Page 24 of Beauty
The thought has just entered my mind when the image on my phone screen goes blurry, then dark. A second later, a thumpechoes through the speaker. The device lights up again quickly, though all I can make out are snapshots of black pants, then the floor, then what could be a wall, like I’m being run around the room. My brother shrieks, and then a gorgeous man appears and winks at me.
And hot damn, he wasn’t kidding. I could actually forgive him for the crime he’s committing with those sandals. He’s insanely hot. And the way his blue eyes dance with mirth, like he knows I think he’s gorgeous, somehow only makes him hotter.
But he’s not my type.
Once again, images of Noah, the man with the glasses and sweet disposition, infiltrate my brain. I bite my lip. I’ve never been so infatuated with seeking out the attention of another person. I’ve never had to work for it, if I’m honest. Because if a guy isn’t really in it for me, he’s still in it for my money or connections or to gain notoriety. So really, men are nevernotafter me.
I affect the most unimpressed expression and shake my head. “Change the sandals. Oh, and take your arm off my brother’s neck. I assume you play hockey with him, so I’d think you’d know that you need him breathing in order to win this season.”
“Aw, she doesn’t remember me.” He pushes out his lips in a big pout. “Tyler Warren.” His eyes dance like he knows I’ll remember that name. And I do. He played hockey with Brooks long before they went pro. “Little Langfield grew up hot,” he tells my brother as he releases him.
“She’s off-limits,” Aiden coughs. When he appears on the screen again, his face is red. “You having fun?”
I giggle. “Yes, I’m having a good time.”
“You dancing?”
My heart thumps a little at the question. “You know, I haven’t yet. But I’m about to do just that.”
With a boyish grin, he says, “Good. Have fun. I’ll see you in a few days.”
The screen goes dark, and when I get a glimpse of my reflection looking back at me, I see the big smile I’m wearing. And then I remember the promise I just made.
I’m going dancing. I’m going to have fun, whether I’m on my own or not. It’s what Aiden would do.
An hour later, I’ve found Eddy and a drink, and I’m swaying to the music from the live band on stage.
Eddy mentioned it was a white party when he asked me to come, and though I was pretty sure I hadn’t brought anything acceptable, it was like fate intervened. Because as I headed to my room after talking to Aiden, I passed by the resort boutique and discovered a white tube top and a long, white gauzy skirt in the window. The turquoise bib-style necklace I brought works perfectly with it, the combination making the white even crisper and the turquoise brighter.
After a day in the sun, my cheeks are pink and my skin is glowing, so I put the tiniest swipe of mascara on my lashes and a clear gloss on my lips, then headed out.
I didn’t bring a hair tie, since my hair is barely long enough to pull up, so within minutes of stepping onto the dance floor, it clings to the sheen of sweat collecting on my brow.
Since he’s working the party, Eddy checks on me periodically but spends most of his time bouncing around, entertaining the crowd and encouraging people to dance.
I don’t mind being on my own. The night sky, lit up by millions of stars, is beautiful, and the warm air against my skin is soothing. I push my hair out of my face and tip my head back as the band begins to play “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke. As the chorus starts, I sway my hips and close my eyes, losing myself to the beat.
Though my heart is thumping and the music is loud, the slightest tickle rolls down my spine and an awareness needles at me. It’s the sound of magic, like the strum of tiny wind chimes floating through the air, announcing his presence.
So when a warm body slides in close, I’m not the least bit surprised. He doesn’t touch me. Of course he doesn’t. He’s a gentleman. But he stays close, choosing to be in my presence, like that alone could ever be enough for us. I open my eyes and tilt my head slightly so I can look behind me. When Noah’s lips lift shyly, like he’s not quite sure how I’ll react, my heart does a little tap dance I worry is detrimental to my health.
He doesn’t say anything, and neither do I, but I step back and drape my arm around his neck, pulling him closer.
His hands find my waist, his touch tentative.
Hell no. He sought me out. He approached me. There’s no room for uncertainty anymore. I push back into him. At first, his body stiffens, but after a breath, he loosens up and tugs me flush against him, one hand now splayed over my abdomen.
With the first roll of my hips to the beat, he lets out a grunt. It’s guttural. Deep in his throat. Animalistic.
Intrigue and desire spark to life in my veins. So this sweet, respectful man does have another side.
A smile finds its way to my face as I hum to the music, my fingers tugging at the hair at his nape. He tips his head, his cheek brushing against mine, and a shiver runs through me. No sensation has ever felt so good. The slight roughness on my sun-kissed skin reminds me of the itch I really need to scratch. An itch that, surely, he can take care of far better than any of the toys I brought.
One song turns into three, and when my drink is empty and I’m a sweaty mess, I turn to him. “Can we get a drink?”
With his hand on my back, he guides me through the throng of people toward the bar. Secretly, I’m glad Eddy hasn’treturned. Or maybe he has, and he saw us dancing. Either way, I’m glad that Noah showed up.
“What happened to your friends?” I ask him.
