Page 10 of After-Party Consequences

‘That sounds like a challenge I can’t resist,’ he said as he lifted her hand and buzzed a kiss across her palm.

The jolt of heat arrowed down. The intense gaze was something she recognised from long ago, but it wasn’t cold this time. It was scorching her skin in the most delicious way possible.

‘Okay. I’ll dance with you.’ She grinned, feeling daring for the first time in a long time. ‘But be warned, you might lose a few of your toes.’

‘I’ve always figured toes are like good girls...’ he declared as he led her onto the moonlit dance floor. ‘Overrated.’

‘It’s just an easy two-step, but with more of a booty sway...’ Cade clasped Charlotte’s left hand and placed his free hand on her waist to direct her movements. ‘But let’s not get too fancy right off.’

‘Yes, let’s definitely not do that!’ she remarked, her face a picture of concentration as he showed her the forward and backward steps, and helped her to roll her hips in time with the music. ‘I do not want to fall on my arse in this dress,’ she added.

He laughed, the comment as infectious as the scent of her—sultry and fresh—on the night air. And the feel of her in his arms.

‘And it’s such a nice arse,’ he offered, using the British word.

He’d been determined to avoid Charlotte Courtney if she showed up at Luke’s party. He had important business tonight if he was going to secure a summer date to win the bet.

But the second he’d laid eyes on her, strolling into the garden wearing a wisp of a dress which hugged her slender curves, the rush of adrenaline had been followed by a heady shot of desire. And all the reasons why he shouldn’t approach her andshouldn’t pander to his curiosity about her had flown right out of his head and drifted away on the warm sea breeze.

After their ten-minute conversation, he’d made the welcome discovery the fragile, lawless girl had become a stunning, strong and forthright woman—her brittle edges replaced by a refreshing sass.

She moved with the same easy rhythm he remembered from when she’d danced on that table, but she seemed more circumspect now—which only charmed him more.

The band launched into an old Cajun classic, full of rhythm and swing—the fiddles joined by bass guitar and the whine of a harmonica. The dance floor was packed, and the slower tempo allowed him to hold her closer. But as the familiar musical lilts flowed through him, she tensed.

‘Relax, Charlotte. Ain’t nobody grading you, I swear.’

Her gaze, which had been locked on her feet, met his. He found himself drowning in that bright green gaze, her lips a feast he wanted to taste so badly his mouth watered. Ironic, given that when she’d offered them to him four years ago, he’d been appalled.

She grinned. ‘Easy for you to say.’ But she softened enough to brush against him in a sensuous rhythm, which could get awkward fast.

He lifted her arm and stepped back. ‘Go for it,’ he murmured, and she took the hint.

Her ripple of laughter as she spun round under his arm was almost as intoxicating as the breathless excitement on her face when she landed the turn and slapped her palm against his chest to regain her balance.

He launched her into another twirl.

‘Enough!’ she chuckled as she fell back into his arms.

Damn, but she was delicious, and a remarkably fast learner.

He imagined a host of other things he would love to teach her...

Whoa, boy. Don’t go getting ahead of yourself.

He needed to find the perfect summer date, and Charlotte would always be an unknown quantity. Plus she was based in the UK, so however attracted he was right now, she wasn’t likely to be the woman who could help him win Helberg. But who said he had to find his date tonight? Why not just enjoy himself—and satisfy his curiosity once and for all?

He clasped her waist, anchoring her hips, as the band dived into another tune. Their easy moves became more potent, more passionate, a dance of ecstasy and joy. The swift streak of heat and excitement felt familiar and yet entirely new as they moved to the beat—and she lost her inhibitions, becoming bolder and brighter and more dazzling.

When was the last time he’d danced the Zydeco? And taken the time to relax and enjoy himself with a woman who fascinated him? He picked up the pace, captivated when she followed his lead effortlessly, and added some booty shakes that had his senses reeling as fast at the fiddles.

The soft, silky dress and the firm, toned flesh beneath moved against his palm as they pressed closer, the dance floor filling, the heat rising.

Time faded as the night flew past in a haze of sensation.

By the time they’d danced for almost an hour, they were both breathing hard, covered in a light sweat in the muggy night. The press of the other bodies, the scent of burning pork and salt on the sea air was underlaid with the sultry perfume of flowers and female sweat.

She laughed up at him. ‘This is so fun!’ she said, her excitement clear and uninhibited. ‘But I can’t believe I haven’t crippled you.’

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