“I don’t think so. You invited me here.”
I pull my arm from his hold. “I did nothing of the sort. I simply extended an invitation as part of our daily activities.”
“That’s not entirely true,” Estelle pipes up.
I curse under my breath. For a woman who claims to have trouble hearing, she seems to have no problem when it comes to Callum and me.
I slowly shift my eyes in her direction and shoot daggers.
“Youdidmention you thought it might be a good way for him to get into the holiday spirit. Then you specifically asked if you could count on him to be here. If you ask me, that sounds like more of an individualized invitation.”
“Grandma Estelle,” I seethe through a tight jaw.
“Precisely the way I took it. If I’m dancing, you are, too.” He curves toward me, and I have to fight against the shiver that snakes down my spine. “If you’re trying to get rid of me by forcing me into dance lessons, you’ll have to try much harder.” His voice is deep enough to drown in, sending heat spiraling through me.
Our eyes lock in an unspoken challenge, the atmosphere crackling between us with electricity potent enough to light the entire west coast for years to come. Then he pulls back, that same charismatic smile returning to his face.
“You wouldn’t want me to miss out on the full experience of Christmas at Holley Ridge, would you? Considering I’m your highest paying guest, I think I should be entitled to a few additional perks.”
“And you consider dancing with me a perk?”
“Absolutely, Ms. Holley.” He extends his hand toward me again. “Shall we?”
I lick my lips, searching for anything that can get me out of dancing with Callum. Touching Callum. Being a whisper away from Callum. This is a disaster waiting to happen.
“The bar!” I exclaim. “I can’t leave the bar unattended.”
“I’m not dead yet, Parker,” Grandma Estelle snips out.
“But dance night can get busy.”
“I’ll help her,” Haley volunteers.
“You don’t even work here.”
“You’re hired,” Estelle tells her.
“Goodie!” Haley claps excitedly, making her way behind the counter.
“Problem solved.” Estelle beams. “Now go enjoy that…Christmas spirit.”
CHAPTERSEVEN
CALLUM
I don’t know what came over me. Why I coerced Parker into being my dance partner for the night.
It was one thing to play along with her scheme to convince me to leave by subjecting me to an activity she assumed I’d never be interested in, especially since most other men are only here because their wives promised something in return for suffering through a night of swing dancing.
Probably a blow job.
It’s another thing to spend the night dancing with Parker Holley. This wasn’t my intention. I planned to prove to her that she can throw all the cheesy activities she wants at me and it still won’t chase me away. Not with millions of dollars on the line.
But the second I laid my eyes on her in the knee-length, red dress that clings to her curves before flaring out at the waist, I lost all sense of reason.
“Honestly, if this isn’t your thing, you can leave,” Parker whispers as we face Vera and Arnold. “No hard feelings or anything.”
“I appreciate your concern, but there’s something you should know about me.”
