She steeled herself for the worst of it but then her eyes popped open when he murmured, “Exquisite.”
There wasn’t even a hint of malice or sarcasm in his tone. Perhaps a sliver of teasing, but nothing so overt to make Serenity give him a dirty look.
Wendy glanced at him despite the terror meeting his eyes caused her. Those dark eyes threatened to swallow her whole. He leaned forward, his leg dropping to the floor and his forearms braced on his knees. Then his eyes swept over her body, lingering a little too long on her legs before they lifted to her eyes again. He rolled his lower lip between his teeth and made an appreciative sound. “Legs for days in that dress. Can’t wait to see what they can do when the music starts playing.”
If Wendy wasn’t standing on this pedestal in front of everyone, her instincts would have been to tell him he could keep on dreaming. She wasn’t about to dance with him or show off her legs to anyone.
Unfortunately, with all eyes on her, she couldn’t even muster a snort at his comment. He sounded so sure of himself, so confident—so honest.
Heat bloomed in her face, turning her cheeks a couple shades darker than the dress itself.
“Oh, she’s a real good dancer, too. It’s that southern pedigree.”
Wendy’s focus snapped back to Serenity. She couldn’t recall telling Serenity that she’d learned to dance from a young age. In fact, she could probably tell them all that Serenity was wrong if she really wanted to.
So why wasn’t she?
Lowering her gaze to her hands, Wendy continued to fidget with them. She allowed herself one more peek in Tripp’s direction at a complete loss for words for one of the first times she could remember. While she hated to be put on the spot like this, at least he wasn’t doing anything to hurt or embarrass her.
Serenity’s voice broke through the quiet of the room once again. “I think the two of you might actually hit it off if you gave each other the chance.”
Wendy stilled, waiting for Tripp’s response. She could pretend she wasn’t interested in what he had to say, but who was she kidding? She had eyes. Tripp was attractive. And perhaps there were some things she didn’t know about him—things Olivia hadn’t told her.
Tripp snorted. “Sorry to burst your match making bubble, but she’s not really my type.” His sharp gaze never left Wendy’s form. She could feel the heat of it even as she stiffened at his words. “Pretty packaging, but too much work.”
Her eyes flew wide. Honestly, she really shouldn’t be offended at his statement. It was a matter of opinion, after all. But there was something in the way he’d said it that just made her feel sick to her stomach.
Wendy wasn’t the only one put off by his statement. Serenity gaped at him, her own cheeks tinged with pink. Wendy refused to let Serenity come to her rescue. She could hold her own especially when it came to Tripp. She rolled her shoulders and stared hard at the man in the reflection for just a moment before she smiled sweetly at her friend. “He’s right, sweetie pie. He’s already been trained like a Junebug on a string.”
Tripp’s brows pulled together, confusing marring his handsome face.
“All set, Wendy. You can get changed.”
Relief washed over Wendy, and she hopped down from the pedestal. Tripp was just as bad as she’d remembered. Just because he wasn’t interested in her didn’t mean he had to be so rude about it. She huffed and puffed all the way around the corner and down the hall toward the changing rooms. Fuming too much, she didn’t hear the footsteps at her back until it was too late. A large hand wrapped around her wrist and tugged her gently backward.
Wendy gasped as she was spun around and caged in by Tripp’s arms. His hands were pressed against the wall on either side of her head, his body so close that if she wasn’t glued to the wall at her back, she’d be pressed up against him.
Tripp’s scent was intoxicating. His presence was otherworldly. For a moment her mind escaped her, and she wondered what it would be like if Tripp was actually interested. Would he be agood boyfriend? Would he make her feel like she was the most important person in the world?
His eyes flashed as they searched hers. Then they dropped to her mouth briefly. Her breath caught in her throat. Lips parting, she forced herself to breathe.
Tripp’s voice was low, accusing. “What did that mean?” he demanded. “The Junebug thing.”
The scoff that burst from her chest was enough to pull her from the haze he’d put her under. “Look it up.” She attempted to push him back, but her feeble efforts were laughable.
“I wantyouto tell me.” He inched closer if that was possible. She could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheeks.
Wendy’s mouth went dry and her eyes locked with his. Without thinking, she lifted her hand to his cheek. The stubble beneath her palm only added to her desires and she rose on her toes to briefly brush her lips against his.
The kiss was electric. It hummed and tickled her senses. Part of her wanted to hate that he could affect her this way—pull her in like a moth to the flame. It wasn’t good or healthy, this attraction she had for him.
But she wanted it.
More than she could remember wanting anything.
Tripp had a way of lighting her insides on fire, of making her do and say things that she wouldn’t normally do or say.
Some might call it passion.
