Rogue Devil (The Rourkes #11) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,45

parents were already near the dance floor, taking pictures, so they join in too. Even baby Olivia is up there, tucked in the crook of Dylan’s arm while he dances with his wife. Our table is now empty except for me and Chloe.

Last man standing.

I lean close to her ear and drop my voice to a husky tone. “Every one of my brothers is on the dance floor with their dates.”

She turns, so close I feel her sharp intake of breath. “You said I didn’t have to dance.”

I tilt my head. “Don’t make me look like a wiener.” It’s one of her favorite expressions. Wiener. She’s funny in her own weird way.

She looks at me under her lashes. “I like wieners.”

I laugh, take her hand, and draw her up. “Come on, you can handle one slow dance.”

She follows me without a word, her hand tucked in mine.

Once we’re on the dance floor, I rest my hands on her hips. I could do a waltz with some space between us, but that’s not what I want. Her arms go around my neck a moment later, and I almost sigh in relief. We sway in time to the music while I breathe in her sweet flowery scent. She’s quiet, looking at a point over my shoulder, and I’m not sure where her head’s at.

“What do you like so much about babies?” I ask.

She brightens, meeting my eyes. “They’re so sweet, and they smell so good. Fresh and new. Plus they need you so much. No one ever needed me for anything.”

I consider that. She’s the younger sister, so Sara took care of her.

“Didn’t you ever take care of a doll or a pet or something?”

She rolls her eyes. “We couldn’t have pets at our apartment and a doll isn’t the same. I guess you could say I take care of myself, but that’s not nearly as fun as taking care of a little one.”

“Well, you’ve done a fine job taking care of Kablooey.” That’s her good luck troll.

She laughs. “I guess so.”

I pull her closer, my hand resting on the small of her back. She doesn’t pull away. In fact, she seems to melt against me. I can’t hold back much longer. I feel too much, want too much. We don’t talk, yet somehow our bodies seem to be speaking their own language. Her soft curves press against me, and the heat builds between us.

The song changes to a fast one, and Chloe pulls away.

“Not my thing,” she says in a breathy voice, heading back to our table.

I don’t push it. I give her space and join Jack with his friends at the center of the dance floor. He throws an arm over my shoulders and grins at me. I wish I could be as happy as he is. All these weddings, watching my older brothers get hitched, happier than they’ve ever been, it’s made an impression on me. Makes me think maybe there is something worthwhile in sticking around.

I glance over at Chloe reading something on her phone. Probably the latest genetic research. She’s so different from me, but in a lot of ways we seem to fit. I don’t know how it would work out for us long term with her going off to med school and me being anchored here, but we have now. Isn’t it worth trying?

Chloe

Things got a little dicey on the dance floor with Bren. Being held in his arms, it felt like something real between us. Yet I can’t ignore the fact that he’s out with other women. I don’t believe he sees me as a conquest; we truly are friends. But there’s an undeniable chemistry that we’ve both tiptoed around. The whole thing just makes me sad and confused. I don’t have a lot of close friends like Bren in my life. It feels like we’re inching toward shaky ground, and I don’t want to lose him.

The moment he returns to the table, flushed from his exertion on the dance floor, I say, “I don’t think we should slow dance again.”

He taps the end of my nose and gets in my face. “I don’t remember asking.” He flops down in his seat and takes off his blazer, setting it on the back. Then he loosens his tie and undoes the top two buttons of his white dress shirt, revealing his sexy chest.

I face front. Nice, Chloe, checking him out while you sit here worried about losing his friendship. I don’t think I’ve ever been