Nine
Cocktail hour was mostly takenup by pictures and greeting tons of people I had never met before. Mitch and Walker were already desperately trying to hit on Randy’s cousins, and I was scanning the crowd for anyone that wasn’t married, too old, or one of my womanizing friends.
“Cali, I have someone I’d like you to meet.” Randy walked up to me with a tall, handsome man on his heels. “This is Kyle. Mags told you a little about him. She wanted to make sure I introduced you.”
“Hello.” My hands started to get clammy as I got a good look at just how good-looking this guy really was—he was downright herculean. Perfect ice blue eyes, sandy blond hair, very tall, extremely toned muscles that his button-down clung to perfectly—everything I ever wanted. I had always said that all I wanted was to find a blond-haired, blue-eyed guy so our kids would have blond hair and blue eyes; here he was standing in front of me and I was frozen, stammering like an idiot.
“Can I grab you a drink?” We walked over to the bar where I ordered a glass of wine and he got Scotch on the rocks.
We stood at a high table, sipping on our cocktails. “So what do you do, Kyle?”
“I actually just became an Orange County sheriff's deputy. Started last Monday.”
Who could resist a man in uniform?
“Congratulations.”
He rolled his finger over the rim of his glass. “Thank you.”
Mags ran over to me. “There you are!” She grabbed my hand. “We have to head over to the dinner area. It’s almost dancing time!”
She started to drag me away and Kyle laughed at us. “Thanks for the drink.” He raised his glass in the air. “Save a dance for me.”
“Okay!” I called back over to him before getting completely swept away by the buzzed bride.
* * *
“May I have this dance?” Mitch extended his hand to me after throwing his napkin on his plate, and of course it was a twostep that came on.
I shoved out of my chair. “Why the heck not?”
The drinks had already started to go to my head as Mitch led me out onto the dance floor. The tent that had been set up in the yard was magnificent. There were twinkling lights strung up everywhere with a few chandeliers hanging about. The DJ had put beautiful lighting around the space to give it a nice purple hue.
“Try not to step on the shoes, they’re rented,” Mitch teased as he started to push me around.
I didn’t know if it was the alcohol or the wedding bliss that was swimming around, but as I looked up at Mitch as he twirled me around, I saw him in a completely different light. His dark hair, smoldering stare, chiseled jawline, beautiful tattoos, and smile that could last for days—it was all stunning to me.
Before my mind could overanalyze what my heart was doing, I was grabbing Mitch’s shirt and pulling his lips down to mine. Slowly, our lips connected. Smooth and soft at first, the sweet kiss then turned into hunger and lust. My tongue explored his mouth and his hand slid down my back to grip my ass.
Trying to catch his breath, Mitch pulled away from me. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
Once his words registered, I took a step back. “Probably not.”
Mitch hugged me to his side. “If we are ever going to hook up, I don’t want either of us to be drunk when it happens.” He kissed my forehead and handed me off to Mags as she swished over to me. “Want a drink?” Mitch looked at both of us as we nodded.
“I saw you!” Mags waggled her finger in my face as her drunk smile got wide.
I shrugged. “I got swept away by all the love you and Randy keep oozing out of your pores.”
“I think it’s time for flats.” Mags grabbed my hand and we made our way over to the table where I had hidden more comfortable shoes for us earlier in the day.
After my feet were finally relaxing in ballerina flats, Kyle grabbed my arm. “How about that dance?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mitch holding my glass of wine and staring at Kyle taking my hand. I raised my eyebrow, hoping that Mitch would swoop in and tell Kyle to go fuck himself, but Mitch did the friend thing and nodded at me with a smile as he set my drink down at my spot at our table.
I was surprised by how well Kyle could dance, and I was shocked when he didn’t make fun of how terrible I was. A slow song started to wind down the crowd and Kyle’s fingers twisted into my hair as he grabbed the back of my neck. The rough gesture sent chills down my spine.
“Come home with me tonight, Cali.” Kyle’s soft, deep voice swayed along to the music as he grabbed my hip with his free hand.
“Maybe.” My lips brushed over his ear as he pulled our bodies closer together.
“I like those odds.” He growled into my ear.
