Tending Tara (Alaska Blizzard #7) - Kat Mizera Page 0,18

probably going to be wasted tonight.”

“You and me both.” Donovan looked at Tara. “You want some?”

“Absolutely.”

She accepted a glass and took a sip, her eyes widening in surprise. “It’s strong,” she said. “But delicious.”

He filled a glass for himself and tried it, nodding slowly. “I taste a little bourbon, something carbonated like Sprite, and definitely a hint of grenadine. I don’t know what else is in it.”

“Perhaps it’s better we don’t know,” she said, smiling up at him.

Damn, she was pretty. Those eyes of hers got him every time, but tonight they were magnificent. Her long lashes were accentuated with mascara, and her lips were covered in something sparkly and pink. Once again, he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her but opted to wait. They were still dancing around each other, so to speak, and he wanted to make sure he wasn’t mistaking her friendliness for something that wasn’t there. He normally trusted his gut when it came to women, but this was his teammate’s sister, so he was going to be careful.

“Do you dance?” she asked him.

“I’ll dance with you.”

They moved onto the dance floor and kept their cups in their hands as they joined a group doing some line dance he’d never heard of. Tara seemed to know the steps, and he managed to follow along, laughing when he messed up and trying to mimic her steps. She lifted her dress since it was too long and full for this kind of thing, and he caught a glimpse of her shoes. Were they actually glass? He leaned forward and grinned.

“Are you wearing glass slippers?” he demanded, laughing.

She grinned. “They’re some sort of plastic and acrylic—they were all the rage a few years ago, but I thought they were perfect for tonight.”

“They’re great,” he agreed.

“Hopefully, I won’t lose one at midnight.”

“I’ll keep an eye on you,” he said, laughing.

They danced for the next two hours, pausing once in a while to refill their cups and occasionally drink some water or use the restroom. Finally, after what seemed like endless fast songs, the DJ played something slow, and Donovan didn’t hesitate to pull Tara close. Despite her bulky dress, she moved against him easily, wrapping her arms around his neck. They swayed in unison, bodies close, and he rested the side of his face on top of her head. Her body was made for his, and he ran one hand down her back, resting lightly on her backside, even though it was hard to feel through the layers of her skirt.

“You want to go outside for a little bit?” he suggested when the song ended. “It’s a thousand degrees in here.”

“Sure.” She slid her hand into his, and they walked out the back onto the deck. Gage had put up heaters because it was chilly out, but there was still a nice enough breeze to cool them off after the temperature inside.

“Having fun?” he asked as they walked to the edge of the deck and looked out onto the grounds. It was dark, but there were twinkling lights everywhere that gave it a romantic hue. There were a few other couples out there as well, but Donovan was far more interested in Tara. He’d never spent an entire evening dancing like this, enjoying the company of a woman he was neither married to nor having a one-night stand with. Had it really been that long since he’d dated? It was a little surreal, but he’d been gun-shy after the divorce. Tonight, he was one hundred percent ready to get back on the dating horse.

“I’m having a wonderful time. I think I like Halloween.”

“I think I like you.” He reached for her, gently pulling her against him. “Can I kiss you, Tara?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

9

His lips were soft, but he took firm control of hers. The moment their mouths came together Tara’s heart rate picked up, and she slid her arms around his waist. She hadn’t kissed anyone in more than six months, since her disastrous post-breakup one-night stand. He’d been a nice enough guy, but there was a complete and utter lack of chemistry; Donovan was all chemistry. His tongue breached the seam of her lips and slowly tangled with hers. He took his time, as if there were nothing else he’d rather be doing than kissing her. Touching her.

Even as the chilly night air cooled her skin, Donovan’s touch warmed her from head to toe. Their mouths were practically fused together, neither willing to pull away, sensually