Page 61 of Give Me a Reason

I still hadn’t figured it out when it was time to move on to the first dance. The couple picked this song, and it was a good one. Everyone loved it.

I focused on the music and the couples who came out to the dance floor. The couple allowed requests, so I fielded those for a while by myself before Aria pulled up a chair next to me. “I’ll help you with requests so you can play.”

“Thank you.” I hadn’t anticipated that she’d be helping me tonight.

She gave me a bright smile before turning her attention to a guest with a song suggestion. She made a list of requests and tilted the pad of paper in my direction.

It was nice working with her. She made comments on her favorite songs, circling the ones she loved. I made a mental note of the ones she seemed to enjoy. I didn’t know if she was aware of it or not, but she tapped her feet to the ones she enjoyed the most.

When it was time to cut the cake, she touched my arm. “You can pack up. I’m going to make sure this goes smoothly, and then I can take a breather too.”

“I’ll hang around for a bit.”

She waved a hand at me. “Oh, you don’t have to.”

“I want to,” I said just as Ireland pulled her away.

I grabbed a drink from the bar. I never indulged until I was done for the night. Tonight, I could use it. Aria had me all worked up inside from that kiss and from the dress she wore. It was perfectly chaste up top except for the way it danced around her upper thighs when she walked, teasing me with every step.

She had this delectable ass I wanted to squeeze. I regretted our lack of time the other night. I wasn’t able to see her naked, to shed her clothes one piece at a time and worship her. My pants were getting tight, so I forced myself to look away from her.

When the cake was cut and the music played from the speakers, Aria slipped out the front doors. I set my empty glass on the bar and followed her.

She leaned down to slip off her wedge heels, and I almost got a tantalizing tease of her ass. It was all bare skin, and I wondered if she wore a thong or if she was bare. I sucked in a breath as she continued walking down the path Lily had cleared for guests to take a moonlight walk.

It was the perfect night for it. I followed her, quickly catching up to her. “Going for a walk?”

She raised a brow. “Yes?”

I chuckled. “Was that a question? You don’t know what you’re doing?”

Her face was pensive. “It’s more like I don’t know what you’re doing here.”

I sobered and stuffed my hands into my suit pants. “I thought I’d tag along. I didn’t get a chance to talk to you tonight.”

Her lips twitched. “Mmm. Yet you found time to kiss me in the kitchen.”

I grinned. “You gotta make time for some things, ya know.”

She smiled wider. “Uh-huh.”

I wanted to interlace my fingers with hers and drag her off the path to a secluded spot. I wanted to push her against a tree and kiss her. I wanted to swallow her moans and feel the press of her breasts against my chest. I adjusted myself before she could see how she was affecting me.

“Why are you really here?”

“I like your company.” It was as simple as that. As much as I wanted her, I craved her presence.

Aria shook her head. “You’re confusing.”

I arched a brow. “How so?”

“You say you don’t want a committed relationship, yet you seem to be pursuing me.”

Every few feet, a light illuminated the path and her face. She was gorgeous. “I don’t know what I’m doing. But I know I like you.”

Aria stopped. “I don’t want to get hurt.”

My heart ached. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

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