AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rudy throws his head back and laughs, as if it isn’t the oldest dad joke in the book. Somehow, his laugh clears the last of the discomfort from my body and I find myself giggling along with him.
Rudy’s arm curls around my shoulders, and I find that I like having it there. Surely he’s not dating other women right now? Where would he find the time? And why do I care? His breath ruffles my neck as he leans in to say, “Was everything okay with Jared?”
“Fine,” I lie. “I just found I was sick of dancing.”
He pulls away and stares at me for a moment, then nods. There’s a strange look in his eyes that he clears as soon as Agnes says something to catch his attention.
If someone had told me that Agnes and Mr. Cheswick would look at home at some fancy charity gala, I wouldn’t have believed it. But both of them expertly navigate the conversations of people that drift in and out of our little circle, and I find myself relaxing and even enjoying myself.
When Mr. Cheswick convinces Agnes to dance—after many protests from her that I think might be exaggerated, based on the grace she displays on the dance floor—Rudy smiles and takes my hand. He tugs me through the crowd of tuxedo- and gown-clad people glittering with jewels and expensive accessories, out through a glass door that leads onto the wooden pier.
“I’m wearing heels,” I warn him. “So either walk slow or risk me getting stuck between these slats.”
Instead of answering, Rudy just bends over and picks me up like a groom carrying his bride. I yelp, arms hooking around his neck, and he brings me down to the end of the pier. By the time he sets me down again—carefully, making sure my feet are solidly on the wide planks of wood—I’m laughing so hard my cheeks hurt.
Rudy’s hands linger on my waist, his thumbs sweeping soft arcs that brush the bottom of my ribs. “I like this,” he says softly, eyeing my dress. “Soft.”
“Velvet,” I explain as I let my hands rest on his arms. His tuxedo jacket is unbuttoned and I can see the strong body beneath it. “It’s my sister’s,” I add. “She’s a lot more glamorous than I am.”
“Could have fooled me.” His eyes are on mine now, and soft pressure from his hands makes me take a step closer to him. My hands slide up to his shoulders and I distract myself from the pounding in my chest by straightening his bowtie.
Waves lap at the timber pier as yachts bob up and down in the water beyond. The bay arcs around us, with lights from houses dotted on the dark landscape. It feels like we’re the only people in the world.
“Thank you for coming,” Rudy says in the soft silence. “This is the most fun I’ve had at one of these things in a long time.”
When his eyes drop to my lips, my breath hitches. The fabric of my dress doesn’t shield me from the heat of his hands as they wrap around to the small of my back. My body grows taut, the soft fabric of my gown suddenly feeling rough. The lace cups of my bra abrade my skin as Rudy tugs me closer and presses his chest to mine.
Every time I’m with Rudy, I forget myself. I forget the promises I made to myself ten—nearly eleven weeks ago. I forget what it felt like to see the father of my child walk away. I forget that the grim reaper might tap my shoulder any minute and rip all this away from me.
I forget about the secrets that made me run home to my family, because all that matters is the feel of his fingers digging into my hips and the way his eyes darken at the sight of me.
I swore off men when my last partner walked—ran—away. And look at me now. Arms around another man’s neck, feeling ten years younger and a lot healthier than I truly am.
Rudy’s arms are a warm cage that I don’t want to escape. When his hands move lower to rest on the swell of my ass, I don’t pull away. I crave it. Crave him.
His head dips, and I know he’s going to kiss me.
If we’d only had the one date, I think I would’ve been able to walk away. We could have slept together, and it would have been casual. But as Rudy’s tongue darts out to moisten his lips and my heart beats a rapid drum inside my chest, I know this kiss will ruin me.
Thankfully, when his lips are a fraction of an inch from mine, close enough to feel his breath ghosting across my cheek, a voice calls out his name.
“We’re about to do the champagne pour, Rudy!” Agnes’s voice carries to us, sharp and unyielding. I wouldn’t be surprised if people in the houses on either side of the bay can hear her too.
Rudy closes his eyes for a moment and rests his forehead against mine. Then he pulls away to answer, “We’re coming!”
Agnes grumbles something, but it’s too quiet to hear the words. I have a feeling she knew what she was interrupting, though. Part of me wants to throttle her—and the other part wants to thank her.
“To be continued,” Rudy says grimly, clamping his hand around mine.
“That sounds like a threat more than a promise,” I quip, arching a brow at him to hide how much the moment rocked me. If I’m snarky, at least it hides the tremble in my voice.
“Maybe it is,” he answers in a soft growl, that roguish grin returning to his lips. “I guess you’ll find out.”
With the heat of his words lingering, I turn to walk back to the party. By some miracle, I manage to make it all the way back without losing a heel to the pier’s wooden slats.
CHAPTER 10
Lily
