Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,38

want you all to know that I love and appreciate each and every one of you,” Mom continues through tears. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.” She gives a hard sniff as another deafening applause breaks out. Her hands bat through the air until the noise dies down. “And, on that note, I’d like to invite up my daughter, my saving grace—Izzy, why don’t you come here.” She motions me over. I give a quick glance to Laney. I feel like crap when my mother treats me like an only child. “Izzy”—Mom comes over and pulls me in—“for the last several years you’ve been running this place like a pro, and I wracked my brain trying to think of how I can repay you. All I could come up with was this.” She leans in and gives me a heartfelt hug.

Tears blur my vision as she holds on tight. I can’t remember the last time my mother offered an embrace.

“I love you, mommy,” I whisper just for her.

“I know,” she whispers back.

I wipe down my face and call the lead dance team to the front. They step forward carefully unfurling a banner that reads Thank you Ms. Bobbie for twenty fantastic years! A colorful montage of signatures are scrawled out all over the sign—hundreds of sentiments from students old and new.

Tears roll down my mother’s cheeks, in tandem, as she takes it all in.

My mother is a good person who deserves all of the good things life has to offer. I hope one day she finds someone deserving of her company, and, until that day happens, I’ll make sure she always has me. I don’t want her to ever be alone.

I look up, and Holt catches my eye.

I don’t want to be alone either.

Once the studio clears out, Holt offers to help with the clean up. Laney and her friends took down most of the decorations before they left. Bryson took Annie home, so Holt and I have the studio to ourselves.

Holt dips his chin and looks at me from across the room like he’s ready to pounce, and, holy hell, I’m not too sure I’d stop him if he tried. His eyes are on fire, and his smile is most definitely lewd. I’m liking the direction this is heading—a whole hell of a lot.

“Nice party, kitten.” Holt strides over like a man on a mission.

“You know what I’ve always wanted to do?” I turn it to the last song on my phone and lock it in on a loop. Music filters through the air—a moody lyrical piece, rife with romantic implications.

“Test out the speakers when there’s no one around?” He makes his way to me with his eyes glazed over, his lips already parting. Holt holds out a hand, and I take it.

“No, this.” I wrap my arms around his waist, and he’s quick to do the same. I’ve missed this with him since the moment we parted ways last week. I don’t bother telling him this is my second slow dance with a man in my entire life and that he’s that man.

“You’re pretty good at this.” He dips his face into my neck and unabashedly takes a deep breath.

“Why are you always sniffing me?” I hold back the giggle ricocheting in my chest.

“Why do you always smell so damn good?” He lands a cushioned kiss over my neck, and I pull back. “Sorry.” He blinks a quick smile.

“Don’t be. In fact, put your lips back there.” I take a deep breath and feel his body crushing over mine. “I was enjoying that.”

Holt complies without a word, and his mouth lands over my neck in a series of butter soft kisses trailing up to my ear.

“Are you feeling this?” he whispers.

“God, yes—it feels amazing.”

“I mean us.” He tucks the words hot in my ear.

I freeze for a moment before forcing my muscles to move in time with his. There. I’ve done it. I’ve toyed with his emotions, and now I’ve landed us in this questionable place.

“Holt”—I pull back—“I can’t date you.”

“Why not?” His Adam’s apple rises and falls as if a tragedy were about to unfold, and I think it is.

“Because.” I shrug, trying to lighten the mood. “I’d have to dye my hair blonde and outfit my wardrobe with skanky clothes. Which I may or may not already own.” I bite over my lip as if I were trying to shake up his Levis. “Plus, I’d have to dust off my bombshell bra, and