Page 47 of Stay With Me

We make small talk for the rest of our meal and when the deejay starts to play music, I look up at her.

“You ready to go have a dance?”

She places her linen napkin on the table and grins. “Absolutely. But you are most definitely dancing with me for more than one dance. I’m getting my money’s worth from you tonight.”

I stand and hold my hand out to her, helping her from her chair. As I follow behind her, I keep my hand on the small of her back until we are out on the dance floor. It’s a small touch, but it feelsright.

She draws in close to me as we sway to the slow rhythm of the song playing. I think about asking her if she knows anything about Trina and Ben but decide if there’s something Trina wants me to know, she’ll tell me.

We’ve been dancing for a few songs when the brunette who was bidding against Emily in the auction approaches. I think Emily and I both see her at the same time because Emily tenses in my arms.

“Excuse me. May I cut in now?” The brunette is staring at me as she speaks, not even giving Emily the courtesy of looking at her.

Emily’s grip on me loosens, and I feel her pulling back.

Fuck no. I’m not letting her feel anything less than the most wanted woman in this room tonight.

I grip Emily tighter, bringing her in closer to me. I fix my gaze on hers not looking at the other woman.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m holding onto this gorgeous woman here as long as she’ll have me. So, until she’s done with me, my dance card is full.”

Emily’s body relaxes into mine and she’s grinning from ear to ear, her eyes gleaming.

She doesn’t tear her eyes away from mine as she says, “And I plan to keep him with me all evening. I’ve got to get my money’s worth, you know.” She winks at me.

There she is. That’s the saucy, confident woman I know.

The brunette huffs and presumably walks away, I’m not sure, because I can’t take my eyes off stunning woman in my arms.

CHAPTER19

EMILY

I glance down at my watch and note that I have twenty minutes of my lunch break left. It’s just enough time to get the last few chapters of this book read for my book club.

Christine, one of the second-grade teachers and a fellow Spicy Girl, is sitting in the chair next to me reading the same book, chuckling. What the hell she’s laughing at, I have no idea. We read steamy romance in the book club, but this book—Christine’s pick—is dark as hell.

“Hey ladies, do you mind if I join you?”

I glance up from my book to find that the deep male voice belongs to Martin, the new fifth-grade teacher at our school.

“Sure,” I smile up at him, then return to my book. Christine just grunts.

He’s quiet for a minute or two but then asks, “So, what did you think of the assembly this morning?”

The assembly was nothing out of the ordinary, and I get the hint that Martin is trying to make conversation. He’s new here so I get that.

I close the cover on my e-reader and place it on the table.

I smile at him. “It was fine. The kids enjoyed it.” I glance over at Christine, who has made no move to put her book down and socialize.

“How are you finding living in Elladine? It can be an adjustment if you’re used to a bigger city.”

Martin takes a sip of his soda before answering. He chuckles, then says, “Yes, moving from Dayton to here has definitely taken some getting used to. But I like it.”

I smile at him and reach for my sandwich, taking another bite.

“I’ve done some biking in the park system, which is amazing, and I’m joining a rowing team when the season starts, to meet some new people. Do you like outdoor activities? You should join.”

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