Somewhere inside her, the voice of reason reminded her she had probably already mixed one too many drinks. However, although the wine and the Bailey’s had nudged her into happy territory, she needed something stronger to push her over the boundary.
She was too on edge, too aware.
“What do we owe you?” she quietly asked the bartender.
The man just glanced at Alex, who shook his head. “It’s on the house.”
“We can pay for our drinks. I don’t want to take advantage.”
“You’re my special guests, remember?” Alex winked. “It has its privileges.”
“Well…um, thank you.” Why did she have trouble stringing a sentence together in front of this man? “You’re not having one?”
“No.” He reddened. “They’re pretty sweet. I try to limit how much sugar goes into my body, but please enjoy yours.”
“I wish I could say I was strict about what goes into my body.” As soon as the words tumbled out of Dana’s mouth, she remembered what happened between her and Alex at the tiki bar. Her nerves finally manifested in a crazed laugh.
Alex’s gaze dropped briefly to her mouth, but he didn’t point out her slip of the tongue. “It doesn’t look that way. You look like you take care of yourself.”
“It must be all that running to the gourmet cheese shop.”
“You could have fooled me. You look beautiful, by the way. That dress…it’s life-altering.”
Dana’s cheeks heated. “Thank you.” She tried to look sophisticated, as if she attended VIP parties all the time. She sipped her cocktail. “Oh, my God. This is delicious.”
Laced with cinnamon and rum, the cocktail made her feel warm and pliable. This time, when she snuck another glance at Adam Maxwell, he looked like any other guy.
“I’m glad you like it,” said Alex. “Try to nurse it. I hear they’re stronger than they taste.”
Dana took another sip of the sweet concoction.Not strong enough.
Anise finally broke her silence. “It was nice of you to invite us, Alex.”
“My pleasure. I’m just sorry a divorce is what brought you to us.”
Anise’s eyes tightened. “That’s life. Onward and upward.”
“This trip is all about creating experiences,” added Bea.
Alex nodded in approval. “I’m glad my party will be one of them.”
As a buff man in swim trunks strode toward the pool deck, Jessica cleared her throat. “Oh, it’s an experience, all right.”
Alex chuckled. “Well, aside from the scenery, we have the best DJ, the best drinks, and the hottest dance floor in town. And now we have all of you.”
Jessica poked Dana. “This one’s a charmer.”
“He has his moments.”
Alex turned to look right at Dana. His questioning gaze was full of heat, one she couldn’t ignore.
She looked away, but no matter where she looked, she couldn’t escape the thick atmosphere or the allure of sex. She saw it in the flirting couples around the room. She definitely saw it in the bikini-clad guests out on the pool deck. And it shone clear as day from Alex’s eyes.
Maybe it was time she admitted he might have a thing for her.
Just as she did for him.
The knowledge might be unnerving, but it was also exhilarating.
