncalled for," Liam growled, taking a step closer to her.
Michelle's eyes blazed with vehemence as they landed upon him. Sera found herself trapped between them, her face on fire. She had no idea how to get away from either one of them, but she desperately wanted to bolt from this awkward situation.
"Well, Michelle, it is like you to be a bitch." Kathleen appeared at Sera's side; her jaw clenched as she leveled Michelle
