Free Swan (A Sexy, Fairytale Short) by Aria Cole Page B

the white dressing and brought it to my mouth.  
    “Anyone ever tell you ranch and French fries is reserved for kids?” someone whispered at my ear.  
    I spun and found the dead-sexy stranger from outside the dance studio standing right beside me. That rakish grin and sparkling ocean eyes waiting on my reply.  
    I sat stunned, unable to form a single thought.
    “Sorry to catch you off guard.” He helped himself to the barstool next to me.  
    “No, that’s okay.” What could I say to him? And why was he talking to me?
    “I saw you dancing earlier,” he commented, his eyes holding mine and twinkling with some intensity that felt as if it was creeping up my skin and plucking every sensitive nerve I had. “It was beautiful. Really graceful. I’ve never seen anyone dance like that.”  
    I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat before I parted my lips to answer.  
    “Trent! It’s good to see you. I was wondering when you’d stop by.” Hank sauntered around the corner and slapped my stranger on the back.  
    They engaged in conversation as my brain searched back over the years. “Trent?” I said without thinking, shock resonating through me. Both sets of eyes turned as if shocked that I’d finally found my voice. “Trent McAvoy?” I couldn’t offer anything more, my eyes searching the rugged contours of his face, the dark slash of eyebrows, and those eyes. How had I not recognized those eyes instantly? They were the most gorgeous blue I had ever seen, a dark blue so vivid that a girl could get swallowed up in their depths. It’d been six years, his stature broadening, his jaw more chiseled with an alluring five o’clock shadow. He looked much different, but as mesmerizing as ever.
    “I was wondering when you’d remember me, Chrissy.” When he said my name, it felt like a caress against my skin, scattering tingles all around my body.  
    “You actually recognize me?” I asked. How had he even recognized me?  
    “Well, it took me a minute, but it’s hard to forget such a beautiful girl.”  
    His words rang in my ear. Beautiful. Hard to forget . I felt the flush of warmth on my body as his words lingered in the air.
    “I’ve got to get back to slingin’ drinks, but don’t hide out.” Hank clasped Trent’s arm. “Glad you’re back in town, son. This place could use a new coach. Vandenberg’s been losing it for a while if you ask me.” The old man winked at both of us then walked away.  
    Wait, a new coach? “You’re back? I mean… you’ve moved back?” I was so out of the water with him.  
    “I went to UMSP, got my degree in sports medicine, but when Momma told me the high school was looking for a new coach, I thought it was the perfect chance to get back here.” A friendly smile swept his lips before he snagged one of the fries off my plate and shoved it in his mouth. “Hey, Hank! Can I get a beer?”  
    He was making himself at home right next to me.  
    This was not where I’d expected this night to go.  

    Two hours later, Trent and I were both more than a few sheets to the wind. Hank had kept pouring the beers, and we’d even caught half of the Twins game before my eyes started to droop.  
    “I should get going,” I said, a little silly from the beer and the conversation. I had class in the morning. Just another week to go before school was out for the summer.
    “Let me walk you home.” Trent shot up instantly, knocking over his bar stool in his struggle to put a gentlemanly hand at my elbow.  
    “Oh, you don’t—”
    “I insist. I crashed your evening. The least I can do is walk you home in thanks for spending some time with me.” He smiled, his eyes bright and eager.  
    His full lips had been distracting me all night. Every time he spoke, my eyes drifted to those lush, full pillows of flesh. I couldn’t help wondering what they would feel pressed against my own, his lips on my skin, his tongue trailing my body. All evening, the booze had been