Chuckling, he released my hand and grabbed my hips, turning and positioning me until I settled on his thigh. I clutched the bouquet in one hand, keeping it close to my chest, as he wrapped an arm around my waist, letting his hand rest low on my hip.
The heat of his palm all but burned through the thin, satiny material of the bridesmaid dress, and I could feel each of his fingers against my body.
“Relax,” he murmured, his cheek brushing my bare shoulder.
I made the mistake of glancing back toward him, our eyes clashing and locking together, only a few inches apart. This close, I could see the striations of light blue in the indigo of his pupils.
“What?” I asked. I’d completely forgotten what he said because I was distracted by how pretty his eyes were.
His arm tightened around me. “Grier, you need to relax.”
“I’m too?—”
“Just take a breath and lean against me,” he said, interrupting my statement that I was too heavy to sit on him for long.
Considering he wouldn’t release me when I tried to regain my feet, I decided to play along and get this over with faster. I leaned back, trying to ignore the heat radiating off his body beneath the thin dress shirt he wore. I also tried to ignore the faint scent of his cologne mingling with a hint of sweat. I failed miserably at both those endeavors, my back stiff and my body tense.
Elijah reached up and tugged lightly on one of the curls framing my face. “You’re too tense, Brown Eyes.”.
I turned my head, my mouth open to say something, and found myself nose-to-nose with him.
“Relax,” he whispered, repeating the word again.
His warm breath puffed against my lips, and every thought in my brain vanished. I did as he demanded, all but melting against him as the photographer set up her shot. I didn’t even blink as the flash went off.
“All right, you two. Stay exactly like that, but turn your heads toward me,” she called.
I heard her voice, but her words didn’t register. Elijah released a quiet chuckle and cupped the back of my head, turning my head toward the photographer.
“Smile, Brown Eyes,” he whispered.
Somehow, I managed to focus enough to curve my lips into a semblance of a smile. The flash went off again, this time nearly blinding me.
“Great. You’re a lovely couple. Enjoy the rest of the reception!”
Before I could tell her that we weren’t dating, firm hands clasped my waist, and I was suddenly on my feet, swaying again. Elijah stood so close that our bodies brushed, like a tease.
“You need to cut loose,” he murmured, looking down at me.
I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his bright blue eyes, but no words came to me.
“Let’s get a drink.”
Without waiting for me to reply, Elijah released my waist, slipping a hand in mine, and tugging me along behind him as he headed toward one of the three bars set up in the room.
I followed in his wake without a single argument.
Chapter Two
The door to my hotel room burst open behind me, and I stumbled backwards, nearly falling. Hard hands gripped my hips, keeping me from crashing to the floor. I laughed as I regained my balance and kicked off my pumps. Was it Elijah that made me so clumsy or was I just drunk?
“Oh, God,” I groaned, leaning against Elijah. “That feels soooo good.”
He chuckled as he pulled me closer. “Thanks. I try.”
I rolled my eyes before I looked up at him. “I was talking about taking off my shoes,” I stated. “It felt almost as good as taking off my bra.”
“Don’t let me stop you if that’s next,” he murmured, his blue eyes twinkling as he stared down at my upturned face.
