Page 87 of The Red-Hot Stakes

At last, I was ready for dinner. My knee-length sundress was black with bright pink and white swirls all over it. The wide straps and boxy neckline were cute. Its tapered waist showed off my trim figure, and the skirt fluttered nicely in the tropical breeze.

Liam looked amazing in a bright-blue button down with white Bermuda shorts. “Ready?”

We all congregated in the open-air hallway of our building, us girls fawning over each other’s dresses. Then we started walking to the restaurant, our first real trek through the resort since arriving. I’d studied the map and gotten a decent feel for the place. The majority of the restaurants were near the main lobby building, but to the left.

I ended up in front, leading the way, and no one questioned it. A sense of accomplishment washed over me as the restaurant block came into view, the Italian one first in the section.

At least I could still contribute something. Liam grinned, then nodded. Just a little nod, but I couldn’t help the small smile that played on my lips, knowing he’d seen and acknowledged me.

The restaurant was decorated in soothing blues and greens, with cloth tablecloths and napkins. Candles in glass holders flickered on the round tables, four to six wicker chairs at each. It was elegant, but beachy at the same time. The menu held a mix of pizza and pasta dishes. Several plates of rolled up meat, roasted veggies and some sort of creamy white dip were placed in front of us, along with a loaf of bread and a plate of spices which the server poured olive oil over.

I didn’t usually drink wine, but it was an Italian restaurant so I figured, why not? Our waiter was fun, with a wonderful sense of humor.

We ordered several pizzas as another appetizer, and he handed us each an unopened can of tomatoes. We glanced at one another in confusion before he finally took pity on us, taking the cans and setting them on the table in groups of three to rest the pizza on top of. His laughter rang out at the expressions on our faces, and we joined him.

When the waiter came back around to refill wine glasses, he paused mid-pour to stare at Derek. “You’re not driving home, are you?”

It was the perfect way to start our vacation. The pizza was delicious, as was my mushroom risotto. Everyone raved about their food between bites, and the air between us relaxed. We finished up, getting two of each of the desserts, then passing them around so we could all try a bite. My favorite was the cannoli.

When we left, I was stuffed, but I felt lighter than I had in weeks, closer to myself and my friends than I had since my breakup.

Music pulsed from near the main building, and Avery bounced on her toes. “They said they’d have dancing every night. Let’s go!”

The beat called as her gaze locked on me. I nodded, and we linked arms, sashaying our way to the party. There was a wide-open theater space with an empty stage. Every evening they put on some form of entertainment, but we’d missed it for the night.

As we kept going, we reached a covered walkway that butted up to the back of the main building then opened into a huge domed ceiling covered with palm branches. A balcony hovered above us, connected by a glass elevator carrying people to the second floor.

The dance floor was decent-sized, tables and chairs lining the perimeter. There were two bars, a makeshift one in the entryway and another more permanent one in back. Us girls hit the restroom. While we were gone, the guys claimed a table and ordered drinks for all of us. Liam slid a mai tai in my direction. I nodded my thanks, taking a sip.

That was all I got before Avery dragged me out to the dance floor. We made space not far from the group, just us that first song. As we danced and giggled, I couldn’t help remembering all the times we’d gone clubbing over the years. An ache formed in my chest as I watched her. I knew our friendship was about to change irrevocably.

It already had, but this next step was even bigger. I was happy for her. Ecstatic, even. She and Derek were meant to be. It just made my limited time with her all the more special, so I concentrated on enjoying each moment.

After a couple of songs, we took a quick drink break then Avery used her irresistible charm to drag our entire group onto the floor. At first, they were careful not to pair up, but as the night went on and the alcohol flowed, it was harder to resist. I couldn’t—and didn’t—blame them.

Liam’s lithe body called to me. I remembered how he moved, knew how his fingers felt on my hips, how he writhed when I ground against him. I wanted to feel it again.

Another drink was thrust in my hands. Then another. My feet hurt, and I was sweating from the heat, but I was laughing, smiling and loving every minute of it. My friends leaned on their significant others, more heavily by the moment.

And I envied them.

When I stumbled into Liam, his warm hands caught my waist. I lost myself in that emerald gaze as the familiar scent of cedar and pine wrapped around me. Time froze. The decision to dance with him was never made, but I was moving with him to the beat all the same.

My hands splayed across his firm, glorious chest. He dug his fingers into my hips as I swayed, pulling me closer with every beat of the music. My breasts brushed his pecs, my nipples hardening into aching peaks. I ground against him, and I felt him lengthen as he met me, beat for beat.

The song ended, and the DJ said goodnight as the lights flashed on. I blinked in the harsh glare, and Liam jumped back as if he’d been burned. I hid my hurt, putting myself on hydration duty to keep the pain at bay. Hopefully the blackmailer had missed my moment of weakness. I composed myself as I snagged us all bottles of water, forcing them on everyone, then led the way back to our building.

Derek argued that I was going the wrong way, but Liam surprised me by standing up to him. “She’s got this, D.”

Avery nodded, too, giving my confidence a boost. I found our rooms without a problem, smiling smugly at Derek when we arrived. Once inside, Liam and I stared at each other.

“I’ll change out here,” I announced, hoping I’d brought decent pajamas.

He shrugged, ducking into the bathroom. I dug through my suitcase, finding a cami and cotton shorts that would work. I tapped on the bathroom door, telling him the coast was clear when I was done.

The door swung open to reveal him brushing his teeth. I joined him, everything feeling too familiar, too raw. No barrier was strong enough to keep out the pain of being this close to him. Then we climbed into bed, like we’d done so many times before.

But he wasn’t mine to reach for, wasn’t mine to run my hands over. I heard him rustling, felt the mattress dip as he took off his shirt and shorts. Knew he’d sleep only in his boxers. The space between us was so minuscule, I felt the heat wafting off him.

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