Page 106 of Summer Ever After
Try not to freak out, Jane.
He turns, pulling my body to his. “Do you only swing dance with Dustin Pearce?”
“Dustin’s my preferred partner, but I guess I can give you a turn.”
“As long as you don’t think he’ll break my jaw for dancing with you.” His roguish smile has me throwing caution to the wind.
I give up.
“I’m worth it, aren’t I?” I flash him my flirtiest smirk, making the most of whatever’s happening here.
“You most definitely are.”
His smile is the last thing I see before he spins and twirls me, pulling me in and out of the other couples dancing around us. It’s honestly the most fun I’ve ever had dancing with a guy. It’s fast-paced, exhilarating, and flirty, and when the music ends, we both clap and cheer, letting Mo know how much we loved it.
“We have one last song to play before the big fireworks show,” Mo says into the microphone as one of his guitarists plays chords for the next song. “We hope you don’t mind, but it’s a slow one.”
The crowd cheers, and I glance up at Walker. He doesn’t immediately ask me to dance or grab my hand. The fragile girl inside me panics, not wanting to look like an idiot just standing here waiting to be asked.
Fight or flight kicks in.
“Well, thanks for the dance.” I turn to leave, but he tugs my shirt collar at the back of my neck, pulling me to stay. A shirt tug just became my favorite micro-trope ever—one second ago, I didn’t even know it existed, but I’m hooked now.
“Hold up.” Walker’s blue eyes glimmer down at me. “We’re not done just yet.”
I freeze, waiting for him to make some sort of move so I can follow his lead. His hand slowly glides up my arm, skimming under my sleeve until he cups my shoulder.
The intensity in his gaze turns my stomach to bubblinglava. Nothing is said as he pulls my body to his. His free hand goes to my hair, tucking a stray piece that fell out of my bun behind my ear. I swallow, feeling the warmth of his touch in every part of my body. Fingers trickle down from my ear, over my neck, to my back, and instead of the typical slow-dance position, Walker wraps his arms around me in a bear hug that’s all-encompassing. My hands lift to his waist, but that doesn’t seem like enough. After a moment, I slide them around his lower back. The position holds more security than anything else has in my whole life.
We slowly sway back and forth to the rhythm of the music. There’s a wanting behind how our bodies move together that’s sweet and sensual, churning emotions inside me like the perfect storm. I hold onto his back, contouring my palms over his muscles. I feel his heartbeat through my body all the way to my toes as he leans in, inching us closer together. And all too quickly, the song stops, snapping the thread of desire and leaving me desperate for more.
Our bodies reluctantly peel apart.
“Who’s ready for the greatest fireworks in western Florida?” Mo shouts into the microphone, and the crowd goes wild. “Mayor Barnes put together an incredible show with synchronized music. So we’ll turn it over to them. You guys have been a great crowd tonight. God bless America!”
Chaos ensues around us as people rush to the beach for the fireworks.
Walker grabs my hand, and it’s like I know what he’s asking. I nod, letting him pull me in the opposite direction of the crowd. We walk toward the pavilion, slipping around the corner. I press my back against the cinderblock wall, watching as he closes in. His hand rests above me, allowing him to lean into my space.
The fireworks start, exploding in the sky around us. Thebooms match the driving force pounding in my chest. Walker turns his head, glancing up at the colors, but my eyes stay fixed on his jawline and how his dark waves wisp over his ear and neck. Then, his gaze shifts back to me.
Desire sparks in his blue eyes, and the corner of his mouth curls in the most kissable way. “You have to ask me.”
“For what?”
“I told you I wouldn’t kiss you again until you asked me.”
I should be asking what all of this means between us and what happens when he leaves Sunset Harbor, but I don’t think about any of that.
My mind is only focused on one thing.
“I’m too stubborn to ask,” I say, lifting my chin toward him.
“Then we’re at an impasse. I can’t go back on my word. What kind of gentleman would I be then?” His face moves to mine, barely brushing his lips across my cheek and neck, tormenting my senses. His head drifts back with a crooked smile covering the same lips that set my skin on fire with their skims. “I need you to ask me, Jane.”
“Or I could kiss you.”
Walker’s smile is the last thing I see before I close my eyes and press my mouth to his.
