AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not usually. A few dances wouldn’t bother me, especially after I’ve eaten. The way Connor was pushing the pace, it was more like a gym workout than a leisurely dance. I need to watch my blood sugar.”
He searched for the tell-tale bulge at her waist. It wasn’t obvious but once he knew what he was looking for, he could see it. “Doesn’t the pump thingy adjust?”
“Not unless I set it for something as physical as a workout. I still have to monitor things around mealtimes and activity.”
“Could you dance again now?” She glanced across at the band. The music had slowed and a few couples were drifting around the floor to the “Londonderry Air,” sung by Connor and Brendan.
“Sure.”
She rose to her feet and smoothed down the skirt. He loved the way the shirt hinted at her curves, the top button undone and showing a smidgeon of soft flesh. The skirt was a wraparound thing in an ethnic pattern of brown and gold. The edges parted as she stepped onto the dance floor, giving a tantalising glimpse of pale thigh. This was going to be a long few weeks.
He pulled her close, tucking his leg between hers so he was off centre, allowing him full body contact without nudging against the pump thingy. She felt good, her body warm from the exercise, tantalising him with the aroma of heated flesh along with her usual scent. He missed this; maybe she did too, nestling into his arms like she wanted to burrow inside him. The song finished and segued into another one, a ballad Brendan crooned with his tenor voice and an Irish accent he’d picked up from his dad.
Bonnie dipped her head to rest it against his shoulder. This thing with the diabetes worried him, leaving his gut uneasy. He was used to her being the strong one, the way she’d cared for her nan in those last years while studying and holding down a job. Not that she was weak. That hadn’t changed. It was something else. She’d always plunged into things as if she were invulnerable. Like a superpower. Now there was an element of caution he wasn’t used to seeing.
He could understand caution. Especially with people. The way he’d grown up, he’d seen people at their best and their worst. Sometimes the same people. Usually the same people. When you knew how people could turn, it made it impossible to trust.
Shifting his hold, he looked down at Bonnie. “We’re a good match.”
“On the dance floor.” She pulled away slightly to look around, a frown drawing her brows together.
Xander spun her so he could see what had brought the concern into her eyes. Ryan dancing with Tamara. Nice guy but he went through women faster than a slab of beer at a buck’s night. “Don’t worry. Ryan’s not stupid. Besides, he’s not really into kids.”
He felt her tension ease and they drifted around the floor. His hand on her hip stroked down and tucked her closer. “You know I like kids, don’t you?”
She resisted his hand briefly and then gave in with a wry smile. “I’ve seen you with Colin. You’re good with him.”
“It’s what I want for the future.”
She was silent and he wondered why.
“Bonnie? You do want a family, don’t you?”
This time she put real distance between them. Her brows rose as she met his eyes. “Eventually. Definitely not tonight, Xander my lad.”
He shifted to ease the discomfort of his jeans. She couldn’t help noticing it, the way they’d been glued together. It wasn’t intentional, but his body really liked the closeness with Bonnie. It remembered how good they were together. Not only on the dance floor. “Sorry. Parts of me find you irresistible.”
“Parts? I can tell which parts. What about the rest of you?”
“They like you too.”
“The bits that made it possible for you to walk away and not contact me for four years?”
“That was my mouth. It’s stupid. You should ignore it.”
Her gaze lingered on his lips and they tingled, wanting to meet the promise in her eyes.
“Not only your mouth.”
“Okay, maybe the brain too. You know I don’t react well to conflict.”
“You run, Xander.”
“I didn’t know what to say. I’d said all those idiotic things to you.”
“An apology would have worked. Even an email saying hello would have worked.”
“You could have contacted me.”
