“You were trying to cover up.” She points the little black stirrer from her drink at me. “You’ve got it bad.”
“Do not.” My cheeks heat. “I really don’t.”
Ellis and Henry close in on us, and I try to look anywhere but at Ellis.
Finally, I glance up, sneaking a peek at him, and he’s laughing at Henry calling him a player.
He hasn’t acted in any way for me to suspect he’s a player. Normally, you can spot those types of guys immediately. They usually check out every woman in a bar.
But, Ellis hasn’t even glanced around. His attention has remained...well, on me. Henry, on the other hand, is acting like a spectator at a museum. He can’t stop his eyes from wandering all over the place. Hm. I’m sure he’s just getting a feel for his environment. Maybe. I slurp down the rest of my second frozen drink and immediately regret it.
“Brain freeze,” I say, pressing a finger to my temple.
Henry wraps an arm around me, kissing my forehead. “Isn’t she just adorable?” he says to Ellis.
Ellis has a beer halfway to his mouth and his green eyes sear into me, melting my brain freeze. “Yeah, she is,” he drawls out, slowly. “Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth.”
Like some voodoo priest, he has now inserted thoughts of his kiss into my brain.
“Let’s dance,” Lola interrupts our moment, saving me from his hot stare. She grabs my hand and together we mingle into the crowd on the outskirts of the dance floor.
I close my eyes, letting the music distract me.
“He can’t stop watching you,” Lola says into my ear.
My eyes pop open and find Ellis’ in an instant. I turn, so I won’t be forced to look at him as I sway my hips. “I need to tell Henry to find another best man.”
Lola laughs. “You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can.”
“You’re just gonna have to suck it up and deal with him.”
“He lives in Atlanta. He’s not in town for very long.”
Lola shakes her body to the beat. “See, you’ll be fine. Just don’t be alone with him. Ever.”
I stop dancing. “I can be alone with him. I’m not that crazy that I can’t even be alone with the man.”
“Well, better not to chance it.”
“He’s Henry’s friend. Nothing’s going to happen between us.” And I hope I’m right. Because my mind is all over the place.
I love Henry, don’t I?
The engagement happened so fast, and I don’t think I ever took the time to process exactly what being married actually means.
But, I do love him. Don’t I?
He’s very…work oriented. That’s a great quality. And he doesn’t just randomly kiss people in parking lots making them blush. But he also doesn’t make me feel hot like Ellis is right now. It’s like scorching hot. I’ve heard about someone lighting you on fire, but damn. Feels like my skin is melting. This is so bad.
Before I can process what this heat means, he’s stalking toward me as Henry chats up the waitress next to them. Actually, it’s more of a run. And then, I’m swept into his arms.
“Fuck,” he says. “You’re on fire.”
He doesn’t mean figuratively. I’m literally on fire. They should have a warning sign by the tiki torches for buzzed people like me.
Lola gasps and tosses her drink on my skirt just before Ellis’ hands fondle my thighs putting out the small flame but creating a raging wildfire within me. I’ve really got to stop with these cliché comparisons.
His warm fingers graze against my skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps. “You’re ok,” he assures me, rising from his crouched position. “Just a little charred.”
He steps back and grazes his teeth over his bottom lip before abruptly turning and crossing to Henry who is oblivious to the fact his fiancée was nearly just roasted.
As I watch Ellis walk away, I realize I’m not ok at all.
SEVEN
Ellis
Never trust a flame...
I should leave. Seriously. I should. When Henry texted me earlier about meeting up, I didn’t think that meant with him and...her.
The same her I can’t stop thinking about.
But, I need to. Because she’s the most off-limits person in the universe for me right now. It’s obvious tonight’s a set-up with her blonde friend.
And Lola seems nice. But, there’s just something about Kiki. I can’t quite put my finger on it.
“Thanks for coming out tonight, man,” Henry says, clapping his hand on my shoulder. “And for saving my bride-to-be.”
I smile. “Don’t mention it.” I feel like telling him next time maybe a head’s up if he plans on bringing the fiancée.
But, I don’t want to be one of those guys. I need to squash whatever feeling this is I’m having for Kiki into the ground. And get my head in the game.
“Kiki’s great,” he nods in her direction, “but she has me doing all this wedding stuff that I just don’t have time for.”