Before Charlee could wrap her head around what just happened, she was on the dance floor, pressed up against Hector's hard body, taking in the glorious scent of his cologne. His big arms wrapped around her waist felt nothing like when Roger had held her earlier. Just as she'd imagined, her body trembled in reaction to him inhaling deeply against her ear.

"I didn't mean to startle you or disrespect your friend," he whispered against the side of her face. "But you looked uncomfortable. I didn't like seeing you like that."

Like magic, his words warmed her insides instantly. He'd been watching her with Roger, and he hadn't liked it. Drew had been right. It was practically an admission of interest. Why else would he be watching her? Why else would he have whisked her away the way he had.

"Thank you. He did make me a little uncomfortable," she admitted. "I didn't realize it was so obvious."

Hector pulled back to look her in the eyes. His brows pulled together with that same hardened expression he wore when he'd taken her hand and shoved her drink at Roger. "He was the obvious one," he said, sounding a little more than annoyed. "Your reaction to him was to be expected. You just met him, right?"

Charlee nodded, swallowing hard and trying to stay poised. Standing this close to him was a reminder of yesterday, and just like yesterday, she was suddenly at a loss for words. What he did to her was unreal. It rattled her yesterday, but it really scared her tonight, because after being held by another guy so recently, she knew now nothing compared to this. Just feeling Hector's warm hard body against hers did things to her she couldn't even begin to understand—explain. It felt as nerve-racking as it did amazing. Even though she could barely comprehend it, the feeling was everything she imagined it would be. Taking a deep breath, she hoped he didn't notice the trembling manner in which she slowly let it out. Her entire body felt as if it could go into spasms at any moment.

"I can say something to him if you want me to."

Charlee smiled, trying to hide the excitement his offer made her. "I think you already made a statement back there. I doubt he'll even be there when I get back."

His rigid stare softened a bit, and he smiled playfully. "Did you want him to be?"

Fighting the urge to run her finger over the scar on his brow, the only imperfection she'd noticed the first time she'd been close enough to see it on his otherwise flawless face, she shook her head.

The playful smile vanished, and he was suddenly serious again. "I don't think I've ever seen eyes as blue as yours. They're . . ." He looked so deeply into her eyes she had to remind herself to breathe. "They're beautiful."

"Thank you," she heard herself say but really had no idea how she managed.

It wasn't what he said but how he said it that made Charlee nearly quiver. Again it was something she couldn't begin to explain. What she was seeing in his eyes was the very thing she was feeling. Impossible.

Neither of them noticed the song had ended until the D.J. started talking about giving away prizes: 5th Street t-shirts, tickets to upcoming bouts, and more. Hector cleared his throat, and to Charlee's relief, he seemed as embarrassed as she felt about not having noticed they were the only two still dancing even after the music had stopped.

He stepped away from her, leaving her body yearning to be pressed against his again. He even dropped her hand, which he'd held from the moment he took it in his and led her onto the dance floor.

Everyone's attention was suddenly averted to the entryway of the banquet room. A group of people were arriving, and the D.J. announced that Felix Sanchez had entered the building. The people around them began talking and whispering all at once.

"You wanna meet him?" Hector asked. "I know Walter does."

Drew was suddenly at her side, smiling. Charlee didn't even get a chance to answer Hector's question. He informed her and Drew that he would bring Felix over to introduce him to them and the rest of the people from the chess club.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Drew began the inquisition. "What was that all about?"

Since Charlee didn't know what to make of it either and the pulse in her ears was still humming too loudly to try to make sense of it yet, she shrugged as they made their way back toward Walter and the rest of their group. "I'm not sure. He just said I looked uncomfortable with Roger and he didn't like it."

"Really?" Drew smiled. "Roger was kind of pissed."

"Was he?"

"Yeah," Drew nodded then laughed. "He said someone should've told him you were Hector's property." She rolled her eyes. "I told the idiot you were no one's property. Although it was kind of hard to say it with a whole lot of conviction, considering the way Hector held you on the dance floor," she lifted an eyebrow with a smirk, "even after the music was over. What else did he say to you?"

Charlee felt her face flush, lowering her voice as they reached Walter and the others, almost afraid to say it out loud. "He said I have beautiful eyes."

Seeing the instant excitement in Drew's face was enough. Charlee wouldn't even attempt to explain what that moment felt like.

"I knew I'd prove my point tonight. There's no denying he's feeling something for you. And by the way," Drew reached over and squeezed Charlee's arm softly, "I didn't get a chance to tell you, but you did really well when you were talking to him earlier. I know you were nervous about facing him so soon after yesterday, and when he brought that up, I thought for sure you were going to choke, but you handled it beautifully."

Charlee couldn't help rolling her eyes now. "That was the wine, I'm sure. I choked when we were dancing. I could barely breathe straight, let alone talk."

Drew waved her hand at Charlee. "I wouldn't worry about it. He seemed so lost in your little dance I'm sure he didn't even notice." She smiled wickedly. "I mean, geez, neither of you noticed the music had stopped." Drew laughed again. "That's when Roger said he was out of here."

"What about Maurice?" Charlee asked, still feeling a little warm in the face that Drew wasn't the only one who noticed the room and everyone in it had disappeared for Charlee when she'd been in Hector's arms. And unbelievably her heart had sped up even more ever since hearing Drew say there was no denying Hector was feeling something for her.

"Oh, he'll be back. He had to go help the D.J. out with the giveaways." Drew smiled sheepishly. "I told him we'd be leaving early, and he said he wanted to walk me out to my car. I think he wants to kiss me goodnight. He almost did on the dance floor."

Charlee smiled now too. "Are you gonna let him?"

Drew lifted and dropped her shoulders quickly. "I might. He is kind of cute. And I heard Roger and saw the way he kept getting so close to your face. No wonder Hector came to your rescue. Maurice isn't nearly as pushy." Something caught Drew's attention. "Oh, wow, here comes the megastar in the flesh."

Charlee turned to see Hector and Felix walking toward them. The crowd literally spread for them as they walked through it. There were a lot more people there now than there were earlier, and they all stared at both Felix and Hector as they walked by them.

Taking a deep breath like she had when she'd danced with Hector, Charlee tried to gather herself. Hector was already smiling big before he even reached them. She'd dream of that smile and that moment time had stood still for Charlee tonight no doubt—all night.

"So you guys might have heard of this little-known boxer named Felix Sanchez." Hector patted Felix on the shoulder.

Hector began introducing them one by one, and they all smiled and shook Felix's hand. Even though Charlee should have been feeling as starstruck as everyone else appeared to be, her insides were still going wild as the reality of what had happened earlier with Hector set in.

Felix was very nice and surprisingly down to earth, considering how famous and not to mention good-looking he was. He was actually better looking in person than in all the tabloids she'd seen him in.

As much as Charlee tried to focus on what Felix was saying to them and attempted to mimic Drew's excited smile, she couldn't help it. Her mind kept going back to Hector and what an about-face his behavior toward her had done.

Another huge distraction was that he was doing it again. Every time she glanced his way, she caught him looking at her. He didn't even try to hide it now. He'd smile every time. A few times she thought he might laugh because she'd caught him yet again. And he wasn't just looking at her face either. Several times, like earlier when she caught him taking her in completely, she noticed he was engrossed in her hair or her hands.

She knew her hair was eye-catching. It always had been, and she'd always hated that, but the way he looked at it was different, almost as if he were in awe. All her life, she'd had people comment on her hair—compliment it even. But no one had ever gazed at her quite the way he did. It made her insides warm but in a good way.

Felix finished answering a few more questions from the guys then excused himself. To Charlee's surprise, Hector didn't go with him. Felix walked away with his entourage to the next group of people waiting to talk to him.

"Is it weird having a friend that's so famous?" Drew asked Hector.

Even though it wasn't directed at her, his playful smile made Charlee breathe deeper. "People's reaction to seeing him will probably never get old. That's different but hanging out with him, not at all. He's the same guy he's always been."

"Oh man, I missed him," Maurice frowned as he came and stood next to Drew. "I was trying to hurry and get over here to meet him before he walked away."

Since Hector had been so eager about bringing Felix over as soon as he arrived, Charlee expected him to maybe offer to introduce Maurice to Felix, but he didn't. Instead he seemed a bit off put by Maurice joining them again. He didn't even acknowledge him, ignoring his comment and turning to Walter. "So you gonna stand here all night or you gonna actually do some dancing?"

More to come!