Page 11 of Love Unavoidable
Her voice tapers off slightly. I wonder if that’s all she plans to say. I want to tell her that she’ll meet her soul mate soon enough. But that makes me think of her with another man, which is oddly disturbing while I have her in my arms. I am definitely no one’s soul mate, but that doesn’t mean I have to put the idea of one in some girl’s mind, because who knows where the night will lead.
We’ve danced through three songs now without stopping—us dancing or her talking. I don’t even think she’s taken a breath this whole time. Her mother sounds like a real piece of work. Who stops talking to their own child just because they cancel a wedding? I don’t have kids, but I would think that’s got to be better than watching them marry someone they don’t love and being unhappy.
She snuggles in closer. And even though I thought we started with our bodies close together, I feel like the distance between us has lessened and we have slowed our momentum with each song. Now with “I’m Still in Love with You” by Al Green playing we are at something close to a grope and sway. Our movements completely belying the rapid pace of her speech.
“Uh . . .” I wait to see if she will continue. She does.
“It’s simple, really. I wanted what they have. So, I made it up. Problem with that is it ain’t real. It’s not as enjoyable as it should be. Fact is, it’s downright boring. And, boring is not the life I want for myself, you know?”
I nod, figuring if I say anything she’s just going to interrupt me anyway. Which, oddly, is not a turnoff with her. Extreme chattiness in a woman usually bothers me, but with Sadie I am not annoyed like I ordinarily would be. I think I like listening to her voice. The sound is soothing and exciting at the same time.
“Then I kind of cut my hair and dyed it brown a couple days ago. Well, not me, a professional hairdresser did. It’s really just back to my natural color. I’ve been platinum blond since the beginning of high school. Which is funny since don’t people usually go blond when theygetto California? Anyway, at the risk of making a long story even longer, I think part of me is just hoping he won’t recognize me.”
“Trust me, gorgeous, there is no forgetting you. No matter what your hair color,” I whisper in her ear, my lips ghosting over the outer lobe softly.
Her body trembles.
“Well, aren’t you a charmer.” She clears her throat. “Anyway, so, now I am here, and he’s there. . . as in right there.” She chuckles, then sighs, re-situating her arms around my neck. Her fingers trail lightly through the hair on my nape. I suppress a shiver, not just because it tickles.
My cock hardens.
“He still dancing with your mom? Err, with Eleanor?” I ask, not really caring, just wanting to soften the steel rod threatening to eject from my pants and take my mind off her hands on me. Thinking of her mom does the trick.
She lifts her head. “No, they left the dance floor a couple songs ago and sat down with my dad. I think they are all watching us though.”
I feel oddly possessive of her at the thought of her ex watching us. Which is odd on so many levels. One, I barely know this girl. Two, I am not a guy who wants to possess a girl.
Many girls? Absolutely. One girl? Not so much.
Still, my grip tightens on her lower back. She sighs and rests her cheek against the curve of my shoulder, facing in towards my neck.
“You okay?” I ask. At the same time she says, “You smell good.” We laugh.
“You first,” I say.
“I’m good, I think my buzz is wearing off though, and I’d rather that not happen until much later in the evening.”
“Well, then, your wish is my command. Let’s get you a drink.” I step away from her, reluctantly, but keep her hand in mine and lead her off the dance floor and in the direction of the bar. Purposefully going the long way around as to avoid the table where her parents and ex are sitting.
“You know that it’sas you wish, right?” she asks.
Huh?
“What is?” I ask.
“When you want to grant something a girl wants,your wish is my commandis fine, butas you wishis more universally appealing to women. It’s more romantic. Especially if your goal is to impress a lady.”
“As you wish?”
She smiles big. “Yes. It’s fromThe Princess Bride.”
I look at her quizzically with my brows furrowed.
“It’s a movie. One of the most romantic of all time. Second only to the BBC version ofPride and Prejudice. Because, Colin Firth as Mark Darcy. Sigh. And, maybe,Love Actuallyif it’s the holiday season. Oh! Or even if it’s not.”
The titles sound vaguely familiar. I know I’ve heard Lexie and her friends discuss them. And probably girls I’ve dated in the past, as well. Plus, who hasn’t heard ofPride and Prejudice. Even if you got out of high school without reading it, they’d throw it at you in college English courses, so.
“Got it,” I tell her as we reach the bar. I pull out an empty stool and sweep my arm toward it, indicating for her to sit.
