Page 69 of Spark
“Comeanddancewithus.” Cameron, my slightly inebriated friend, bumps my shoulder with his and chugs the last of his beer. “We’re celebrating.”
"Soon, bud." I take a sip of the vodka tonic Finlay and I have been sharing between kisses before passing it back to my boyfriend. Finlay’s arm is secure around my waist and his lips are doing devilish things to my neck. Walking away from the cocoon we’ve created to join Cam and our friends on the dance floor isn’t as appealing as the promise held in Finlay’s kiss, and judging by the way Finlay’s arm tightens around me, he agrees.
“Teo. Fin. You said that an hour ago. Come on. Please?” With a slight whine in his voice, Cam lays his hands on our shoulders, but stops short of dragging us toward the crowd. Even though we’re in a club, he’s still playing host, trying to ensure everyone in our group is having a good time.
I raise my gaze to the tables by the bar and then the dancing throng. It may be late September, but the temperature seems more like July, hot and humid. Despite the heat, bodies press together, dancing close, grinding, and people are losing themselves in the flowing music. My teammates, plus Aileene, Sofia, and Eve are all out there too. "Looks like everyone is having a great time."
We’re celebrating a lot of things tonight: my birthday, our rugby team’s win at the charity tournament today, Finlay’s flipped house selling for above asking price, and Finlay and I officially moving in together. Of all the occasions, that last one is my favorite. We haven’t spent a night apart since we got back together in July, but now, with the sale of his house, all of his stuff is finally at my place, and he’s officially switched his residence to mine.
Finlay raises his head. His arm loosens enough for me to turn so we’re facing Cam as a united front. "Maybe Mateo is tired, Cameron. He put in a full shift here last night, didn’t get home until three, then spent hours running around the rugby field all afternoon. Wearecelebrating over here, just more quietly."
"You’re hiding in the corner," he accuses, but then he studies me like I’m a lab specimen. "Sorry, Teo. Maybe suggesting we come here wasn’t a great idea. I wasn’t thinking. I forgot you had to work last night."
"Don’t worry about it." I reach out and squeeze his shoulder, imbuing as much conviction in my voice as possible, because otherwise he will worry. "I’m fine. And I’m not too tired. Reducing my hours here to one night a week instead of three has really helped fix that. We’ll be out there for the next song. I promise."
"Please don’t make me go out there," Finlay whispers, his breath tickling my ear the same way it did when he woke me up with breakfast in bed this morning after I had slept in. He pampers me that way after every night I work at the club. Coming home to a man who is happy to see me and who takes such good care of me helps cure the exhaustion too. "It’s too crowded. I want to dance with you, not two hundred other people."
Laughing, I lean into him and slide my hand into the back pocket of his jeans, pulling him in closer. The thrill of having his solid warmth against me never gets old and never fails to ignite my desire. "There aren’t two hundred people on the dance floor. But if you do it—go out there—then I’ll do something for you when we get home…"
The promise in my words hangs between us for a heady moment and Finlay’s eyes glow with barely banked flames. He presses the bulge in his jeans that has been present for most of the time we’ve spent tucked away from the others into my hip. His voice flows into my ear, soft and low, all sultry heat. "Like what? Using the new toy?"
My cock hardens in response. Desire is like a thread, weaving us together. Angling my hips toward his, I bend my head and steal a kiss on his stubbled jaw before I respond. "How about three of them? All at once. All on you."
"Dude. I’m still here and can hear you guys." Cam makes a show of pressing his hands over his ears. Then he grins and lowers them. "I’m happy you’re so happy together. My matchmaking genius has worked out once again."
Finlay snorts as he bands his arm around my waist. "Once again? More like once in a blue moon. Andthatevent occurs more often than your genius works out."
Shaking his head, Cam points to a couple on the floor. "I’m already two for two this year. Kade and Easton are together, remember? Thanks to my brilliant advice."
Taking the glass back from Finlay, I set it on the table beside us. "Hey, I played a part in that one, Cam, also dispensing brilliant advice."
"So you did." He rubs his hands together like he’s just stumbled upon the best idea he’s ever had. "Maybe you and I should start a matchmaking business on the side."
Finlay rolls his eyes, but his smile is indulgent. "Or, instead, Cameron, maybe you should concentrate that matchmaking magic on yourself."
Cam’s expression sobers before his gaze flicks into the sea of bodies where our rugby buddies are dancing. The crowd is too thick for me to pinpoint its aim. When he glances at us once more, his smile is back, but lacks some of its earlier enthusiasm. "I better check on the others. See you later. On the dance floor."
"Where are you going?" I twist to follow his movements.
But Cam just waves at us and then dances his way into the crowd.
Finlay’s brows pull together as he watches his brother’s retreat. "He’s definitely interested in someone."
"Yes. And the way he glanced into the crowd… whoever it is, is here."
"I’m almost intrigued enough to follow him and find out."
"Me too. I have my suspicions, as does half of the rugby team, that it’s Aspen.” The energy between our friend with the ever changing hair color and Cam always sparks like crazy. “But if he were ready to tell us, he would have. Let’s leave him with his secret for now."
"Deal." Finlay nuzzles my cheek and the warmth of his breath fanning over my neck raises a delicious shiver. "So, getting back to your plans for me later…"
"Those will only be revealed," I pause to kiss him, "ifyou dance with me."
He regards the dance floor with something akin to dread. "Out there?"
"One song, out there, to make Cam happy. But first, how about one here? Just you and me?" I tug him closer. "What do you say?"
Finlay smiles, eyes crinkling at the corners. "I can’t say no to you."
