Maybe Daniel was right, as much as I hate to admit it. Maybe this is the way to win her over.
“Spend enough time with me and you’ll learn I’m full of surprises.”
I move us into open position, my arm fully extended as I hold her away from me for a beat. When I pull her back in, I do so with enough force that her body collides with mine, the impact sending a jolt through me that steals my breath.
Not from the motion.
But from the feel of her in my arms, her frame molded so perfectly with mine.
I know nothing about this woman other than the fact that she thinks all she has to do is send positive energy out into the universe and everything will be okay. She’s so impractical and carefree, which is everything I’m not.
But my brain doesn’t get the message. My gaze hungrily sweeps over her face, lingering on her full lips. As I watch her tongue flick out and swipe over them, it’s all I can do to stop myself from leaning forward and capturing her mouth in mine. What I wouldn’t give to get a taste of what I’ve fantasized about since I overheard her talking about what my face would feel like buried between her thighs.
Probably since I first laid eyes on her.
I have a feeling kissing her isn’t what Daniel had in mind when he told me to be nice to her. I’m pretty sure that crosses a line and would ruin whatever chance, no matter how small, I have at closing this deal.
Snapping my eyes away from her mouth, I step back into normal position, if for no other reason than so she can’t feel how turned on I am right now.
“Where did you learn to dance?” she asks nervously, not looking directly at me as we continue going through the steps, sticking to the basic routine to avoid any further close contact.
“When I was in high school, I moved to a conservative small town where I worked to overturn a ban on dancing so we could have a prom in a barn like this.”
She slowly shifts her eyes back to mine, brow furrowed in confusion. Then something incredible happens. Her lips curve into a heartwarming smile as she throws her head back, her laughter echoing in the space. Regardless, her steps don’t falter.
I don’t think a laugh has ever affected me like this. The way her entire expression brightens stirs something inside of me. The lightness in her eyes. The wrinkle in her nose. The joy consuming her. All because I made her laugh.
I haven’t made anyone laugh in years.
“Okay,Ren,” she replies, easily picking up on the fact that I just gave her the plot toFootloose. “And here I assumed it was because some girl forced you to take lessons in preparations for your wedding, only for her to realize what a miserable grump you are and leave you.” She laughs slightly, probably expecting me to join her or come back with some snide retort, like I did with the Grinch remarks.
But I have no snide retort.
Instead, her remark freezes me in place, my expression blanching. Her words hit far too close to home, reminding me of the worst time of my life.
“What’s wrong?” she asks when I drop my hold on her. “Did you forget it’s…” She trails off, realization washing over her. “Oh, shit.” She briefly squeezes her eyes shut. “I… Fuck. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just thought of all the reasons someone would take dance classes, then the absolute worst thing that could happen to someone who was engaged or married, but… Oh, Callum.” She places her hand on my arm. “I didn’t—”
I step back from her touch, squaring my shoulders as I smooth a hand down my suit jacket.
“Thank you for the dance, Ms. Holley,” I say, not even able to relish in how amazing it felt to hear her sweet voice call me by my first name. “I enjoyed myself more than I have in a long time.”
“Callum, I’m so—”
“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” I interrupt, then turn from her, my strides quick and determined as I hurry out of the barn.
CHAPTEREIGHT
PARKER
The crisp December air buzzes with holiday cheer as I walk from the inn and toward the lakefront area that’s been transformed into the annual Holley Ridge Christmas Festival. Hundreds of people mill about in excited anticipation, their cheeks rosy from the chilly temperatures as they wait for the tree lighting ceremony. By the sheer number of people, it feels like the entire town is here. Further proof that Holley Ridge has become the heartbeat of this small town over the years.
A sense of community surrounds me as people meander down the long row of vendors selling wreaths, ornaments, and other holiday items, the aroma of sugar and nutmeg filling the air from all the sweet treats. Dozens of people stop me as I roam, telling me how beautiful everything is. How they look forward to coming here for this special night all year. How this has become a family tradition, some even driving hours to be here.
It solidifies my resolve not to consider Callum’s offer to buy this property, just so he can turn it into timeshares.
I’ll find a way to keep this place afloat, even if it takes a miracle.
If there’s any time of year a miracle is possible, it’s at Christmas.
