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I avert my eyes back to the bar and pick up my order. “In fact, I should really get back to her now.”
“She seems okay to me.” Smirking, his gaze moves to the other side of the bar.
My eyes follow his to find Julianna talking to two good looking men. The younger one looks like he’s being flirtatious while the older one stands, arms crossed, seemingly annoyed. Julianna appears to know them, though she doesn’t exactly look thrilled to be talking to them.
“Oh lord, I should go.” I offer an apologetic smile before hurrying back across the bar.
Brenden
“Can I get a Bud Light?” I tap on the bar to get the bartender’s attention, turning to watch Lizzy walk away much sooner than I’d hoped.
I’ve missed her even more than I realized. My heart started racing the second I laid eyes on her. The desire to be close to her carried me across the room as fast as my feet would go.
The bartender places my beer on the bar next to me, and relief floods me as the two men talking to Julianna leave the girls’ table. I was ready to intervene if either so much as looked her way, but I prefer not making an even bigger ass out of myself.
It was crazy of me to follow her here. Dumb of me to approach her after watching her ignore my call. And sitting here watching her now is borderline creepy.
Laughter erupts from their table, both women overly animated. It’s obvious they’re both a little drunk. Julianna gestures toward me and Lizzy grabs ahold of her arm to bring it back down. Lizzy plants her head in her palm, shaking her head. It’s so cute when she gets embarrassed. Julianna smiles at me and I nod, tilting my beer to her. I know she told Lizzy I’m watching her, but I don’t give a damn.
My body tenses when one of the men returns to the table, my jaw clenching as I try to decipher what he’s saying. When he walks away with Julianna in tow, I don’t even hesitate before making my way over to Lizzy. The rest of the world could be crashing down around me and I wouldn’t notice. I have tunnel vision when it comes to her.
Placing my hands on the back of her chair, I lean down to get closer. “Dance with me.”
She gasps, her back straightening and cheeks flushing as she turns to look at me. The dangerous proximity of her mouth to mine causes my head to swim, my vision blurring with need. I stand upright, extending my hand to her.
“Oh…no. I don’t think I’ve had enough to drink to attempt dancing.” She laughs nervously, clutching her necklace.
“Oh, come on. Pretty please,” I pout, clasping my hands together in a begging manner.
A bright smile spreads across her face as she relaxes. “All right, fine. If you’re going to be a big baby about it.” She rolls her eyes. “But only until Julianna is done. I don’t want her to feel like I bailed on her.”
Lord, please let her dance all night long.
I nod and hold out my hand for her once again. She places her hand in mine, and I lead her to the dance floor. She places her arms around my neck, and my pulse quickens as my hands come to rest around her waist.
The time without her in my life has been hell. Being with her now feels like coming home.
“I’ve missed you,” I admit, leaning down to rest my forehead on hers.
“Me too.”
Her breathy reply causes my heart to take flight in my chest, and I reluctantly lift my head as my desire to kiss her becomes overpowering. “I know things are a little crazy with Julianna moving in and all, but I’d like to do something with you next weekend. Are you free Saturday?”
I’ve had a surprise planned for weeks now, wanting to do something special with her for Christmas. I never cared much for the holidays growing up. We didn’t even celebrate Christmas in my house. But it gives me the excuse I need to do this for her.
“I, uh…I don’t know,” she stammers. “I suppose I could see if someone is willing to sit with the kids for a little while. What did you have in mind?”
Tightening my hold on her, I lean in and whisper, “It’s a secret.”
Her body stiffens in my arms, a slight gasp passing through her lips as she closes her eyes. I pull back, admiring how damn sexy she looks. Everything that makes her the amazing creature she is. Controlling myself around her is becoming hopeless.
I move forward again, bringing my mouth closer to hers, so close to breaking my promise not to kiss her. “Lizzy?” I breathe, mere inches from her lips.
“Yes?” Her eyes are dazed as they pop open, her cheeks flushed.
She doesn’t pull back right away. Her gaze drops to my mouth as her tongue snakes out to run over her bottom lip. I groan internally, my will fraying into tiny threads. My fingertips skim along the waist of her jeans, and her eyes snap to mine. Disappointment blooms in my chest as she jumps back, but I flash her a wide smile.
“What do you say? Can I have you on Saturday?” I wink, loving the flame in her cheeks at my innuendo.
Her throat bobs the smallest fraction as she swallows, waiting for what feels like forever before finally giving me a nod.
