The Bet (The Bet 1)

Travis burst out laughing. “Fine, it was the cat, but in my defense it was the musical CATS, so you can’t make fun of me.”

“I suppose not,” Kacey jutted her bottom lip out as if pouting. “Do you remember the song?”

“Not gonna happen, Kace, so don’t get your hopes up. You’d have to get me very, very drunk to ever hear that song from my lips again.”

“It would be totally worth it.”

He laughed. “Maybe for you.”

“Aw, come on, one tiny little phrase. I won’t tell a soul.” Kacey put her hands on her hips as she moved closer to him. Damn, if he didn’t feel like a cat as he watched those hips sway. Truthfully, he was nearly happy enough to break out in song.

He opened his mouth to possibly sing or perhaps curse, he wasn’t sure which, when he heard the door slam.

“We’re here!” Grandma announced as she strolled into the kitchen, Mr. Casbon in tow.

The man was wearing a silly grin and a Hawaiian shirt tucked into khaki pants. All in all, the perfect man for Grandma. She did love Hawaii.

And men.

Lucky Mr. Casbon.

“So, are we having pupu first?”

Kacey’s eyes widened in horror.

Travis whispered in her ear, “She means appetizers. That’s what they call them in Hawaii.”

“And she’s suddenly Hawaiian?”

At that moment Grandma began to hula dance in front of Mr. Casbon.

Travis exhaled. “Apparently.”

Jake walked into the room, took one look at Grandma dancing, and turned around. Good to know Travis wasn’t the only one alarmed at Grandma’s behavior.

Mr. Casbon grinned and joined in.

Kacey laughed and patted Travis on the shoulder. “Should we show them how it’s done?”

Bewildered, he watched her slowly move her hips. His brain told his mouth to close. He also told himself that if he kept lusting after her he was going to be damned uncomfortable in front his grandmother.

“C’mon, Trav.” Kacey winked and lifted her arms above her head.

He pulled her close and began a rhythm that was anything but hula dancing. It was slow, fluid, sensual. His hands rubbed slowly down her sides until they fell to her hips, staying there, unable to move as he closed his eyes.

Travis didn’t care.

He was beyond caring.

So what if he was embarrassing himself? He was over it, done. He just wanted to touch her, to hold her close.

“Travis?” He opened his eyes, and Kacey was inches from his face. “I think we have a little audience.” Her blush told him he should look but he was too embarrassed. Quickly he jerked away from her then looked.

Grandma and Mr. Casbon stood watching them, each of their heads tilted at an angle. “Well, that was romantic.” Grandma winked.

“I was just…” Travis scratched the back of his head. What? Lusting? Having graphic daydreams of what it would feel like to hold Kacey naked in his arms?

“Dancing,” Kacey interjected.