Page 50 of Fire and Rain
She wore a short black dress that made the most of her curves. Oh, yes, it did. The fabric clung to her body from her breasts to the flare of her hips. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn’t stop his gaze from raking over her from her bare shoulders to that hint of luscious cleavage to those long, smooth legs.
Desire warmed his blood, scattered his thoughts, left his brain blank.
She reached the table before he’d gotten a hold of himself. “Hey.”
He swallowed, stood. “Hey.”
Trey stood, too, and pulled out a seat for her. “Good to see you, Eden.”
She sat, her hair sliding over one soft shoulder. She was wearing makeup, her eyelids shimmering light brown, her lips glossy and red. “It’s my sister Maria’s thirtieth birthday, so we’re here to celebrate.”
“Happy Birthday to her.” Sean had met her sisters at the wedding, where they’d stood with her at the altar. “You’re lookingmuchbetter. I mean, you always look great. But you look better than you did. I… uh… you were really sick and…” Sean got a sharp kick to the shin from Trey under the table, and his brain started working again. “How do you feel?”
Her lush, red lips curved in a sweet smile. “I feel much better. Thank you again for all you did to help us.”
“I hear you had scarlet fever.” Trey grimaced. “Nasty stuff.”
“Poor Maverick still has bright red cheeks. The pediatrician said that should go away in a few more days. He’s back to being his happy little self.”
“Good.” Sean did his best to act normal, the urge to touch her, kiss her, and carry her out of this place overwhelming. “Happy I could help.”
“How have you been?”
“Good. Fine. Okay. Yeah.”
Trey looked like he was trying not to laugh. “We’ve kept pretty busy. A surfer broke his leg and ended up on a tidal rockpile. We got him before he was washed out to sea. There was also a case where a fisherman caught himself in the eye with his hook.”
Eden winced. “Oh, God.”
This time it was Sean who kicked Trey under the table.
Trey’s grin vanished. “Sorry. That was probably TMI.”
On the stage, the Outriggers broke into their rendition of “Footloose,” quickly filling the dance floor. Then the server was there to take their orders, all of them half-shouting to be heard above the band.
Sean ordered a salmon burger and a beer, while Trey went for the steak.
“Nothing for me. I’m actually sitting at the table with my sisters.”
“Oh, right.” The server smiled. “I recognize you now.”
While the band went from number to number, they talked about little stuff, the conversation landing on everyone’s favorite topic—the weather.
The Outriggers ended one song to applause and then launched into their rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” which quite possibly was the very last song Sean needed to hear at the moment.
Trey was still talking about the weather. “They’re saying we’re in for a major storm system next week so—”
Eden stood, held out her hand to Sean, invitation in her eyes. “Dance with me.”
Sean had just taken a drink and almost choked. “I… uh…”
Trey kicked him again—hard this time.
Sean shot him a look then stood and took her hand, his skin seeming to ignite at the touch. He led her onto the dance floor, where only a handful of couples remained, slow dancing. “Everyone’s watching us. Your sisters are staring.”
Eden came easily into his arms, rested her palms on his shoulders. “Let them.”
Sean ought to have refused her, but he hadn’t. So, he closed his eyes, drew a breath, and gave in to the moment, savoring the soft feel of her body against his, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin. “You smell so good.”
