AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I gasp—as if he’s insulted me. “Rule number two,” I hiss. Is he purposely trying to break every single rule in the first thirty minutes of our arrival?
“That’s fine. I just thought you might need it to calm your nerves. I am a very good dancer. And dips are my specialty. So, get ready.”
“Oh, Benjamin Franklin,” I mutter, stealing the drink from his hands. I take one small sip and then down the rest of the glass before handing it back to him.
Kal smirks. “Benjamin Franklin?” He leaves the glass on the last round table, just before we’ve reached the dance floor.
“What?” I say, peering back at Alana, maybe she’s distracted, and we can forget this whole thing. “I’m a kindergarten teacher. Cursing isn’t exactly in my vocabulary.”
“You aren’t always a kindergarten teacher though, right? School does come to an end—every day and every year. It is summer.”
“No, Kal. School never ends. I am always, twenty-four-seven, a kindergarten teacher.”
I peer back to Kal’s mom. She waves our way, smiling and nodding—so much nodding. What is all that approval for?
We reach the middle of the floor where the bride waves to Kal. I stand there, frozen, like a statue. But Kal holds out his hand, ready to take mine. His arm gives a wide berth between the two of us. At least he’s giving me space. His opposite hand hovers at my waist, not touching me. Not yet. He’s waiting for permission.
We must look ridiculous out here. On this floor, in front of everyone, Kal lets his hands hover next to my body, like a bumblebee, undecided if it’s landing or not.
I groan. “Fine. One dance. And then we go back to our rules, Kalani Jex.”
“You realize you just downed a glass of champagne, right?” His hand folds around mine, but rather than keeping the foot of space between our torsos and dancing like a normal human being, Kal pushes on my side, guiding my body. His arm forms a loop, and he spins me beneath it before pulling me in close. His right hand presses on my upper back, keeping me in place and guiding each of my steps.
My personal bubble has popped. I am officially invading his bubble. I’m breathing coconut while drowning in musk and a pool of coffee-brown eyes. I’m held so tightly that even the scruff on Kal’s chin becomes something up close and personal. I’m able to inspect each and every beard hair on a very intimate level. I turn my head, looking out at the crowd, only to feel the pricks of those bristles whisper along my temple.
I clear my throat.
“It’s one dance,” he says before I can speak. “It’s not going to kill you, Meg.”
My heart thumps in my chest. “I know that.”
“Good. Just making sure.”
Our bodies move in sync. The warmth of Kal’s torso flush to mine. I swallow, and after a minute of silence, I speak. “Your family seems nice.”
“They are nice. They’re the best.”
“You have strong women all around you.” I peer around at the aunts, cousins, and sister I’ve met. And of course, Kal’s mom.
“I like strong women.” He peeks down at me.
I turn my head to see his expression, but he’s pulled me so close. If I turn anymore, my nose will get an up close and personal introduction to Kal’s chin. “You aren’t intimidated?”
“Why would I be? It’s how I was raised.”
“Well, you’ve never brought a girl home,” I say.
“I’ve never wanted to.”
I pull back, just a little—as much as Kal will allow—and glare. “And yet, you brought me home. I’m practically a stranger.”
“Not exactly a stranger. I’ve heard you laugh—and groan. I’ve talked to your ex. I’ve picked you up off the ground when your world literally came crashing down. I think that makes us closer than strangers.”
My cheeks burn with all he’s said, but I can’t deny any of it. “Why me, Kal?”
He adjusts his hold on my back and peers down at me, sweet mint from his warm breath mixing with the coconut that seems to follow him wherever he goes. “Why not? My mother didn’t want me showing up alone, again. And…”
“And what?”
