Page 26 of All Hale the Queen

After dancing with Remi, Phoenix and Helix take their turns dancing with their mother. Nicolette pulls her eyes from the dance floor and levels them on me. I have a feeling she knows there’s something going on between her mother-in-law and me, and I worry she’s going to spill the beans to the entire table.

But her lips curve into a sly smile. “You know, I think Antonio should dance with Mom too.”

I freeze, waiting for Remi to blow up, but he simply shrugs. “That would probably be a good idea since you’re her actual date. Give the rest of us a break,” he teases, feigning wiping sweat from his forehead. “I have no idea where Mom gets her energy.”

Oh son, if you only knew the energy your mother has when she’s alone with me.

I do my best to tamp down the arousal flooding my system as the memories of last night come rushing in. “I can do a fair waltz,” I offer.

“Next waltz, she’s all yours,” Phoenix announces, and god, I wish that were really true.

When the band kicks off an Alan Jackson tune, Nicolette stares at me and gestures one hand toward the dance floor like a game show hostess. I chuckle and stand, removing my jacket and heading to the dance floor. That Nicolette is one perceptive lass, and I can only hope she will keep our little secret.

Tapping Helix on the shoulder, I say with mock formality, “Pardon me, sir. May I please dance with the lovely lady?”

He laughs and twirls his mom beneath his arm before placing her hand in mine and bowing gallantly. “You kids have fun. I’m going to see if Nic needs anything.”

I wrap one arm around Ophelia’s trim waist and grasp her hand. She places her other one on my shoulder and smiles up at me. “Hey, handsome. You come here often?” she teases.

Putting on my best southern drawl—which honestly is not very good—I reply, “Why Ms. Ophelia. Are you flirting with me?”

“What if I am?” she challenges as I begin moving us around the floor.

“Then that would lead me to believe you wouldn’t be offended if I acted less than gentlemanly toward you later.”

Her lips curve into a tempting delicacy I’d like to devour. “What did you have in mind, sir?”

Fucking hell, this woman…“Keep calling me sir, and you’re going to find out.” I spin our bodies and manage not to step on her feet.

“Where did you learn to dance?”

“Miss O’Reilly in primary school. She made us learn, and if we stepped on our partners’ toes, she would smack us around the head with a ruler. I was rather gangly with big feet, so I got more than one smack in my day.”

“I like your big…” Ophelia pauses and bites her bottom lip before finishing. “Feet.”

A body part that is definitely not a foot recognizes her innuendo and thickens in my pants. She grins broadly, enjoying this power she has over me. Hell, I enjoy it as well.

We finish the dance with me managing to not break her toes or come in my pants, and the singer announces the band is taking a short break. Someone turns on a dance tune from the sound system, and more people crowd the dance floor. Reluctantly, I release my gorgeous date and turn to guide her toward our table.

But we’re stopped by Phoenix, followed by Jordie, who pokes me in the chest. “Uh-uh. You two are staying out here for this one.”

I look around at the partygoers who all seem to know some secret dance I’m not privy to. “I have no idea what this is,” I hiss at the young woman.

“It’s called the Dougie,” Jordie announces. “I had to do this in the end zone with my team back in high school when we’d score a touchdown. Come on. It’s fun.”

Then she and Phoenix proceed to teach Ophelia and me the dumbest dance I’ve ever witnessed, but by the time we’re done, we’re all laughing. After that, we do something called the Wobble, taught to us by an enormous biker called Hammer. I like this one because it gives me a chance to check out Ophelia swirling her hips around. Christ, she’s sexy.

“I need a drink,” my date announces when the song is over, dabbing delicately at the sweat dotting her forehead.

“I’ll get it for you,” I tell her. “More champagne?”

“Just water, please. I’m going to freshen up in the restroom right quick.”

I head to the bar and order us both a water, keeping Ophelia in my peripheral vision until she disappears down a short hallway. Many of the attendees have left, so the crowd has thinned a bit. That’s when I notice a blond man looking around furtively as he follows her path.

“Goddammit,” I curse, abandoning my post by the bar and wending my way quickly toward the restrooms. J.P. Jenkins better not be headed where I think he’s headed or this may well be his last night on Earth.

Chapter 10