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"All work and no play make Naomi a dull girl. Dance with me, babe."
Before she could utter a protest, the band struck up, and Josh pulled her into an energetic waltz. It left no time for talk, or indeed worries of any kind, as her friend whirled her around the dance floor at dizzying speed, in direct contrast to the tentative dance lessons they’d taken together in the run up to the wedding to help him prepare for this.
It took all of Naomi’s concentration to keep up with him, and when the music eventually slowed and Josh stopped the dance by tipping her backward over his arm, they were both laughing. Her amusement dissipated somewhat when Dawson stepped up to them, slowly clapping his approval.
Around them, couples swayed to the next, much slower number the orchestra played, and she didn't know where to look when Josh spun her round to face the other man.
"You two look good together, and you, husband, have been holding out on me. When did you take dance lessons?" Dawson asked.
Josh's arm around her waist tightened for a moment before he released her with a gentle push in Dawson's direction.
“Naomi is a good partner.”
Dawson’s smile slipped, and Naomi swallowed nervously at the flash of disapproval that crossed the other man’s features.
"I just bet she is," he murmured, grasping her around the waist and pulling her close against him. A shiver of need went down Naomi's spine at the contact because this close to him she couldn't help but notice the long, hard evidence of his arousal digging into her. He smirked when he seemed to notice her reaction. "Perhaps I should find out for myself how good our girl is?"
It wasn't a question so much as a statement, as he began to sway his hips to and fro in tune to the music, and Naomi had no choice but to dance with him. It was that or cause a scene in the middle of the dance floor, and with Josh running an unsteady hand through his dark hair, and offering them both his lopsided grin, she couldn't bring herself to do that. If Dawson would even let her go. The arm around her waist, one hand clamped possessively on her hip, seemed made from steel.
Josh made a big show of shrugging and winked at her. “I convinced our girl,” he paused and grinned when she gasped at the intonation he put on those two words, “to take lessons with me, before the wedding, so that I would be stepping on her toes, and not yours when the time came to dance in front of everyone. As you can see she feels good in one’s arms, doesn’t she?”
Naomi barely swallowed her moan this time because Dawson chose that moment to bring the hand on her hip, down to her ass. He yanked her closer still, dipped his head, and dropped a kiss on the rapidly beating pulse point in her neck. His breath ghosted across her perspiration-slick flesh when he spoke.
“Indeed, she does, all soft and curvy like I like my women.”
The inherent promise—or was that a threat—in those murmured words meant she missed a step, and her heel made contact with Dawson's polished dress shoes. He winced, and Josh laughed.
“I’ll leave you to it. Gonna start making our goodbyes.”
Naomi was dimly aware of Josh’s departure, too caught up in the feel of being in Dawson’s arms as he started to move them around the floor with effortless ease.
“Relax, and let me lead.”
His dark eyes flashed in amusement when she took a deep breath in an effort to do so.
“That’s better, girl, saves my feet, too.”
On impulse, Naomi stuck her tongue out at him, and Dawson threw his head back and laughed.
“Oh, if you were mine, you’d pay for that, girl, for sure. Now behave yourself and dance.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Naomi had meant for that to come out flippantly, but the instant flare of heat in Dawson’s gaze meant it took on an entirely different meaning.
“Erm, I mean…”
“Oh, I know what you mean, girl. Watch the sass.”
The music kicked up a notch, making conversation impossible, which was just as well because Naomi had no idea what to say.
By the time Dawson finally danced her to the edge of the floor and let her go with a courteous bow, Naomi knew one thing. It was just as well, they were going away, or she would be in serious danger of throwing herself at both of them. And that would never do…
End of sample chapter
