Page 41 of One Touch

He certainly would be shocked to find out about the incessant thoughts I had been having about his little sister.

When the music slowed, I let my eyes roam over the dance floor.

“Who the fuck is that?” I asked without thinking.

Some douchebag in Dockers and a tight flannel shirt spun Kate and pulled her into an overly dramatic dip.

Duke followed my gaze and smiled. “Oh, hey. That’s John Mercer. Went to our high school. I think either Lee’s class or maybe the one right after.” Duke shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. He’s a decent guy.”

Jealousy burned through my gut as I watched him step on her toes. Katie giggled, then swatted at his chest.

I didn’t give a shit if he was the nicest guy on the planet. I didn’t like his fumbling arms around her.

I scowled as he stumbled through another song, and instead of feeling pity for her incredibly left-footed dance partner, her cute smile grew wider, and she pulled him into an affectionate side hug.

When the music slowed again to a sad country ballad, I finished my beer and set it on the table with a plop.

I cleared my throat and wiped my hands on the front of my jeans. “I’ll be right back.”

I didn’t bother looking back at the table as I headed straight toward Kate. I ignored the hopeful smile of the blonde from earlier as I breezed right past her.

Standing next to Kate and her dance partner, I towered over him by at least six inches. My eyes burned into hers. “May I have this dance?”

Kate’s eyes widened, and I was fully prepared for her to laugh in my face, but she stood silent.

“I ... I think we were ...,” John stammered.

“It’s okay,” Kate cut in. Her palm landed gently on his chest, and she smiled sweetly at him. “Thanks for the dances, John. Let’s catch up again soon.”

His eyes moved to mine as his jaw clenched, but the man knew when he had lost.

With a resigned nod, he took one step back. “You two have a good night.”

As the music floated around us, Kate stared up at me with stunned eyes. I opened my arms, and she silently stepped into my embrace. Her palm slid into the expanse of mine, and I curled my fingers around her delicate hand. My other hand slipped around her trim waist, my calloused fingertips smoothing across the soft, exposed skin above her hip.

Kate tipped her head back to meet my eyes, and her brunette waves tumbled over her shoulder, exposing the delicate column of her neck. Her heartbeat hammered beneath the thin skin, and I wanted to plant my mouth on that pulse point until I could feel her heartbeat radiate through me.

I stared down at her.

Kate blinked. “Suddenly felt like dancing?”

A soft smile teased the corner of my lips as I looked down at her face, flushed from dancing and laughing. “I’ve been watching him step on your feet for the last three songs. I couldn’t stand it anymore. Figured maybe you were looking for someone who can dance.”

Kate squeezed my hand, and her smile had my heart banging against my ribs.

“By all means, show me what you got.”

At her challenge, I started moving her around the dance floor. Not quite a two-step, but I managed to guide her and move her to the beat. The inches disappeared between us as we swayed to the music. Soft, golden light bounced off her radiant skin. Her delicate floral scent filled my lungs, and I pulled her closer.

“Are we ever going to talk about the poker game?” Her voice was barely audible above the music.

I paused to stare down at her. “We can. Just not tonight. Not right now. Let’s just enjoy this.”

Kate exhaled and leaned in, melting into my embrace. “Okay.”

I held Kate against me until the song ended. When the band transitioned to something new, we stayed planted, staring at each other.

Unmoving.

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