“I’m not much of a drinker,” I manage to eek out after a few moments.
There’s a collective giggle around the table.
“We’ve figured that out,” someone chimes. I’m too busy trying to swallow down the taste of the tequila to look up and see who.
Thankfully, Jackie has also ordered a round of rum and cokes for everyone. Though the drink is strong, it’s not as potent going down as the tequila.
“All right, enough drinking, let’s dance!” Jackie shouts. She attempts to grab my hand but I wave her off.
“Next song,” I say, hoping to buy more time before I am forced to embarrass myself.
Thankfully, Jackie leaves me, and she and Rose hit the dancefloor, and are immediately scooped up by two men. It’s easy to see the dance instructor in Jackie. Her movements are fluid and confident. She doesn’t hesitate or second guess herself at all. Her face is light and laughing as she looks up into the surprised face of her dance partner. Maybe he wasn’t expecting such an adept partner but he got one. The two whirl around the floor to some song with words I can’t make out.
Tracey and her partner are not as able to keep up with the other two, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t just as interesting to watch. Tracey is quite the dancer herself. And what she lacks in technical form, she makes up for in enthusiasm. I smile at the pair as she easily moves into the following song.
“You said the next song.”
I blink and look across the table at Shawna who is eyeing me.
“Another one,” I answer.
Her smile drops a little but she shrugs and turns.
My lips part in surprise when she swiftly grabs one of the men standing at the edge of the dance floor, leads him onto the hardwood, and begins moving in time with the beat, leaving him to follow. He does so easily.
I shake my head, wondering how someone could have so much confidence. And even though I’m not dancing, I am enjoying myself watching the women I’m with dance the night away.
“Just going to watch from the sidelines?”
Goosebumps shoot down my arms at the sound of the male voice behind me. I don’t turn to look but I know I’ve heard that voice somewhere before, though I can’t pinpoint it.Ignore him and he’ll go away,my reserved side tells me. Any man with a voice that deep and sexy is trouble. And trouble is the last thing I need right now.
However, someone clearly forgot to tell that to all of the alcohol I’ve consumed over the past three hours, because in spite of my better self, I can’t help but turn to look at the man who has now interrupted my solitude.
It’s him.
The man from earlier in the day, at the hotel. His eyes are too intense to stare at for too long, so I allow my gaze to drop to his perfectly formed, full, pink lips.
“What did you say?”
Those lips curl upwards on one side.
“Are you just going to watch the entire night or enjoy the fun?”
“Was that an invitation?”
I have no idea where that retort comes from but something releases inside of me when his smile widens, notifying me that it pleases him. I swallow the lump forming in my throat.
“It is,” he smoothly responds, holding out his hand.
My eyes dip to stare at it. His hand is large and I don’t miss the few dried calluses and blisters. He must work with his hands for a living.
“Don’t be scared,” he urges.
My gaze connects with his, and I see the challenge in his eyes. He’s pushing me, goading me and he wants me to know it.
“I’m not frightened.” I lift my chin in defiance.
“Prove it.”
