“I’ll admit I was utterly clueless about what you were saying.”
“See.” I cross my arms in front of my chest, momentarily vindicated.
“But not because I was ogling you.”
My arms fall to the side. “You just said—”
“It’s because I was watching your mouth move, Ms. Holley.” He winks suggestively, and a heat radiates from his stare. “It’s a completely different thing. If I ogle you, you’ll know.” His gaze travels over my body in painstaking slowness, lingering on my chest as he swipes his tongue along his lips.
A fluttering erupts low in my belly, my legs weakening under his intense stare. His eyes scan every inch of my frame, drinking me in like I’m the first source of sustenance he’s seen in days or weeks.
“You see, Ms. Holley,” he croons, fixating on my lips much in the same manner as he did earlier today. “That was an ogle.” His gaze burns into me like molten lava, setting every nerve ending in my body ablaze, draining all the air from the room.
Then he steps back, breaking whatever spell he so easily cast over me.
“So, swing dancing?” He glances around the barn.
I clear my throat, taking a moment to compose myself and tell my libido to take a hike before she gets me into trouble.
“As you’re aware, Holley Ridge is a popular wedding destination in this area. A few years ago, I got the idea to host dancing lessons for the wedding party and guests as an icebreaker. Over the years, it’s grown in popularity, so much so that locals have started to attend. And before you complain that I should charge people for this service, I more than make up for it with the amount the bar takes in during this event. Everyone needs a little liquid courage before putting on their dancing shoes.”
He holds up his hands in surrender. “I’m not here to question your business practices.”
“I find that hard to believe, considering just a few days ago, you had no problem pointing out what a crappy businesswoman I am.”
“And I shouldn’t have done that. You have my deepest apologies.”
“I don’t know what you think—” I stop short when his words finally register. “What did you say?”
“I said I shouldn’t have questioned the way you run things here. I’m sorry.”
I open and close my mouth several times, speechless. I didn’t think Callum Reed was the type of person who would apologize. He seemed so...harsh and unyielding. A pompous ass who believed he was never wrong.
“Oh. Well. Apology accepted, I suppose.”
He gives a subtle nod, but doesn’t take his eyes off me. It’s unnerving. I can’t remember ever being around another man who peered at me with such intensity.
Who made me feel like we were the only two people in the room.
But that’s how I feel right now. Even if this man is my sworn enemy.
“May I have your attention, please?”
At the sound of the woman’s voice, I snap my eyes away from Callum, watching as Vera, the town librarian, steps up to the front of the room with her husband.
“For those of you from out of town, my name is Vera, and this is my husband, Arnold. We’re delighted you’re all here. And I promise, by the end of the next hour, you’ll all be swing dancing like you’ve been doing it your entire lives.”
The crowd claps politely.
“Now, everyone please pair off. Anyone without a partner, stand on the far wall here, and I’ll get you paired up.”
“Enjoy your dance class,” I say to Callum in a sing-song voice, then turn back toward the bar, wanting to get a good spot to watch him dance.
Before I can make it more than a few feet, he grabs my forearm, forcing me to stop. My skin heats from the unexpected contact, a delicious tremor rushing through me that increases as I peer into his dark eyes, barely an inch between us.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice is a low growl that hits me in places I forgot existed.
“I…” I swallow hard, struggling to regain my composure, his proximity overwhelming me. “I’m working the bar.”
