Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,330

Dickwad throws his hands up and stalks off. I sigh with relief that she’s in my arms. It’s then I realize she’s still dancing and swaying to the music. Hales has turned to place her back to Aiden’s front, as well, and we’re all laughing and having a good time. The song changes to Colt Ford’s “Dancing While Intoxicated”, and I smile. Allison isn’t pulling away, so I decide to embrace it and hold her close.

Hailey and Aiden are getting pretty cozy; she reaches up and wraps her arms around his neck still grinding in front of him. She winks at Allison, who seems to take that as her cue to mimic them. Allison reaches up and places her hands behind my neck, and as she does I lean down and put my face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in. Her hair being pulled to one side is sexy as hell, and turning out to be quite a convenience for me. She turns her head to look at me and gives me a shy smile. We continue to bump and grind to the beat of the music, and I’m lost in her.

As the music turns slower to “You Won’t Ever Be Lonely”, Allison starts to pull away. I seize the opportunity to turn her toward me and hold her tight. “Dance with me, sweetheart,” I whisper in her ear. I can see Aiden watching us as he pulls Hailey closer. I don’t care, besides he’s nuzzled up with my sister. If this is as close as I can get to her, I’m going to take full advantage. I know what Aiden said is right; I’m not that guy, the one looking to settle down with one girl. Allison deserves her happily ever after, the kind a guy like me can’t give her.

Her only reply is to wrap her arms around my waist and lay her head on my chest. She’s so tiny and fits perfectly in my arms. I sigh deeply; I’m so relaxed in this moment. I pull her tighter and began to sing softly to her.

Before I even realize it, the song is over and another slow one begins. Allison makes no move to pull away. At this moment, it would take a small army to pull me away from her, as Kenny Chesney sings about having him from hello. I smile and think to myself, she most certainly did.

Allison adjusts her hold on me and wraps her arms all the way around my waist. I feel something move inside of me. I don’t even know how to express these feelings I’m experiencing. Something tells me she’s feeling it too, but I know too much about her. I can’t give her what she wants, what she deserves. I place a soft kiss on the top of her head and close my eyes, enjoying the feel of her in my arms while it lasts.

The song ends, and I think I hear Hailey telling Aiden to buy her another drink. Allison raises her head from my chest and looks up at me. I place my forehead against hers. I want to kiss her so damn bad, but I don’t want her first kiss to be here in a smoky bar surrounded by drunks, it needs to be special. I lock my gaze on her emerald green eyes and emotion swarms me. I have to swallow the lump in my throat before saying, “Thank you for the dance, sweetheart,” and kissing her on the forehead. I link her fingers through mine and guide her to the booth, where Aiden and Hailey already have fresh drinks waiting.

Chapter 7

Allison

“I can’t believe that your Ace is our Aiden. What a small world,” Hailey says to me. Aiden and Liam are at the bar getting our drinks.

I simply nod my head, I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact I’d told Aiden I thought my roommate’s brother, who also happens to be his roommate, is hot! I hope he keeps his mouth shut.

“Here we go, ladies,” Aiden says as he places our drinks in front of us.

“Where’s yours?” Hailey asks Liam.

“One of us needs to be the designated driver.” Liam shrugs his shoulders.

Hot isn’t really an accurate description of Liam. He’s tall with broad shoulders and defined muscles. The faded blue jeans and black dress shirt he’s wearing with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms shows off his body perfectly. As usual, when I am in his presence, I