Free Emergence (Awakening Series Book 2) by Olivia Hayes Page B

hips, which was my problem area, and drew attention to the neckline, I loved it.
    "It's perfect. What shoes!?" I asked.
    Kelly laughed as she rummaged in the bottom of my closet for something acceptable.
    **
    When Carson rang the doorbell on Tuesday evening I was incredibly nervous. I hoped that Carly would like him, but more importantly, that he would like her.
    Racing into the living room, I threw open the door.
    "Hey, come on in," I said, opening the door wide.
    "Thanks, you look incredible," Carson said, kissing me on my cheek. "That color looks amazing with your eyes," he said, holding out a lovely bouquet of roses.
    "Thank you, they're beautiful," I said, taking them from him and planting a chaste kiss on his lips.
    His arm slid around my waist, pulling me into him. His cologne swirled through my nose, highlighted by his clean male scent. I sighed into him as he nuzzled and kissed my neck, the feel of his open mouth on me sending chill bumps across my arms.
    I stepped back, raking my eyes down his body. His tux was made for him, pants hanging just right off his hips, and fitting across his thighs and backside in just the right manner to make me feel faint. His shirt pulled across his wide shoulders, hinting at the think corded muscle beneath.
    Yum.
    "If you keep looking at me like that we'll never get to the party," he whispered.
    I snapped my mouth shut, holding my hand up to the corner to make sure I hadn't drooled.
    "Sorry, you're just so distracting!" I laughed. "Kelly?" I called back towards Carly's room. "Carson is here."
    A few moments later she came down the hall carrying Carly, who was wearing a cute little white sundress covered in cherries with lime green piping. Her chubby cheeks were rosy with her soft blonde curls bouncing at her nape.
    I went to reach out for her, but Carson beat me to it, stepping in front of me to pull Carly out of Kelly's arms.
    "Hi sweet girl," he said, holding her gently. "My name is Carson. You sure are beautiful." Carly smiled at him and it warmed my heart. "Yes, you are, just like your mama."
    Carson walked over to the couch, sitting down with Carly in his lap. "I brought you something," Carson said, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a teething toy in the shape of a football, with the Georgia Bulldogs logo on it.
    "You remembered!" I said, surprised that he recalled I was a Bulldog fan.
    He looked over at me and winked making my heart clench. "I couldn't forget."
    He held it up for Carly to see and she quickly began gnawing on it. Her other hand came up to rest on Carson's cheek for a moment and he smiled a full face smile at her. My heart beat in triple time as I watched the two of them together, overwhelmed at the sight, tears springing to my eyes.
    "I'm just going to stick these in water," I sniffed, "I'll be right back," I said, gesturing to the flowers.
    As I left the room I heard Kelly introduce herself to Carson and I mentally smacked myself for forgetting to do that.
    How rude.
    About forty five minutes later, before we left for the party, Kelly insisted on taking our picture.
    "With Carly too," she said, slipping her phone out of her pocket.
    Carson and I stood together, with Carly between us, and smiled while Kelly took a few shots.
    Afterwards we said goodbye to Kelly and Carly and left for the Westin Resort Hotel in downtown Savannah.
    My phone vibrated while we were parking and I looked down to see a text from Derek.
    Please talk to me.
    I deleted the text as Carson came around to open my door and help me down from the truck.
    "Anything important?" he asked, gesturing towards the phone.
    "Not at all," I said, slipping it into my clutch.
    The band was gearing up as we walked in the door, and Carson led me to a bar off to the side for a glass of wine. After saying hello to his parents and Carson introducing me to some old family friends we made our way onto the dance floor.
    Carson was an excellent dancer, which I wasn't expecting. He held me close and led