Page 7 of Rafe

“I, uh, I’ve got to go meet with my friends.” A smile bloomed on her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hailey wave to her. Her attention snapped back to the stranger. “Well…thank you again.”

“Any time.”

Skylar turned to her friends and casually walked out to the dance floor. Don’t look back. Don’t look back. The band began to play AC/DC, and patrons poured onto the floor. She stole a glance at the bar, but he was gone.

“Who’s the hottie?” Eva yelled to her.

“Just a guy.” Skylar zipped her purse. “I dropped my card on the floor.”

“Maybe it’s a sign?” Hailey suggested.

“What?” Skylar struggled to hear over the music.

“I said…it’s a sign!” Hailey pumped her fist up into the air and began to gyrate suggestively toward her.

Skylar laughed, taking her hand. Within minutes, she’d lost herself in the music, relieved the momentary flirtation had broken. Whatever she’d just experienced had been merely a fleeting temptation. Nothing more, nothing less.

Yet as the song continued, and she spun dancing, her eyes were drawn to the bar where he sat talking to an older attractive gentleman. Eva reached for her hand and recaptured her attention.

As the song tapered off to an end, Skylar tapped at the screen on her watch and looked at the time. Twelve forty-five. Nothing good happens after midnight. Except tall hot guys rescuing your credit card. She laughed inwardly and leaned over to talk to her friends.

“Hey. Guys. I think I’m going to head home.”

“One more drink,” Hailey pleaded.

“I think I’m good. I have to get back because—” The microphone squealed, the singer of the band announcing the next song. “I have a ton of work to do in the morning.”

Eva frowned. “Come on, one more for the girls. We can go for beignets after.”

“I don’t think I should—” Skylar eyed her friends with suspicion as their expressions morphed to wide smiles.

Skylar sensed his presence seconds before she turned to look behind her. The handsome stranger wore a sexy smile. Skylar gave a nervous laugh as he strode toward her. Her heart pounded like a drum as he extended his hand.

“Can I have this dance?” he asked.

Standing still like a deer in the headlights, she failed to resist the temptation. Transfixed on his eyes, she nodded and placed her hand in his. Willingly she fell into his embrace and swayed to the slow Cajun waltz. As if they were the only two people in the room, they moved in tune with each other. Her skin broke out in gooseflesh as their arms entangled bringing their bodies closer. As he spun her, her back brushed against his hardened chest. With each slow movement, her body lit with desire.

As the music slowed with a final beat, Skylar fought to conceal her attraction to him. His piercing eyes locked with hers, and she bit her lip. Oh no. Girl don’t get involved. You’re leaving. But he’s so so…hot.

Her body thrummed with longing as he released one of her hands to focus on her other. His thumb swept over her inner wrist sending shivers up her arm. As he released her hand, she stepped back, her pulse racing.

“I, um, thank you. I—” I’m leaving.

A broad smile crossed his face. “Thank you for the dance, cher.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied, her voice soft. “Thank you.” Tall, dark stranger. Sexy as fuck stranger. You’re moving, Sky.

“My pleasure.”

Laughter behind her drew her attention and she caught sight of Hailey entertaining two men at the bar who had no chance. Skylar snapped her focus back to her dance partner, her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes widened. He was gone. “What the fu…dge?”

Skylar scanned the bar for him, the hard reality of the situation settling in her stomach. The former two-minute lust of her life had completely disappeared. Ghosted.

She shook her head and sighed. “Well, if that isn’t the story of my life.”

Head on a swivel. Skylar looked over her shoulder and quickly focused ahead as she hoofed it towards her house. The wind howled as it whipped across her body and she shivered. She clutched her arms across her chest wishing she’d worn more than her thin leather jacket.

Almost home. She walked at a brisk pace, stilling as a loud bang echoed to her left. The hairs on the back of her neck stood as she heard a cat’s wild cry from behind. She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a stray cat ducking behind a truck tire. She resumed walking, increasing speed as she approached her block.