“Of course. I’ll message Scar to get his ass out of the house.”
Slim Harold’s is a knock-off of a shag club in Myrtle Beach. It’s a restaurant with a dance floor in the center. A thin layer of sawdust covers the floor to make it slippery for the dancers. They’re mostly old couples who can still do the dance to the sixty year-old “beach music,” as they call it. “Rave On” by Buddy Holly comes from the old jukebox in the corner playing original, vinyl records.
“This is amazing.” Blake leans on my arm as we enter the semi-crowded place. “It’s like they’re doing the twist but with little twists mixed in.”
“I thought you might like it.” Leaning over, I kiss the side of her head. “I’ll get us a few drinks. What would you like?”
Her nose wrinkles, and she’s too cute. “A margarita?”
“Be right back.”
I’m on my way to the bar, when I see Hana rushing up to her sister. “Why didn’t I bring my camera?”
She’s in a white lace dress that reminds me of the bikini she had on earlier today. Holding her sister’s arm at the edge of the dance floor, she seems so young and innocent. I have to remind myself appearances can be deceiving.
Scar joins me on the way to the bar, and I lift my chin. “I guess you know what you’re doing.”
He orders a Yuengling and a coke then turns to me with a neutral expression. “I’m doing what you said, making sure she’s safe.”
“Nothing more?”
“She’s not twenty-one.”
“For a few more months.” My eyebrow arches, and I’m not sure I’m buying it. “She’s over eighteen.”
He nods slowly. “In many ways, she’s older than that.”
A hunger is in his gaze as he watches the girls while I wait for Blake’s margarita. They’re at the edge of the dance floor watching the gray-haired couples spin and kick to the classic rock-n-roll music.
Scar and I don’t talk much about our private lives, but in the past, I heard rumors he was into darker activities behind closed doors.
“Hana’s been through a lot.” I stop short of warning him to be careful with her.
He might be into darker kink, but I’ve never heard any complaints. In fact, he’s had a few past liaisons who didn’t want to let him go.
“For now, I’d like to see her healthy.”
The bartender slides the margarita to me, and I take my beer. Tapping my bottle against his, I make a short toast. “To happier times.”
A brief nod is my only response, and I follow him to where the ladies are waiting.
25
Blake
“Hey, girl, haay!” Carmen’s familiar voice slides up beside me. “I haven’t seen you since the ball game.”
“Hey!” I give her a brief, side-hug while I watch the older people dancing on the floor at Slim Harold’s. “How did I not know about this place? It’s amazing.”
“You think so?” Her nose wrinkles. “I guess I’m used to it. Still, it’s the best place for thick-cut bologna sandwiches and fried corn on the cob.”
My eyes widen, and I almost laugh. “I’ve never even heard of those things.”
“And you call yourself a town founder.”
“I’m not really. We only visited a few times when I was young, and we never came into town. My parents were too snobby.”
Hutch joins us, handing me my margarita then sliding his warm hand along my waist. It’s possessive and perfect, and I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Carmen arches her eyebrow at me. “I need a strawberry margarita with some sugar on the rim.”
Rolling my eyes, I take a sip of my tangy drink. “See you in a minute.”
Scar hands my sister what looks like a Coke, and I glance up at Hutch. “It seems like she’s trying.”
His eyes are on his partner. “Pepper talks about her nonstop. Hana’s teaching her to develop photos the old-school way, in a dark room.”
“She’s such a fun little girl. What happened to her dad?”
Pausing, he takes a sip of his beer, and I study the sexy line of his square jaw. “Judy came home pregnant, and never left. She didn’t tell us his name, and no one ever came looking for her.”
“I’m sorry. I assumed he died. I didn’t know.”
“No need to apologize.” He gives me a tight smile. “We’re doing our best to make up for it.”
Tucking my hand in his arm, I rise on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “You’re doing an amazing job. I mean, for starters, this is the first time I’ve seen you have a drink since we’ve been here.”
“It’s Friday night.” The music changes, and he takes my hand, leading me to the dance floor. “We need to blow off a little steam.”
The jukebox fires up a Backstreet Boys hit, and my eyebrows rise. “Open-minded group.”
The older dancers don’t miss a beat, twisting and shuffling their feet to the rhythm of “I Want It That Way.” I hold his shoulder, watching them move.
“It’s a good song.” He pulls me closer, humming in my ear. “Tell me why…”
Heat tickles my lower stomach, and I think he is definitely my one desire.
My eyes drift around the rustic establishment. It’s a mix of young and old patrons, couples of all varieties. Sawdust covers the floor, and the menu consists of burgers and bologna. It’s about as far from a posh New York City gala as you can get, and I kind of love it.
“I wish I could do that fancy dance.” An older couple beside us take turns twirling under each other’s arms.
“Maybe I’ll teach it to you one of these days.”
“I’d like that.” Our eyes meet, and another charge warms my stomach.
“It’s pretty simple. Like most things around here.” He’s watching me, and I can’t take my eyes off him. “Is that something you think you might like?”
Blinking back to the setting, I think about his honest question. Hana stands beside a hightop table with Carmen, who’s belting out the lyrics to the song, and Scar sits on a stool watching her take photos of the crowd with her phone.
Uncle Hugh’s sprawling estate has horses and the grounds I grew up visiting, but even here in this little village, people are friendly and welcoming.
“I don't know.” The idea of moving my life feels daunting but more possible every day. “Would you be here?”
“Of course.”
My bottom lip slips between my teeth, and I nod. “In that case, I think I could.”
He slides his thumb along my chin, tugging my lip free. His green eyes darken with hunger I feel all the way to my core. “You asked me once if I loved your uncle.”
“You said yes.” I remember it well.
“I’m starting to love another member of your family as well.”
Rising on my toes, I lean into his ear. “Would you take me somewhere private and kiss me?”
“God, yes.” The night air is warmer with spring drawing closer, but it’s nowhere near as hot as the fire in my belly as Hutch drives his massive cock into me from behind.