“You don’t have to do that. I’ll have Roger give me a bucket.”
“I need to stretch my legs anyway.” I don’t, but I want to be next to her, so that’s the story I’m sticking with. She shrugs and turns to walk away. I catch up with her easily and place my hand on the small of her back, leading her through the crowd. Once we make it to the bar, I know I should drop my hand, but I can’t seem to do it. Our friends could be watching us, and I should care, but I don’t.
“Hi, I need eight bottles and one water.” She looks over at me and smiles, and my heart trips over in my chest.
I lean down and place my lips next to her ear so that she can hear me in this crowd. “Thank you.” My voice is husky even to my own ears. Her emerald eyes smile up at me, and the urge to kiss her is so strong, I have to force myself to look away.
I wish I knew what she was thinking. I wish that I was willing to risk not one but two friendships to see if she feels this intense attraction that I do with her. It’s more than just attraction, though. It’s the person she is. Kindhearted, outgoing, someone you can count on, and so fucking beautiful, she takes my breath away. I have no idea how I’m going to get over her, but if I’m not going to make my move, I need to try.
CHAPTER 3
Riley
By the time Hudson and I return to the table, my nerves are shot. My body is a pining mess for Hudson and his touch. I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but he’s more touchy-feely tonight. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. I crave these kinds of moments with him, but tonight it feels different. I can’t put my finger on it, but it almost feels as if he’s doing it deliberately.
I’m fully aware that it’s probably my imagination playing tricks on me. Which is why when Bruce offers me his hand and tells me it’s time for me to let him spin me around the dance floor, I stand and allow him to lead the way.
“You looked like you could use a break,” Bruce says as he slides his arm around my waist, and we begin to sway on the small section of floor that The Pour House designates as its dance floor.
“A break?” I ask, feigning innocence. My throat tightens, as do my shoulders. He can’t possibly know what being close to Hudson does for me.
“Yeah. It’s okay to be a glow stick.” His smile is wide.
I can’t help the laugh that sputters out of me. “What in the hell are you talking about?”
“Sometimes we just need to break before we can shine.” He winks, and I lose all control. I toss my head back in laughter, and I’m glad he’s holding me, or I might fall over from the ridiculousness of the situation.
“I thought you gave up on all the cheesy pick-up lines?”
“What? Why would I do that? I’ve got game, Riley. I’m talking game. Did you not see all the panties dropping when I walked in here tonight?” He grins.
“Stop.” I slap at his chest where my hands are resting. “You’re too much.”
“Maybe.” He shrugs. “But I got you to laugh.”
“You certainly did that.”
“For real, though, you good? You seem a little off tonight.”
“I’m good, Bruce. I’m just tired. It was a long day at the shop, and I have to be in early tomorrow too.”
“Damn, that sucks,” he says as the song ends and a fast one begins. Our friends all join us, and we’re crammed into the small dance floor like sardines. Raven is grinding on Jacob, and he appears to be loving every minute of it. April and Darcey step forward and pull Bruce between the two of them, while Brett steps up behind Raven to do the same. I watch as Clay steps up behind Darcey and places his hands on her hips. Eventually, the four of them split apart, and are dancing as couples, while my sister has her little trio going on, and from the looks of it, all three of them are having a blast.
I try not to let my mind wander to the fact that Hudson and I are the only two not paired up. I can’t even turn to look where he is for the fear that he might see the truth in my eyes.
I want him.
It turns out I don’t have to look. When I feel a set of strong hands land on my hips, I know it’s him. My body knows it's him. His smell of soap and sandalwood assaults my senses. I should pull away from him. Being this close, having his hands on me, is just going to make me long to be his, even more so than I already do, but I’m powerless to stop it.
No, instead, I back into him, leaning my back against his chest. His grip on my hips tightens, and the action sends a thrill racing through my veins. Feeling brazen, I sway my hips, but because of our proximity, it’s more of a grind into his dick. His very hard dick.
“Riley.” It’s half moan, half groan, and I wish I understood what it meant. Is it a warning? Is it an invitation? I start to step away from him, but his hold is firm. “We’re dancing,” he says, his hot breath fanning my cheek.
We’re dancing.
Brett moves away from Raven, his hands in the air, his head bobbing to the beat, and stops when he’s in front of me. He sways his hips and winks. I smile at him and lift my arms in the air to match his move. He steps closer as my hips move to the rhythm of his. He grabs my hand in the air, and we wave them together, extending over our heads. The entire time, Hudson is glued to my back, never once letting go of his hold on my hips. In fact, it might have even gotten a little tighter when Brett sauntered over.
Brett is a flirt, and I’m relieved he moved over to us. It takes some of the sexual tension away from Hudson and me. It’s miserable wanting someone you can never have. I need to get over this. I need to get over him, but then nights like tonight happen, or incidents like this morning, and I fall right back into his trance.
Song after song, we dance. Brett jumps from couple to couple and grinds up on all of us. We’re all smiles and covered in sweat as a beat turns slow. I try to step away yet again from Hudson, but he holds me.
“One more,” he says. I know it’s all in my head, but his voice almost sounds pleading, and how am I supposed to say no to that? I don’t. Instead, I turn in his arms, and give him a small nod.
My eyes scan the floor, and all our friends are still out here dancing. They’re not couples either, but they are coupled up. I spy Brett flirting with the bartender. Something I’ve noticed he does every time we’re here. And it’s not just any of the bartenders, just this particular one. I make a mental note to ask Raven if she’s noticed. Pulling out of my thoughts, I smile up at Hudson, whose eyes are boring into mine.
My hands that have been hanging at my sides slide up and over his chest and behind his neck. There is a slight tremble that I’m sure he can feel, but I lock my fingers behind his neck anyway. He expels a heavy breath and pulls me closer, his hands now resting on the small of my back.
I open my mouth to speak, but I can’t seem to find words for this moment. A moment that will be forever engrained in my memory. A moment I’m trying really hard for my heart not to latch onto. Instead, I avert my gaze, looking around the small bar.
We’re barely swaying to the beat of the slow country tune that plays from the overhead speakers. We both seem to be lost in our own thoughts, holding on tightly to one another. It’s moments like this that make me think he might want more. That there is a possibility he’s harboring the same kinds of feelings for me that I am for him.