As Billy slowly dances with me, his hands are warm, fingers spread on the small of my back. Our cheeks touch and we come closer. I can feel his smile fade as the intimacy of moving our bodies to music together takes over. My heart pounds and I hum a happy sound into his ear.
He turns his head and looks at me, gaze drifting around my features before coming to rest on my parted lips. He leans in and touches his open mouth to mine, swooping in the next second to seal our lips together, sending tingles down my everything.
Our kiss is slow at first, like a conversation. We’re getting to know one another and there isn’t any hurry. His chest is hard against my soft breasts, and I slide my fingers up his neck, ever-so-lightly caressing it.
Billy groans into my lips and deepens the kiss, seeking out my tongue and making a meal of me until I am lost in him.
Forgetting everything.
When the song changes to a new one, we stop dancing and just kiss for the entire thing. Some time later, he pulls back enough to look at me as I slowly open my eyes, feeling dizzy and happy. “Haven, what are you doing for Thanksgiving?”
I blink to his lips like I want to feel them again. Because I do. “I’m having dinner with my dad and his girlfriend. What about you?”
“No plans. My parents moved to Florida and I usually go there. But I didn’t feel like it.”
“Oh,” I frown. “I wish I didn’t have to go to my Dad’s. I barely get along with him.”
“Can I come?”
Surprised, I smile and nod. “Please save me from it.”
He frowns, “Why is it so bad?”
“You’ll see.”
He laughs under his breath and kisses me again. We make out on the dance floor for so many songs I lose count.
When the party winds down, Samantha and Zoe hug us, both saying “So nice to meet you, Haven,” before they disappear to their home.
Earlier I’d waved goodbye to Bryn and Harlow when they left with the Cocker Brothers, looking flushed and not ready for the night to end. I’m pretty sure it won’t for a long time.
There were a few women who watched my friends leave, with jealousy in their eyes, but who cares?
You can’t predict chemistry.
It’s a tricky and magical thing.
Oh wait…
“Billy?”
He looks up from an invoice he’s signing. “Hmm?”
“Why wasn’t your assistant here tonight?”
For the first time since I arrived, his eyes lose their shine. “Gabs is taking a break for the holidays.”
My chest tightens as an uninvited suspicion drifts in. Immediately I’m picturing them hooking up until it went sour. “Oh, she sick?”
“No.”
Don’t ask him.
It’s not your business.
“Did you guys sleep together.”
Dammit. I’m so weak.
Billy’s eyebrows twitch. “Hold that thought.”
I watch him walk to the crew leader, handing over the tablet and shaking his hand. Walking back to me, Billy rubs the back of his head as he stares at the cement floor. He reaches for my hand and asks, “You have your bag? Forget anything?”
“No.”
“I’m taking you home, if that sounds like fun to you.”
“You’re not going to answer me.”
“I will. Bryn drove you here, right? I asked.”
Laughing from surprise, “You sneaky bastard!” I walk outside with him, hand-in-hand.
“She and Nathan went to your place. So if you don’t want to be kept up all night, my bed will be quieter.”
“Not with me in it.”
He glances to me, eyes sparkling at my sensual tone. “Keep talking like that and I’ll throw you in the back seat and forget about the bed altogether.”
I grin and he kisses me, tossing his key fob in the air and catching it with his free hand. I’m curious about what happened with her, but he’s made me feel so special tonight, I guess it doesn’t really matter…as long as what went on between them is in the past.
I won’t get involved in heartbreak.
Especially my own, if I can see it coming.
But do we ever? Isn’t it all a gamble?
He unlocks my door and offers his hand to assist me in. I slide my hand onto his, loving its feel and smile at him. His grin flashes before he shuts the door and practically bounces to the other side. As soon as he starts the car up, he turns it off again and looks at me. “I know you saw something happen on Halloween, saw how she looked at me.” I nod and he continues. “I wasn’t aware of it, but she had a crush. We talked it out, and she gave it some thought about what to do next. Her decision was to take time off and consider if she felt she could continue knowing I don’t feel the same way about her.”
“You don’t?”
He holds my eyes. “No. I never saw her in that way. It was a complete surprise to me that she liked me.”
I smile as relief wafts through me. No, it’s more.
It’s a feeling of safety.
Because I believe him.
He’s a good guy.
There’s no doubt in my heart.
“Thank you.”
He leans over the gear shift to kiss me, murmuring against my lips, “I’ll answer any question you have.”
As he pulls out of the parking garage, I smile to myself, thinking, How about this one…can you drive faster?
CHAPTER 17
HAVEN
Billy’s apartment is really nice, a loft with a bedroom and office leading off the main room. He shows me where the bathroom is and says, “I always get the two-pack when I buy toothbrushes. I know another one is still in the open pack under my sink if you need it in the morning.”
“Mind if I use it now?”
He heads for the kitchen. “Be my guest.” Laughing, he adds, “Literally.”
I throw him a grin and hurry inside the small bathroom with a grey and black shower curtain, grey towels, black soap dish and
