Sweet Surrender (ON HOLD)

PROLOGUE

Cassandra glanced over her friend's shoulder and saw the last man she wanted to see tonight approaching. Holding back a curse, she glared at Gabriel Dorsey. He smirked in return.

"What's with the expression?" Jane inquired, arching an eyebrow.

"Gabriel is coming this way," Cassandra hissed, her hand tightening around her glass of champagne.

Her brown eyes shining with amusement, Jane said, "Should we make a run for it?"

Cassandra snorted. "Like I could run in this dress and these damn heels." She glanced at Gabriel again.

There was no denying it. He was a fine specimen of a man. Six foot two with broad shoulders, he had dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. The tux he wore had been tailored to fit him like a glove. More than one woman was mentally undressing him.

Cassandra averted her green eyes and braced herself.

"Hello, ladies," Gabriel said, pausing next to Jane. "You two look lovely tonight."

"Thank you," Jane said, smiling at him.

Cassandra took a sip of champagne to wet her dry throat and then said, "What do you want, Gabriel?"

He held out a hand. "I want you to dance with me."

"I'll pass," Cassandra said.

Gabriel bridged the distance between them and leaned in close, whispering in her ear, "Dance with me, or I'll cause a scene and embarrass you. Do you want everyone looking at you and laughing?"

Anger sweeping through her, Cassandra turned to Jane. "Would you hold my glass, please?"

"Of course," Jane said. "Have fun."

"Not likely," Cassandra said dryly.

"Oh, I intend to." Gabriel placed his hand on the small of Cassandra's back and steered her toward the dance floor. "Smile, sweetheart. All I want is to dance."

"You want a lot more than that," Cassandra said coolly.

Gabriel grinned. "I won't deny that, but for now just dance with me."

They found a spot among the couples on the dance floor. Cassandra tried to ignore her partner by watching the other guests, but ignoring Gabriel wasn't easy, especially when she could feel his body against hers and smell his cologne.

"What are you thinking?" Gabriel inquired, brushing his nose against her sweet-smelling blonde hair.

"Nothing important," Cassandra replied.

"In other words, it's done of my business," Gabriel said.

"Exactly," Cassandra said.

Gabriel chuckled. "Why do you hate me?"

"Hate is such a strong word," Cassandra said. "I prefer dislike, strongly."

"All right," Gabriel said. "Why do you strongly dislike me?"

Cassandra leaned back in his embrace and looked at him. "You're a womanizer. You use women and then you toss them aside when you grow bored."

"I do not use women," Gabriel stated. "I'm up front with them before anything happens. I make sure they know I'm not looking for anything permanent, just their company. It's not my fault if they want more."

"Why can't you give them more?" Cassandra wanted to know.

Gabriel lightly ran a finger along Cassandra's collarbone, smiling when she shivered. "Because they're not you, sweetheart. You are the one I want."

"No." Cassandra pushed against his chest. He refused to let her go. "I won't be another notch on your bedpost."

"I want more than a casual hookup with you," Gabriel informed her.

Cassandra shook her head. "I don't believe you, and it doesn't matter what you want. You will never have me."

Gabriel released Cassandra and said, "Never say never to me, sweetheart." He gently tapped her on the nose. "I always get what I want, eventually." He turned and walked away, his words leaving a sick feeling in the pit of Cassandra's stomach.

A/N: Welcome to my new story. I hope you all enjoy reading it. Thank you as always for your support. I appreciate it. :)