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Nooooooooooo. Hellfire and broomsticks.
I stop moving. Stop breathing. Stop eating, my fork mid-way up to my lips.
“Please,” I wheeze, my eye twitches. “Please tell me you’re joking right now.”
Theo smirks, bringing his cup to his lips, shaking his head. “Afraid not.”
I put the fork down on my plate, hands immediately cover my mouth.HORROR. The only thing worse than me singing in public, is me dancing in public. And so drunk I don’t remember it.
“Theo,” I whisper. “I don’t remember dancing at all.”
Theo stifles a laugh. “Cate -”
“I can’t show my face on this island ever again.”
The last time I went dancing was right after Derek broke up with me. Eve and Tommy insisted on me ditching the Cheeto stained pajamas I had been in for three days straight and go out with them. What started as us simply having dinner and drinks turned into us at a club dancing until two in the morning. And not just dancing. I was practically giving lap dances to anyone who gave me a second glance. If I danced last night just a fraction of the way I did with Eve and Tommy, then I would have to book myself a ticket back to Seattle immediately.
“Cate?” Theo brings me back. “It was just dancing.”
“No such thing as,” I use air quotes, “just dancing, with me.”
“I enjoyed watching you,” he pushes his food around his plate aimlessly with his fork.
My heart races. Partly because of what he just said. Partly because I am still thinking of me dancing.
“You did?” I force words to come out of my mouth.
Theo’s gaze meets mine. The playfulness of his eyes is gone, and desire has replaced it. Lightning zings through my body and I have this unrelenting need to feel his lips on mine.
“Yes, Catalina.” His voice comes out raspy. “I enjoyed watching you dance.”
Hell. There he goes saying my name like he’s ready to pick me up and throw me over his shoulder.
“Theo…”
“Theo! Cate!” Tess hangs over her balcony two down from us, waving like she is flagging a cab. “We were wondering why you two lovebirds weren’t at breakfast this morning!” She winks, implying as her Mama so loving refers to it as “the sex”. “Quit feeling each other up and get downstairs. Sarah’s family will be here in fifteen minutes to start -”
Sarah’s head pops out from her balcony next to Tess’s, one further down. “The Wedding Games!” She laughs, giddy as a girl on Christmas morning, because technically, it is Christmas morning.
Theo rubs the nave of his neck, turning around to get a look at them. “Mimosas this morning?”
“Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, Mai Tais.” Tess snorts with a devilish grin. “But some of us get our Christmas morning buzz differently,” her eyebrows wiggle.
“We’ll be down in a few minutes.” I assure them, hoping that will satisfy them, and it does. They disappear from their balconies. Theo slowly turns the right way in his seat and meets my gaze. “So, how competitive is your family exactly?”
Theo’s smile tells me everything I need to know.
Chapter Twelve
Sarah sends a mass text message out to everyone reminding us that we are to either wear or bring swimwear and something to play beach volleyball in. So, I try to kill two birds with one stone. I put my red bikini on and instead of my poolside coverlet, I wear my white athletic tank and some track shorts I normally wear to the gym.
Ready, I come out of the bathroom and the bedroom doors are open. I guess I didn’t close them when I came to change. I slip my feet into my sandals, grab my sunglasses, and walk into the connecting room.
Theo is dressed and ready to go. He is wearing a loose tank that shows off his sleeve of tattoos and swim trunks. I guess he is the efficient type too.
“Ready?” He pushes away from the wall he is reclining against when I nod, and he opens the door for me to walk through.
Athena and Steven are waiting at the elevator and flash us the warmest smiles I think human beings can. I can’t help but grin.
