They swayed together, talking softly before Chris spun her out and back into his body. Lucy’s laugh rang out over the music and I smiled. Her happiness was contagious.
I managed to forget about what would happen next. For a little while anyway.
Then the song ended and the bridal party stepped out onto the dance floor with Lucy and Chris. I took a deep breath and headed toward Landen. My skin felt hot and my head light and I realized that the margaritas and champagne were hitting me harder than I expected. I powered through it and moved across the dance floor. Landen stood in the center, his hands tucked into his pockets. My heart stuttered at the sight of him but I didn’t hesitate. I walked right up to him and took the hand he offered me.
I was fine until he brought my body flush with his. Why I expected him to maintain a decorous distance between us, I don’t know, but I had. Right up until my breasts brushed his chest and his pants grazed the skirt of my dress.
I tried to take a small step back but he’d already wrapped his arm around my waist, keeping me close. I tilted my head back to look up at him and noticed that his cheeks were flushed and his eyes glittered.
It appeared I wasn’t the only one enjoying the open bar tonight.
Landen began to guide me around the floor, his hold firm. Every time I tried to put a discreet bit of distance between us, he brought me right back against him.
“Give me a little space,” I demanded, keeping my voice low. Normally, it wouldn’t bother me to create a scene but this was Lucy’s wedding. I didn’t want me arguing with Landen on the dance floor to be one of her memories.
“No,” he replied, his voice just as quiet.
I fumed in silence for a minute then grinned to myself. Then I stepped on his toe. Hard.
He grunted, his grip tightening on my waist for a moment, but he didn’t back up.
I was just about to do it again when he spoke, his chin brushing my temple.
“Just let me hold you. Please.”
His voice was rough, low, and, fuck me, sexy. It brought to mind dark rooms, tangled sheets, and damp skin. I very nearly gave in and let my body melt against him.
But I was made of sterner stuff than that.
“Why?” I asked, no longer thinking about stepping on his toes.
To my amazement, he managed to pull me even closer until our chests were pressed together. Somehow, he still managed to keep us moving, even though our legs were dangerously tangled.
“Because you feel fucking amazing.”
This time he turned his head as he spoke and his mouth brushed my skin, bringing goose bumps out all over my body. My nipples hardened and I think every muscle in my pelvis tightened.
I couldn’t say anything else, not when all the breath had left my body. There was nothing else to say anyway. The rest of the dance was mercifully short, but my skin felt as though it were on fire. When the music ended, we stopped moving, but Landen continued to hold me close for just a moment until the next song came on.
As soon as his arms released me, I backed away, unable to look at him. I knew that he would see everything I was feeling if my eyes met his. The need in my body, the ache between my thighs.
Without looking back, I turned and skedaddled out of the ballroom, heading for the doors that led outside. The building was lit up on the exterior, a beacon in the dark night, but I wanted the darkness. Needed the quiet.
I kept moving, heading toward a large tree in the distance. The golf course was empty and silent as I walked around the tree and leaned my back against it. I released a long breath as the cool evening breeze brushed my skin, taking away the burn that Landen’s touch had created.
Until I heard the footsteps.
Without looking, I knew it was him. That he’d followed me outside. Even knowing that he was there, I jolted when he appeared next to me, his face shadowed.
Neither of us spoke as he stepped forward, closing the distance between us. Even if I wanted to, my tongue refused to work. I could only stare up at him, trying to read his expression in the darkness.
But all I could see was the gleam of his eyes. He loomed over me, wrapping one arm around my waist and sliding his other hand up the back of my neck until it was fisted in my curly blonde hair. I leaned into him, lifting my hands to his shoulders, not to push him away, but to get closer.
Landen made a low sound in his throat. “Chelsea,” he whispered.
I shuddered in his arms and lifted my chin so that my mouth brushed his hard jaw. It was a wordless invitation because I didn’t think I had the ability to ask for what I wanted. I was too lost in my body’s reaction to his proximity.
I gasped as he tugged, tilting my head back, but I didn’t tell him to stop. Beneath the dark sky, with the spring breeze blowing around us, I could admit, at least to myself, that I wanted what he was about to do. I wanted him to take control and kiss me.
