Page 37 of The Summer House
Luke gently took his mother’s wine and set it on the table beside her. Then he took her by the hands and led her out to the dance floor. The minute they got out there, he dipped her dramatically, making her giggle. When he set her back up, she gave him a displeased look but she had a hard time keeping it on her face, her smile emerging again.
“Luke’s always been a mama’s boy,” Aiden said, his tone light-hearted. “He’s a one of a kind—so laid back, full of life.”
“I like that,” Callie heard herself saying and then realized the thought had actually come out. She looked down at her drink, blaming the alcohol but really, it was true. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
She resumed drinking her fruity concoction, not wanting to speak again for fear she might spout off about all of Luke’s wonderful qualities. When she raised her head from her drink, Luke was standing in front of her. “Want to dance?” The music was slow, the kind that made her feel like putting her head on his shoulder.
“Get out here right now!” Juliette called from her group of friends.
“What’s in this drink?” Callie asked, feeling the weight in her legs as she stood up. She used all her focus to get the glass onto the table. When she righted herself, she took hold of his arm to keep herself steady.
“A couple of different kinds of rum,” he said. “We don’t have to dance. I’ll get you a water. Sit back down.”
“No.” She smiled up at him. “I’m okay. It just hit me hard, that’s all.” She could feel the firmness in his grip on her as if he were making sure she wouldn’t fall. “Let’s dance.”
She put her arms around his neck and made eye contact. “I’m having so much fun,” she admitted.
The corners of his eyes wrinkled just slightly with his grin. “I’m glad,” he said. “I can tell that drink has hit you. Sure you don’t want some water?”
“I don’t need any water,” she said, feeling his hands on her hips.
“Okay.” He smiled again.
“What?”
“Tell me, what have you liked most about tonight?”
She reached up a little more and clasped her hands behind his neck, pulling their bodies closer. “I liked seeing your surfboards, hearing you talk about them.” She blinked, willing her eyes to open again. “I liked talking on the beach when we got here and I liked watching you put Mitchell to bed. I like this.”
He chuckled. “Let’s definitely get you some water.”
She stared at him alarmed. “Why do you keep telling me I need water?”
“Because you haven’t opened up so easily since I’ve met you. I can see how hard it is when you tell me about yourself. I like this version of you. Keep it. But without the alcohol.” He leaned down, his lips so close to her ear that she got a shiver. “I think you might actually like me.” He pulled back, grinning that crooked grin, those eyes like sapphires.
“You just like the chase,” she said, her thoughts still pouring out, and the sting on his face surprised her, making her doubt her ability to think rationally. Guilt swelled in her stomach for a moment, but then she faltered. What if he was playing her right now? “I’m probably the first girl who wouldn’t kiss you on command. Well, I don’t do that,” she said, the words coming out softly, giving away her uncertainty.
His gaze was intense, and their feet had almost stopped moving entirely. She could read him perfectly in that moment and he was telling her that she was wrong about him. Neither of them made a move. Finally, he said, “And what if I kissed you now?”
Everything in her body wanted to kiss him, but she didn’t trust her judgment. Things would be different once the alcohol wore off, she was sure of it. She mustered all the courage she had. “I said I won’t kiss you on command.”
The intensity faded and he looked away, contemplative. He nodded, pulling her closer, and they danced.
