Chapter 26

Or at least that was what the assistant to Stanley Spencer told him. It had taken a week to convince
Stanley Spencer's secretary to give him any information on the cover model featured on A Time for Us
magazine. He was certain the model was her. The secretary didn't know Anna by that name but said it
was common for models to use pseudonyms, like authors. She was forbidden to give out information
but did mention that she was sending the model he was inquiring about tickets to the Wayland Event.
All it took from there was to find his own tickets.

"Mmm hmm," Fallon mumbled. "Well, I have to make the rounds. Would you like to come with?"

Grimacing, Dez shook his head. He was here for one thing only. To find her. Surprisingly, that took no
effort at all. He spied Anna a few feet in front of him, on the dance floor.

She was breathtaking.

Anna wore a black floor-length sleeveless halter ball gown. Diamond-like stones covered the top half
and the strap traveled around the back of her neck. Her breasts weren't big, yet they were the perfect
size and ideal for her model figure. When her partner spun her around, Dez saw that her smooth
flawless back was bare. Her make-up was minimal, only highlighting her natural beauty. The box braids
were gone. Anna's hair was up in some intricate twist, exposing her delicate neck.

Dez didn't realize he'd moved until he was almost beside her. Good thing too because Stanley Spencer
was moving in on his woman.

"Stanley." Dez smiled until he noticed that Anna jumped with a start. Why was she so nervous?

Stanley sighed with thinly-veiled irritation as he met Dezmond's cool gaze.

That made Dez feel warm inside as he let out an internal giggle. "Priscilla just asked me if I'd run into
you." He looked around, scanning for the bull dog in heels. "I saw her by the terrace there," he said,



grinning as he motioned. "Shall I call her over?"

To his credit, Stanley maintained on his face the relaxed look Dez was certain took him years of
practice. Stanley backed away from Anna but made sure his arm around her waist lingered. She didn't
look around to see that it was Dezmond yet.

"Is she?" Stanley asked, his tone the only indication that he was rattled. He looked to Anna. "If you'll
forgive me, Spring, something's come up. I hope to dance again before the night ends."

(Spring?)

Stanley leaned in and gave Anna a longer than necessary kiss on the cheek. Plus, he wasn't asking,
he basically told her that he was going to dance with her again. That wasn't good. Not good at all.

As Stanley rushed off, in a James Bond-ish kind of way, the cool as ice way, Dez slid his hand down
the back of Anna's bare arm, over her elbow, and locked his fingers through hers as he pressed his
front to her back.

-----------

SPRING

One minute, Mr. Spencer...Stanley, was about to kiss her then the next he was rushing off, leaving her
in the center of the ballroom, alone. All because some woman named Priscilla was looking for him.
Was that his wife? She didn't remember seeing a wedding band on his finger.

Shaking her head, Spring took a step in the direction Stanley went but a feather-light touch not only
caused her to stop in her tracks, but it sent a shiver through her entire body. Then a warm body
pressed against hers and a hand encircled her waist, pulling her back.



"You left without saying goodbye, Anna."

The voice she didn't recognize dropped in pitch and all she could do was melt into the mystery man as
he whispered her name in her ear. He was so close that his lips actually grazed her ear lobe. One of
his large hands was positioned over her belly, his fingers spread out, applying pressure as if she
planned to make a run for it. His other hand locked fingers with hers.

(I should...make a run for it.)

The thought was fleeting and barely registered as his delicious scent hit her. In panic mode, Spring
swallowed in an attempt to push the lump in her throat down so that she could respond to the man she
now suspected was Dez.

"I know you enjoyed yourself. You...made that very clear."

Dez shifted then turned her around to face him. He held her close and started moving. Spring figured
that he was moving to the music, but her mind didn't want to cooperate. Though her body swayed with
him, she wouldn't win any dancing contests.

"Did I hurt you in some way?" He paused, looking her directly in the eyes.


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