Page 64 of Dove
I cast myself one last look in the mirror before following her, a little nervous at just what she had in mind.
The bar was hazy when I walked in, smoke swirling and dancing in the lights across the large wooden dance floor. The place wasn’t completely packed yet, but it was getting there.
I tugged at my top self-consciously, eyes scanning the room for a familiar face.
Excited chatter came from behind me, and I took a few more steps in, letting the new arrivals skirt past me.
A part of me wanted to turn tail and run, texting Reverie to swing back around to pick me up because I changed my mind.
I couldn’t do this. This wasn’t me.
Was I really about to seduce my stepbrother?
Lord, I needed a drink.
I weaved in and out of the crowd on the edge of the dance floor as I aimed for the bar along the opposite wall, thankful Reverie hadn’t tried to talk me into something as outrageous as heels. I felt far more myself in boots, the nicer ones I saved for special occasions,notmy work pair.
I chuckled to myself as I imaged what Reverie’s face would have looked like if I’d even suggested wearing those.
When I saddled up to the bar, the bartender was busy on the other side, so I patiently—anxiously—waited for him to see me. I needed some liquid courage, damn it.
“Come here often?” a dark, silky voice purred in my ear.
I tensed, a shiver trailing down my spine like playful fingers, and I nearly gasped from the sensation that settled low in my belly.
When I turned, Josh stood behind me. My heart leapt at how delicious he looked in the dim light, the strobe briefly outlining his broad frame. As he settled beside me, resting his elbows on the bar, my eyes darted down to where he’d rolled his sleeves up to expose his strong, tan forearms. I followed a defined, raised vein until it disappeared into the fabric of his shirt, and I nearly licked my lips, remembering the gloss just in time.
He said something, but it was lost in the music and the haze of arousal I was in just from him standing next to me.
“What?” I asked, pitching my voice louder to be heard over the music.
He leaned in, and that familiar masculine, alpine scent of his had my mouth watering, eyes itching to roll back at how seductive it smelled.
“I said,” his voice dropped low, smooth like honey right in my ear, “you decided to come out after all.” He looked around. “Is Rev here, too?”
My hair swished around my shoulders as I shook my head. His eyes dropped to it, then descended lower, taking in my attire. Or lack thereof.
I fought the urge to cover myself.
Damn you, Reverie.
“You look nice,” Josh complimented mildly, but there was a tight edge to it, as if he was biting back what he really wanted to say. Like maybe he liked what he saw but didn’tapprove.
I could practically hear Reverie cheering in my mind.
“Thank you.”
Itwasa nice outfit; it just wasn’t something I was comfortable in. The shorts, although high-waisted, rode up in the back, rhinestones on the pockets glinting in the light at the curve of my ass. The halter top that draped at my breasts and exposed my cleavage was so far out of my comfort zone I’d laughed when Reverie held the scrap of it up, thinking she was joking.
I’d never worn something so revealing before, comfortable in simple T-shirts and shorts that covered me up well. I’d always been curvier and heavier than my peers. Taller, too. Busty since middle school, I’d experienced envy for the tinier waists and smaller, perkier boobs all the girls in the locker room seemed to have. It wasn’t that I was ashamed of my body, but I’d seen the types of clothes they all wore and knew they wouldn’t look the same on me, so I never even tried. Over time I became content with what I normally wore, and that was all that mattered.
But seeing myself in the reflection of Josh’s hungry eyes had me rethinking it all. Maybe Icouldpull off wearing this type of stuff.
Another point to Reverie.
“Sorry.” The bartender rushed up to us breaking our spell. “What can I get you two?”
The bar slid cool along the skin of my belly as I turned to lean against it, facing the harried man.
