Page 35 of The Way We Score

Another serious look, and she lifts her little finger, crossing her heart and lifting her elbow, doing her best to bring it to her mouth.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to kiss my elbow.”

“Well, stop. You look like something’s wrong with you.” Reaching out, I grab her around the waist, standing and holding her at my side like a sack of potatoes. “Now let’s get back to the party!”

She lets out the happy little-girl squeal I was hoping for. “Uncle Grizzlaaaay! Put me down!”

“What?” I yell. “I can’t hear you over the music!”

She starts kicking her feet, and I lower her to the ground. The moment her shoes touch pavement, she’s off running at top speed. “I’ll show Aunt Thelma my cooter!”

I chuckle watching her zoom straight to the dance floor, and Liv pushes off a column, where I guess she was waiting or watching, eyes narrowed with a smile.

“I didn’t even tell her to do that.”

She shakes her head. “Has anybody ever told you you’re pretty good with kids?”

Reaching out, I pull her to me by the waist. “I’ve had a lot of practice.”

“I know, I was there, but you’re especially good.” Her hands rest on the lapels of my jacket. “Not all men seem to get that message.”

“What message?” My voice is low, and I lean down to catch her eyes.

They flicker up to mine, and she shrugs. “Being good with kids is sexy.”

The charge between us flashes, and I nod. “Never thought of it that way, but good to know.”

“Very good.” She turns, stepping out of my embrace but sliding her hand down my arm.

I stand for a moment, watching the sway of her hips as she walks to the dance floor. It only takes a minute for me to snap out of my daze and hustle right after her.

7

Olivia

We’re so close, it’s painful. Garrett’s large hands hold my waist, and his hips move with mine. He’s always been a good dancer, and it’s always been fucking sexy as hell.

Our faces are close, and that kiss floods my memory. It started out gentle, but it quickly turned demanding and possessive. I was hungry—make that starving, and it was a big fat steak. The slide of his tongue against mine, the feel of his hard cock against my stomach, had me antsy and adrenalized.

All night I dreamed of what it would be like to go further. Is it possible? Would he want that? The way he’s moving right now makes me think he would. It was his idea to start kissing after all.

A Beastie Boys song starts, and the guys rush onto the floor.

“Get over here, Grizz!” Craig yells out, and a frustrated smile curls his lips.

He presses his forehead to mine. “Hold that thought.”

My lips tighten into a smile, and I nod up at him. We’vebeen dancing closer and closer to the fire and now the flames are tickling my inner thighs.

“Liv!” Dylan wobbles up, still in her wedding dress, and puts a crystal tumbler of amber liquid with a bright red cherry in my hand. “I had the bartender mix this just for you. It’s called a hot cherry because you love cherries so much.”

“Ahh…” I do a U-turn with the glass and pass it right back to her. “No thanks. You know I don’t like your hot stuff.”

“It’s not pepper hot!” she cries, passing it to me again. “It’s cinnamon—Fireball and cherry bomb. Try it!”

Wrinkling my nose, I take a careful sniff. “It’s your wedding day, and I hate to disappoint you.”

---