The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,215

line.”

She jumped off her stool and stumbled around Libby to stand in front of him. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You’re still in the wedding?”

He smiled, but his eyes were sad. “Nope. Nana Ruby still insists.”

She poked her finger into his chest. “Then grow a pair of balls and tell her no!”

“No. I won’t. But Neil can.” His eyebrow rose. “Did you know that? He could tell her no, but he hasn’t. Why not?”

She knew, but she wouldn’t admit it to him.

“You obviously don’t want me to be in your wedding. Have your fiancé kick me out.”

“How about you do the right thing?”

His face spread into a slow lazy grin. “I am doing the right thing.”

“Then quit.”

“Dance with me.”

She tried to sort it through in her head, but her mind was fuzzy from the alcohol. One dance and he’d quit the wedding. It seemed safe enough, even if the thought of dancing with him spread a pool of heat between her legs. She reached across the table and took a big gulp of her drink before turning back toward him. “Okay.”

He looked surprised by her easy acceptance. Maybe she should have negotiated for more.

He took her hand and interlaced their fingers as he pulled her away from the table. A distant part of her mind realized Libby and Megan and the brothers McMillan were gaping at them in surprise. Her hand tingled from Garrett’s touch, and she wondered what else he could make her feel. If it would be even half as good as it had been in the past. Based on her current reaction, she was sure it would be a thousand times better.

He tugged her around a booth and led her into a dark corner with two empty tables, giving them privacy from the rest of the patrons. He stopped and looked down into her eyes, making no move to touch her other than their still-linked hands.

“I thought we were going to dance,” she murmured, her gaze drifting to his lips.

He grinned. “We are, but not yet.”

“Why not?”

“It’s the middle of a song. I want my full dance.”

“So we’re just going to stand here and wait, looking like idiots?”

“No one can see us, Blair. I’m the only one who can see you right now, and I definitely don’t see an idiot.”

“Why are you doing this, Garrett?” Her voice hitched as she said it, and she just wanted to slap herself silly.

The song ended and a new one started, a nineties ballad with cheesy lyrics. Blair barely heard it. He took a step toward her, making her hyper-aware of how close they were.

His hand reached for her waist, slowly skimming her dress before coming to rest on the small of her back, his eyes holding hers. He stepped even closer, leaving barely an inch between them. Her skin tingled, and she automatically lifted her hand and rested it on his shirt. His chest rose and fell under her hand.

“Just a dance,” she whispered, his eyes captivating hers.

He smiled and pulled his other hand free from hers so he could rest it on the rise of her hip.

“Were you really scared to ask me out?”

His grin spread, and he leaned down toward her ear. “More than you could ever know,” he whispered. “You still scare me.”

“How do I scare you?”

Rather than answering, he lowered his face to the nape of her neck, his breath hot against her sensitive skin. Shivers shot down to her toes. She cupped the back of his neck, her breath coming in short pants.

“Do you have any idea how sexy you are in a deposition?” he asked, moving his mouth to her jaw, her breath fanning her cheek.

“No.” She could barely think, barely breathe—all she knew was that she needed him.

“You’re like a panther, slowly circling its prey, looking for any sign of weakness. And then when you strike . . .” His teeth skimmed her jaw, lightly nipping. “It’s so damn sexy.”

Her toes curled, and she pressed against him, trying to get closer.

“I want you.” He pulled her tighter to him, leaving her with no doubt of how much he meant the words. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.” His mouth hovered over hers.

She could smell beer on his breath, and she was sure he could smell the whiskey on hers, yet he didn’t kiss her . . . and it was driving her crazy.

“I’ve tried so hard to forget you, but you’re burned into my brain, imprinted on my heart.”