Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Gina nods. “Yeah. In the fall. I’m taking an advanced abstract portrait class, and you’d be the perfect subject.”
“Uh…sure, I guess. I’ll be back in medical school by then, though.”
“We could do it over a weekend. I’ll come to you if you need me to. I don’t want to put you out at all.”
“I’m honored,” I say.
“You’d be doing me the honor.” Gina smiles.
I smile back.
Angie’s sister and cousins are great. And if I could give Stephen to Gina right now, I would.
Somehow, I’ll encourage it tomorrow at the reception.
A server tops off our wineglasses.
How much have I had?
Now that Stephen is gone, I don’t need the buzz to get through his Zen talk. But I definitely have a buzz.
I’m feeling no pain.
I glance around the rest of the yard. A few couples are dancing to the band’s music, including Maddie and Dave. I didn’t notice her leave the table.
Brianna joins them so that only Sage, Gina, and I are still sitting down.
Until Sage rises and grabs Gina and Gina grabs me.
The music’s loud, the kind that rattles through your ribs and makes your hips move before your brain catches up. Everything’s a little warm around the edges. The fairy lights strung across the patio glow like stars.
I’m barefoot. My heels are under a chair somewhere. My feet slide across the portable wooden dance floor as I twirl, laughing, my dress brushing against my thighs.
And then I see him.
Blond. Broad-shouldered. Leaning against one of the wooden posts like he owns the place—which, technically, he kind of does.
Henry.
He’s nursing what I assume is a bourbon.
He hasn’t danced once.
But he is watching me now.
I toss away a few bobby pins and pull my hair down—my updo is crap after our interlude anyway—and toss it over my shoulder. My heart is thudding harder than it should. Maybe it’s the wine. Maybe it’s the altitude. Maybe it’s just him. Those blue eyes track every sway of my hips, every lazy spin I make, and it sends this ridiculous thrill through me.
I should probably stop. Go get water. Be sensible.
But instead, I dance just a little slower.
More deliberate.
I bite my lip and let the music guide me, not caring if I look ridiculous. He hasn’t looked away once. And I…
Well, I’m trying not to imagine what his hands would feel like on my waist.
I know his type. Broody. Probably thinks he’s too damaged for anything real. And maybe he is.
But tonight, under the stars, with wine on my lips and heat in my cheeks, I’m not looking for forever.
Just for the way he’s looking at me now.
Maybe it’s the booze.
Maybe it’s the starlit evening and the light summer breeze.
Or maybe it’s just me.
I break away from the group, walk to Henry, and pull him toward the dance floor.
Twenty-Eight
Henry
Tabitha’s grip is warm on my forearm.
She’s pulling me over to where people are dancing to the music of Dragonlock.
Normally I enjoy dancing, and I enjoy rock music. But I haven’t danced since…
I should yank my arm away.
But I don’t.
I’ve treated Tabitha terribly, and she deserves better. Our two quickies were amazing. Already I’m getting hard again just being this close to her. Which isn’t a good thing in front of my entire family.
My boots clunk on the portable dance floor.
It’s a gorgeous evening out here. Stars shining above.
I used to love the stars.
Now, I—
“Come on,” Tabitha says, moving to the music.
She’s a beautiful dancer.
The air around her seems to pulse, matching the beat of the bass. Her body twirling, hips swaying, creating a rhythm that’s arousing to watch. Her eyes glitter under the lights. Those beautiful warm brown eyes…
“Dance with me, Henry,” she whispers.
I hesitate for a moment, looking at her outstretched arm. She’s giving me a chance, a chance I don’t deserve. I swallow hard, my heart pounding.
What is it about this woman that makes me so unsure? That makes me want to be better? I don’t know if it’s her smile or her spirit or her gorgeous eyes or just the way she moves, but she does something to me.
I take a deep breath and put my hand in hers. The moment our palms meet, a jolt of electricity runs up my arm. The crowd around us fades away, and all I can see is her.
We move to the beat, our bodies swaying to the rhythm of Dragonlock’s song. As we dance, everything else fades away. It’s just Tabitha and me under a blanket of stars.
Her laughter rings out as I twirl her around. For a moment, I allow myself to forget about everything else and just enjoy this instant with her.
She pulls me closer and rests her hand on my shoulder. Her breath is a breeze across my cheek, and I inhale the scent of her hair—raspberry and coconut.
The song changes, slowing to a softer rhythm. She leans into me. The heat radiating from her body contrasts with the cool night air, and…