Free Just For Tonight by Virginia Cavanaugh Page B

lowered as one side of his sensual mouth tipped up. “Yeah. I think it turned out nice.”
    She shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she turned and looked outside at the other employees and their plus-ones conversing and dancing on the patio. Never had she been attacked by a case of nerves this bad.
    “Looks like Tammy got lucky on the weather holding.”
    Kelly smiled as she thought of her boss’ wife. “That she did.” August usually meant monsoon season in these parts, but the storms hadn’t begun as of yet. Although she had noticed a few clouds skating in as the sun had set on her way over to the party.
    “I’m glad you got to come.”
    She cast him a questioning glance before returning her attention to the other guests.
    “I overheard you say something to Gina last week about having to babysit your nephew, Alex.”
    Understanding washed through her. She’d actually made an offhanded comment to Gina, saying that she had a feeling she had to babysit this weekend, but really she was meaning more like she’d volunteer to babysit her oldest brother Kyle’s child, in hopes of skipping out on this party. But being from a small town didn’t work to her advantage. Tammy had graduated with Kyle and his wife Starla, so when she had mentioned it as an excuse, Tammy picked up the phone. It had been fun explaining to Kyle later why he had to let her off the babysitting hook he’d never put her on. Oh well, at least her brother got a laugh at her expense. “Yeah. I got lucky and Kyle didn’t need me after all.” Too bad she wasn’t sure if that plan falling through was a curse or blessing yet.
    “Is there something bothering you, Kelly?”
    She spun, focusing on Thomas. Boy was there. But it wasn’t as if she could spell it out for him. Fortifying smile in place, she responded, “Why would you think that?”
    He reached out and ran his index finger along her jaw, slowly tracing a line down her neck and across her shoulder. “You seem tense.”
    She inhaled a shaky breath as the tip of his finger ignited a fire beneath her skin. And she’d worried about trying to start a casual conversation with him. It seemed as if things were swiftly going past casual. Maybe she should have fed him alcohol sooner.
    His hand dropped and he clenched it into a fist at his side. “Sorry.”
    She swallowed and shook her head, as much as to naysay his apology as to clear her mind of the sensual fog that had descended. “No. It’s fine. You have nothing to be sorry about.” Another smile from him that made her nipples draw up tight as the low buzz of desire ran through her.
    “Would you like to dance?”
    Kelly watched, stunned, as Thomas set the beer bottle down on the countertop and held out his hand to her.
    Her pulse thumped madly. This had to be a dream. Words refused to form as she placed her hand in his. The slide of her skin against his had her clenching her thighs as she thought about what it would feel like to be pressed more fully against him. He laced his fingers with hers and led her across the tile floor and out into the night air. Tiny lights glimmered above them, strung along the awning above the patio. A gentle breeze floated around them, still holding the heat from the day as it sent the hem of her dress to dance around her knees. A shiver of delight ran along her spine as he turned her, pulling her body in close to his as he led her into a slow swaying motion.
    Her hands came to rest on his shoulders. She’d hoped for a moment like this with him, but she never really thought it would come to pass. Her gaze locked on to his, staring into the ice-blue depths of his eyes, the experience one of perfection, and she found herself wishing she could slow down time. His embrace tightened, pulling her even closer into the welcoming heat of his body. She could feel his breaths sliding along her cheek.
    The slow song played on, but Kelly couldn’t concentrate on the lyrics. Not when Thomas seemed to tug her