stuck at the party for the next couple of hours. Making small talk all the while knowing my girl is walking around the room panty less.
Shit. I’m actually breaking out in a sweat contemplating the possibilities. Reaching out, I switch off the seat warmer, then turn down the heat.
“Kelli said I shouldn’t.”
Fucking Kelli. I want to both throttle and thank her for the suggestion. “Did you take her advice?”
“No,” she admits softly. “Did you see how short this dress is? It’s ridiculous.”
I chuckle and reluctantly remove my hand from her thigh. “Says the girl who claimed her skirt wasn’t that bad.”
“Fine, it’s bad. But it covers up everything else. At least I’m not flashing my boobs. Not that I have much boob to flash.”
“They’re perfect.” She’s perfect. I chance another glance at her to find she’s staring at her chest, smoothing the front of her dress down, fidgeting in her seat. In constant motion, like she’s seriously agitated. “Stop worrying. They’re all going to love you.”
Probably too much. They’ll leer at her and say something inappropriate that’ll piss me off. I’m prepared to hear a lot of shit talk. I’ve done my fair share over the years. I loved nothing more than to give a fellow frat brother endless grief for getting tied down with one girl. Could never imagine wanting to do the same.
Well, things change. People change. And though I can’t classify what Alexandria and I are doing—I’m not ready to define it, damn it—I do know that I’m not going anywhere. I like her. I care for her.
I could possibly even fall in love with her.
Whatever that means.
“You don’t dance?”
I glance over at Alexandria, my gaze meeting hers. The music is loud and she has to shout to be heard. We’re the only ones standing at one of those high cocktail tables, the little glass votive sitting in the middle casting its flickering light on her face. Her eyes seem wider tonight and I blame the makeup. Everything about her is brighter, more intense, more obvious.
Like her beautiful face. Her pretty smile. Her infectious laugh. That sexy body, those long legs that slay me dead every time I look at them. Now she wants to dance. I can see it in her eyes. Hear it in her voice.
I don’t fucking dance. I never have. I was forced when I won homecoming king my senior year but that lasted all of two minutes if that, before I bailed. And that was a slow dance. I can shuffle my feet, hold onto a girl and not humiliate myself. Fast dancing? Hell no.
Shep’s out there making an ass of himself but what else is new? That guy just flat out doesn’t give a shit. I’ve never seen anyone act more ridiculous in my life, yet somehow he always manages to look cool. Everyone loves Shep. He’s the life of the party. The rest of us are just lucky we got invited.
“You should ask Shep to dance with you,” I tell her as I lean over and kiss her soft cheek. “He’ll do it.” Shep and Gabe are the only ones I’d allow to dance with my girl. The other assholes would risk getting their hands chopped off.
“I don’t want to dance with Shep,” she says softly, those big eyes imploring. “I’d rather dance with you.”
Sighing, I search the dance floor, frowning when I spot Gabe and Lucy out there too. Lucy can shake it. I’m not surprised. Gabe looks awkward, all flailing arms and elbows and I barely contain the laugh that wants to escape.
“I’ve never been a good dancer,” I admit, polishing off my Coke. I’ve remained sober tonight since I’m responsible for getting us home. Shep and Gabe both booked rooms at the hotel where the party is being held and I wish I had done the same. At the time they suggested it, I thought it was a stupid idea. Why, I’m not exactly sure.
Maybe because when it comes to this relationship thing, I have no idea what I’m doing half the time.
“How about during a slow song?” she asks, sounding hopeful. I don’t want to let her down. The last thing I ever want to do is crush her spirit. All she’s asking for is a little dance. I can manage that, right?
“Maybe,” I say and the smile on her face was worth my conceding. “Have you had fun?”
“Yes. A lot more than I thought I would.”
Me too. Considering I hadn’t been around much for the