“It’s early yet,” Dani tried to reassure her friend even though the feel of the room was thick with tension. “Once people have tried the appetizers and had a drink, they’ll settle down to dance.”
“It’ll be fine, honey.” Alex settled a hand over Samantha’s restless fingers. “And if it’s not, it won’t be your fault. You did your part, and Dani’s right—the place looks great.”
“Well this place is like a morgue.” Cole pulled the chair out next to Dani and sat. He laid his arm across the back of her chair and leaned so close Dani inhaled the spicy scent of his cologne. “The work of your beauty shop brigade if I’m not mistaken.”
He wore another suit, this one a dark navy that was a near match for her ankle-length midnight-blue halter dress. The color of the suit did marvelous things for his blue eyes. Sitting next to each other, they were going to look like a couple.
How much of a coincidence was that? Glancing at Samantha, Dani truly wondered.
“No need to exaggerate.” She shifted in her seat and sent him a telling stare trying to telegraph the message he needed to remove his arm. She liked it too much, and talk about shouting couple.
“No. See, see.” Samantha actually brightened at Cole’s disparaging comments. “Finally, someone who understands. It’s a disaster waiting to happen, am I right?” she demanded of her brother-in-law.
Cole’s shrug embodied careless sympathy. “When you’re right, you’re right.”
Dani dug her elbow into his ribs. “You’re not helping.” Lord, forget the appetizers, the man smelled good enough to eat.
“Dani.” Samantha stopped just short of a wail. “We have to do something. You have to do something.”
“Me?” Dani protested. “It was Gram’s idea.” She blew out a breath in exasperation. She’d known this idea was going to bite her in the tush before it ran its course.
Looking for inspiration for a fast fix, she spied Cole’s brothers Brock and Ford arriving with their wives. The foursome stopped to say hello to Gram, who was acting as part of the town council welcoming committee.
“There’s no need to panic.” Dani relaxed a little. “People are still arriving. Nobody hops right out on the dance floor. It’s going to be fine.”
The four Sullivans reached the table and the men held chairs for their wives before taking seats.
“Wow, it’s dead in here tonight,” Rachel said as she set a tiny white purse on the table, a perfect accessory for the off-the-shoulder white sheath dress she wore.
“Dani!” Samantha groaned.
Dani stopped herself from banging her head on the table.
“Oops, my bad,” Rachel apologized. “Obviously a sore subject.”
“Sami’s worried nobody’s going to dance, but it’s early yet, right?” Dani held her breath, needing the reassurance almost as badly as Samantha at this point. Dani disliked seeing her friend so upset.
“Not really.” Jesse shook her head, her dark hair moving softly over the shoulders of her little black dress. “This crowd likes to dance. As soon as the music starts they’re usually on the floor.”
“All my hard work,” Samantha fretted, “and it’s going to bomb.”
“Okay, enough.” Dani turned to Cole, found him far too close but didn’t let it stop her. “I need you to agree to a debate. The election is Tuesday. We can do this. Tomorrow. My supporters will be able to enjoy themselves if they think they’re going to be heard.”
He hesitated.
“You owe me,” she told him. “For keeping your plans a secret.”
His gaze ran over her and she knew he was thinking about his campaign committee and the grief they were going to give him if he agreed. “Okay. Where?”
“Here. We’ll do it outside on the steps.”
He nodded, and for one brief moment she felt the heat of his thumb rubbing over her bare shoulder. His touch soothed her in ways she didn’t really understand but appreciated just the same.
“I’ll be here,” he said. “We’ll get J.T., too, make it fair all around.”
“Thank you.” He really was a decent guy. With his agreement, she addressed the others at the table. “Okay, there are eight of us. When the next slow song starts, we’re all going to take to the floor to start the dancing. Then after a minute, we split up and ask someone from the audience to join us. Pass the word about the debate. Tonight is for fun, tomorrow we can think about the election again.”
“Brilliant.” Samantha reached for Dani’s hand and squeezed. “It just may work.”
“It’s worth a try,” Brock agreed, and he lifted Jesse’s fingers to his mouth for a kiss. “But once you get the men and women talking again, you may lose them to something more than the dancing.”
“I don’t care,” Samantha declared. “At least they’ll go away happy. And have good memories of the dance.”
“All right, let’s go, then.” Ford stood and pulled Rachel to her feet. “I’ll talk to the band, make this happen.”
“Yeah, let’s go make friends.” Rachel pushed back her chair.
“You guys are great. Thanks.” Dani’s throat closed up at the unquestioning show of support.
“Hey, we all want to have fun—” Brock winked “—before moving on to something more.”
Heat rose in Dani’s cheeks, but she grinned through the blush. She shook her finger at him. “No disappearing until the dance is declared a success.”
Brock cocked an eyebrow.
Alex bumped his brother’s shoulder. “You’ll know when that is, because we’ll be gone.” He took Samantha’s hand and led her onto the floor as the music started.
Dani let out a slow breath. This might actually work. And she had her debate, a win-win for everyone. Well, except for Cole’s campaign committee, but they deserved any grief they suffered.
“Dani?”
She looked up. Cole stood to her right, his hand extended for hers.
“Shall we dance?”
Automatically, instinctively, she hesitated.
“It was your idea,” he reminded her.
“Oh, but…if we split up…”
“I insist.” He stole her hand, pulled her gently to her feet. “Consider it the price of my cooperation.”
“Okay.” She sighed softly as her body settled against his taller, harder one. “But only the one dance.”
He moved her easily through a turn, his arm strong around her, his hand warm and steady on her lower back. Oh, yeah, the man could dance.
And this was why her mind balked, because her body didn’t. Once in his arms she wanted to snuggle, to burrow in and absorb his heat, his strength, his sheer maleness.
In his arms the world went away and it was just him, just her, and pure sensation.
But that was a lie her body believed. In her head she knew better, knew it was never that simple. And you could never rely on anyone but yourself.
“Time to split up,” he whispered near her ear. “I’ll take my dance later.” He sent her into a controlled twirl where she ended with her back to his front.
“I—I said only one.” She struggled to get the words out.
“This isn’t a full dance. Doesn’t count.” With that he spun her out to the full span of their joined arms then bowed and released her. With an easy smile he walked to Lydia from the sheriff’s office and plied his charm.
Scrambling for composure, Dani spied J.T. and made for his table. Smiling, she asked his wife, “Do you mind if I borrow J.T. for a moment? I have some good news.”
Well into the evening, Dani sank back into her seat with a small moan of relief. She savored the moment alone, having just said goodbye to Samantha and Alex, who were taking Gram home.
Dani had been on her feet almost constantly since that first dance. The citizens of Paradise Pines had embraced her brilliant plan and the dance had taken on a life of its own.
Jesse said it, the people liked to dance. And not just with their men. They often grabbed a girlfriend, or three, and hit t
he floor. Not so much the guys, but they were happy to gather in the corner and talk sports in between bouts of being dragged to the dance floor.
Dani had danced with all the Sullivans, including Gram. The women were energetic, the men smooth, and Gram could really shake it.
The only one to keep his distance was Cole. Beast. He had threatened her with another dance and then never came to claim it so the tension grew with each new song. He’d come for her when he was ready. In the meantime she’d pretend dread, when in fact anticipation zinged through her blood.
He’d been on the dance floor almost as much as she had, with his sisters-in-law, Gram, Gram’s friends, Mrs. Day—the list went on and on. But, other than family, he danced with no one under fifty.
He was approached by more than one woman on the prowl and he smiled and chatted, but it never went further than conversation.
He may not have claimed his dance, but his eyes touched her often. She felt the weight of his gaze, the heat of it. He knew exactly who she’d danced with, had followed her moves, the sway of her hips, the lift of her arms, the swing of her breasts.
His concentrated attention made her wonder if Gram didn’t know her grandson better than Dani thought. Could Gram be right, could Cole have feelings for Dani?
For some reason the thought didn’t scare her as much tonight as it had on the night of the christening. Did that mean she liked the idea or she’d just gotten used to it?
The music slowed, softened, and the female singer stepped up to the microphone. Cole appeared at Dani’s elbow. Without a word he held out his hand and she took it.
As the singer seduced the audience, Cole pulled Dani close. There were no showy moves this time, no turns or twirls. He simply held her in his arms and moved to the sexy ballad.
And Dani surrendered. She gave up thought, worries, inhibitions. She sank into him, her head on his shoulder, right arm around his waist. Linking her fingers with his, she let him lead her into a melodic journey of sensual motion.
“You take my breath away,” he said, his lips a tickling caress on her ear. “These lights bring out the fiery highlights in your hair.”
“Hmm. I planned that with Samantha.”
He chuckled. “Just as you wore that dress because it brings out the gray in your eyes.”
“Shh. You’ll give away all my secrets.”
Being in his arms changed the way the world worked. It narrowed and heightened at the same time. Everyone disappeared but him, yet her senses imploded, making everything around her come alive.
The song, one of her favorites, eclipsed all other sound, while against her chest she felt the pounding of his heart, the rhythm a match for hers. She savored the smooth texture of his shirt under her cheek and hand, and the leashed male strength below both. The spicy scent of his aftershave mixed with the homey touch of coffee and the freshness of pine when the breeze blew just right.
He surrounded her but she had no sense of being trapped. He invigorated her, challenged her to do more, be more, risk more.
The song ended, the music moving to something more upbeat, and still he held her, his lead barely more than a sensual sway. And though she knew they received more than a few odd or speculative glances, she let him. She closed her eyes and drifted.
Finally he stepped back and said, “I’ll take you home.”
She nodded then remembered. She’d come with Samantha and Alex after dropping Faith off for a sleepover at Gram’s house. A set of teenage twins were hired to watch the whole Sullivan brood while the adults enjoyed the evening. And Brock and Jesse, who lived in San Diego, were staying over so they’d be there to help in the morning. Faith had been invited to join them.
“That’s all right, your brothers are giving me a ride to Gram’s.”
“They’re not ready to leave yet.” He nodded toward the two couples enjoying the music and each other. “You’ll be more comfortable with me.”
She chewed her bottom lip. Decisions, decisions. Be an intrusive fifth wheel or ride alone with the temptation that was Cole Sullivan. Fatigue decided her and he read the answer in her eyes.
“Grab my jacket and whatever you have. I’ll let my brothers know and meet you at the door.”
A short time later she sat in his truck cab, the weight of his jacket warm around her shoulders. Blessed silence settled between them and Dani closed her eyes, just for a moment. She felt his hand curl around hers and didn’t know anything else until the door next to her opened.
She blinked, focused on Cole’s beautiful blue eyes. “Hey.”
“Hey. You’re home.”
“Home.” She yawned. “Right. That was fast.” She swung her legs around and slid from the cab into his arms. “Hmm, so warm.”
“Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you inside.” Tucking her under his arm, he led her toward the house. The icy crispness in the air had woken Dani some what by the time they reached her front door. It wasn’t until she turned to thank him that she remembered.
“Wait. My car is at Gram’s.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll pick you up in the morning and take you over to get it. You fell asleep. I thought it best.”
Okay, that annoyed her. But it also touched her. He’d been a good sport tonight, helping to kick-start the dance, agreeing to the public debate, keeping his distance. All right, that was stretching it, but for the most part he’d behaved himself.
She opened the door then impulsively went up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for your help. I had a good time tonight.”
“It’s about to get better.” He leaned close, stopping short of her lips.
Sweet harvest peaches, what was he waiting for? A protest? For her to pull back? What? She wanted him to close the distance, to take her to wonderland. When he didn’t come to her, she moved the necessary centimeter to reach him. Which was what he wanted all along.
And it was so worth it. Her lips on his, her arm around his neck, she sank into the kiss.
Once she surrendered and he had her mouth under his, he took over, claiming her with bold thrusts of his tongue. Oh, she liked that dance. Angling her head, she showed him how much and earned a low moan from him. Or was that her?
His hands left her face to trace her curves and she arched into him, telling him with her body she longed for more of his touch. He complied, pushing his jacket from her shoulders and running his fingers along the flesh left bare by her halter neckline. Heat flared from nerve to nerve, warming her insides, melting her bones, leaving her weak in the knees.
Too much, too fast.
She pulled back a scant two inches, rested her forehead on his shoulder. His touch sent her into such turmoil. With arousal at fever pitch it was difficult to think, but instincts died hard. Desire clashed with self-preservation, putting mind and body at odds.
She should send him away but couldn’t make her arms release him. It felt too good to be held.
“How come you didn’t dance with anyone tonight?”
“You must not have been paying attention.” He feathered his fingers through her hair. “I danced a lot.”
“Yeah, with matrons and married ladies. Why didn’t you dance with anyone young, pretty and unattached?”
“Because the only woman I was interested in held me to one dance.”
“Oh.” The tension drained from her shoulders and she relaxed against him again. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. He always knew what to say to get to her. “Really?”
“Really.” He lifted her chin on a knuckle so she was forced to look into his eyes.
The raw passion caused the breath to catch in the back of her throat, but the sincerity and caring prompted her to take his hand and lead him inside.
He allowed her only a step before he pulled her to a stop. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Stay.” When he looked at her, she felt he really saw her, Dani, the woman, not the mother, businesswoman or candidate. He made her feel beautiful, desirable, alive. And she wanted more. She
wanted it all.
Above all, she wanted Cole.
And she got all of him. Once he had her assurances, he gave her no chance to change her mind, taking her deep with the next kiss, heightening her arousal with skill and patience while maneuvering her to the bedroom.
Lying in Cole’s arms, Dani savored the closeness she’d missed for so long.
He burrowed his nose against her temple. “Now that’s what I call dancing.”
She kissed his chest. “I’ll say this, you sure know how to tango.”
He rolled so they were nose-to-nose, her feet tangled around his shins. His gaze probed hers. “Are you okay?”
She smiled and lightly traced his jaw. “Better than okay.”
Everyone made him out as just a charmer, yet he was so much more than that. He was loyal and smart and altruistic. He gave far more than he took. And he cared. More than she did.
More than she could.
“No.” He kissed her, trying to bring her back to the moment. “Stay with me.”
“I want to.”
“Then do.” He linked his fingers with hers, brought them to his mouth for a little nibble. “Let’s deal with this. Tell me about him.”
She rubbed the sole of her foot over his hair-roughened calf as she gathered her thoughts. “He was the home I never had. He promised he’d always be there for me. But he lied.”
“Dani.” Cole cupped her cheek, his touch demanding she look at him. “It wasn’t his fault he was taken from you.”
“I know,” she said with stark honesty. “It was my fault.”
“No.”
“Yes. I sent him to the store. He would never have been there, but I sent him for coffee and diapers.”
“That’s just life.”
“No, you don’t understand. I didn’t think. I didn’t weigh the consequences of my decision. Didn’t consider what was more important, having coffee in the morning or my husband’s life.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Compassion lit his eyes. “And you’ve been second-guessing every decision since then.”
“Second-, third- and fourth-guessing.” It shamed her to confess it, but she’d already revealed her weakness to him once before.
Sparks Fly with Mr. Mayor Page 10