Free Another Summer by Sue Lilley Page A

virgin.  But however much he tried to convince himself, it was Evie he couldn’t get out of his head.
    By the night of the Drydens’ party, he was edgy about seeing her again.  He realised he’d probably upset her by bundling her so quickly out of the car and that was spooking him enough without Steve winding him up.
    They were sizing up the arriving guests, out of sight on the half landing, bottles in hand, trussed up in proper shirts and jackets all belonging to Steve.  Not having enough cash left to buy his own clothes was doing nothing to help Joe’s mood.
    “Who knew mousy little Evie would scrub up like that?” Steve whistled, when she finally arrived.  “She’s got my name written all over her.”
    Joe shrugged as if he couldn’t care less.  He wasn’t going to let on he’d been scared she wouldn’t show up.  She looked stunning in her new dress, her hair piled up with bits escaping round her face.  But she was young and no match for someone with moves like Steve.
    “Tenner says I’ll be in her knickers tonight?”
    Joe wanted to warn his mate to keep his sweaty hands to himself.  But didn’t.  He stood there watching as Steve moved in for the kill.  Without giving Evie time to think about it, he slipped a glass of champagne into her hand and steered her onto the dance floor.
    As Steve pulled Evie against him, pretending to slow dance so their drinks didn’t spill, Joe fizzed with anger.  He itched to smash his fist into Steve’s cocky face.  But as Steve’s free hand kept roaming down Evie’s  back, Joe stood there doing nothing and was furious with himself.  
    He was way out of his depth.  He felt like the poor kid tagging along in the shadow of the prodigal son.  He wanted to get the hell out of there but he followed them around like a silent stalker until eventually Steve staggered off to take a leak.  Seizing his moment, Joe grabbed Evie’s hand and tried to lead her outside through the open French doors.  But she tugged her hand away.
    “What do you think you’re doing?”
    “I’m rescuing you.”
    “Who says I need rescuing?”
    He raised a questioning eyebrow and when she looked away, biting her lip, he knew he had it in the bag.
    “I want to make it up to you for the other day.  And I want to dance with you away from all this noise.”
    “I don’t know any steps.”
    “We can improvise.”
    This time, when he took her hand, she went with him.  The stone terrace was lit only by the glow from the party.  Music hummed in the background as he drew her into his arms.  The fresh smell of her caught in his throat, making his voice sound hoarse and ridiculous.
    “I knew you’d look a knockout in that dress.”
    She brushed her hands nervously down the skirt.  “I’m not that sure about it.”
    “Take my word for it.  Amazing.”
    She was so different from the women he usually went with.  She didn’t even know she had assets, never mind how to use them to get what she wanted.  He was well turned-on and he hadn’t even touched her.
    He didn’t know any steps either but the slow number meant he could hold her and shuffle as if he knew what he was doing.  Her waist was tiny beneath his hands, her breasts lush against his chest.  His heartbeat was racing.  He was going to keep her away from Steve if it killed him.
    She suddenly winced, reaching down to rub her foot.  “Can we sit down?  I’m not used to heels.”
    “There’s a summerhouse,” he remembered.  “It’s quiet there, cosy.  We can talk properly?”
    He grabbed an opened bottle of champagne from a table just inside the doors and couldn’t believe his luck when she let him hold her hand.  As they followed the path through the garden, he was desperate to kiss her but he didn’t want to miss the moment and send her scurrying back to the house.
    There was a padded swing on the summerhouse porch.  She flopped onto it, kicking off her shoes, tucking her bare feet under the frothy skirt of