Playing with Words (Boggy Creek Valley #2) - Kelly Elliott Page 0,39

let’s start going counterclockwise in a circle,” she said. “If you’re dancing at a club or bar, the rule of thumb is the faster dancers stay on the outside, while the slower ones stay on the inside. At least that’s what I’ve read.”

“I’m guessing I’d be on the inside of the circle.”

She chuckled and glanced up at me. “Maybe for a little while, until you got used to it.”

“How do you know I won’t step on your feet?”

“Well, as long as I stay in sync with you, you won’t. I can actually feel you move by putting pressure on where I’m holding your hand, and where my hand is on your shoulder. Does that make sense? You go to the beat of the music, and I follow you.”

I nodded.

After a few minutes of walking and doing the quick and slow steps, Greer stopped. “Okay, ready to turn me?”

I stared at her. “Turn you into what?”

Greer laughed and rolled her eyes. “Turn me in the dance.”

“Whoa, I think you’re giving me more credit than I deserve. I’m still mastering the quick, quick, slow, slow.” The song changed to a slower one, and I pulled Greer against me. “Or we could simply slow dance like this.”

Our bodies pressed together, and we swayed from side to side as I let my hand move to the middle of her back.

Greer caught her lower lip between her teeth and smiled. “This is nice too.”

“It is,” I agreed. “And I don’t have to think as hard.”

She laughed and dropped her forehead onto my chest before she looked back up at me. “You’re a good dancer, Hudson.”

I tipped my head in a thank you. “As are you, Greer. Maybe we should take our skills and go out dancing in a real bar.” With a quick look around, I added, “Not that I don’t like your rooftop bar.”

“That would be fun, to go dancing with you.”

I lifted a brow. “Oh yeah? You’d be down for it?”

She let out a soft chuckle. “Yes, but aren’t you supposed to be writing a book, Mr. Higgins?”

Leaning down, I placed my mouth against her ear and whispered, “All work and no play isn’t any way to live, Greer.”

There was no denying the chemistry that licked around our bodies as I drew back and caught her gaze. I fought the urge to kiss her, still not sure if we should take it to that next level.

“No, I guess not.”

I pushed her out and spun her before pulling her back in.

She gasped. “Whoa, now that was a turn!”

“Did you doubt my skills?” I asked.

“For a few brief moments, I did, yes.”

It was my turn to laugh, drawing her body closer to mine while we danced across her roof under the stars and moon.

Greer

I wasn’t sure how long Hudson and I sat on my roof and talked. We started a fire in the pit, grabbed a few blankets, and sat on the cushions and talked about everything. It was so easy to have a conversation with him. We talked about books, politics, places we’ve been in the world, and places we still wanted to see. Hudson told me about his first kiss and how he nearly broke her nose by coming in too fast. He asked me questions about the bookstore and Boggy Creek, and we made a promise to go dancing next weekend when his parents came into town.

As I drank the last bit of wine in my glass, I stole a glance at Hudson. He was staring into the fire, lost in his thoughts.

I set the glass down and bumped his leg with my knee. “Penny for your thoughts.”

He looked at me and smiled. “I was just trying to remember when I’ve had such an amazing time, and I honestly can’t think of anything.”

I felt my cheeks heat and it wasn’t from the fire. “You’re just saying that because I gave you chocolate and vanilla bean ice cream.”

With a sexy-as-hell smirk, he pointed at me. “You’re probably right. But in all honesty, I’ve really enjoyed myself tonight, Greer. Thank you for inviting me over.”

I glanced down at my now-empty hands. I had been twisting them into a nervous knot, and I forced myself to relax before looking back up at Hudson. “I’ve really enjoyed myself as well. It’s been nice taking some time away from the bookstore these last two days.”

“Then, you should do it more often.”

Oh, I’d spent some time away from the bookstore before. On the rare occasion, I’d even taken