Chapter 4 #2
An hour later, the party was in full swing. Most of the adults sat on the sidelines drinking the sodas brought from the hall. The cake had been cut and Sofia presented with her doll that symbolized her last gift from childhood.
Never had he been more proud of his niece. Her selfless attitude toward the party and focus on her grandmother had both her parents beaming with pride.
The door opened and Allison walked in bearing a small bowl filled with colorful circles and some unopened bags. “It’s my dinner break and I thought I’d contribute to the festivities with this candy. Not that any of you need more sugar.”
She set the bowl down on one of the round dining tables. Rafe joined her.
Alison hummed along to the music and moved her body. “Good times.”
Amused at her gyrations—yeah, she had rhythm—he waved at the speaker. “You like salsa?”
“Sometimes. No time for dancing, though. My schedule is usually demanding, and there’s classes to keep up my license, things like that. I thought about taking lessons so I don’t make a complete fool of myself at my little sister’s wedding.”
“How about a lesson now?” He inclined his head at the makeshift dance floor.
Allison blinked. “Ah, I don’t know. I should return to the ER. I’m on duty... My break is nearly over...”
Not waiting for another excuse, Rafe put a hand on the small of her back and guided her to the dance floor.
“Okay, begin with your feet together, and then step forward with your left foot, and then move your weight to your right foot. Like this.”
He demonstrated a few steps.
“Now, put your hand on my left shoulder,” he advised as he slid an arm around her slender waist.
Rafe took her hand. “Salsa is all about surrendering to the music, to the beat, and letting go. It’s about releasing emotions. Freedom to be yourself.”
Stiff at first, Allison made a series of jerky moves. She gave a self-conscious laugh. “See? Two left feet.”
“Relax. Listen to the music and go with it. No one here is watching.”
“Except you.”
Rafe twirled and moved his hips. “If it makes you feel better, I’m a lousy dancer compared to the rest of my family.”
She followed his lead and then smiled. “I think you’re great.”
There it was again, that little skip hop in his chest, as if his heart gave an extra beat.
The sweet floral scent of her perfume, or perhaps her shampoo, invaded his senses.
As he instructed her in swirling her hips, his naughty imagination danced to his bed and a naked Allison swirling her hips in a different manner as they swayed to the rhythm of the desire between them. ..
Someone applauded. Glancing around, he saw his family standing on the sidelines, watching them dance. A contemplative look on his mom’s face. His sister Julia scrutinizing Allison in her scrubs. A knowing grin from a few, including cousin Luis and Sofia.
The music ended. Flushed, she shook her head and retreated to a table. “Thanks for the lesson. You’re a great dancer.”
Rafe gazed down at her, the feeling in his chest intensifying.
Damn, why did he have to feel this way around her?
Allison Lexington was all wrong for him.
Yet he couldn’t deny the attraction between them.
Judging from her dilated pupils, rapid pulse and pink cheeks he knew were caused not by dancing, she felt it as well.
Intrigued, he leaned closer, captivated by her moist, red mouth. One kiss couldn’t hurt. He had to know what she tasted like, felt like beneath his mouth...
“Hey, Uncle Rafey, want some candy?”
Jerked out of the enchantment, he looked over at Sofia. His niece held the bowl Allison had brought and was ready to tear into a packet of candy.
Fun Times Candy.
The packet was identical to ones they’d found at the beauty shop this afternoon. Alarm bells rang in his mind.
Damn, damn, damn!
Rafe pulled away from Allison and raced to Sofia, grabbing the packet before she could shake free the treats inside. Rainbow colored. Not candy.
Incredulous and infuriated, he whirled and growled at Allison. “Where the hell did you get this?”
Her mouth opened and closed. “It’s candy.”
Swearing, he removed his cell, made a quick call to one of his senior agents. He waved away the curious teens from the candy dish.
“No one touch this.”
“It’s just candy,” Allison protested.
“Did you take any of this?” he demanded of Sofia.
Reddened, she shook her head. “N-no!”
“Did anyone eat this or even touch it? Damn it, answer me!”
Several teens shook their heads.
“What is wrong with you?” Allison asked. “It’s candy.”
“It’s not candy. I don’t know what your game is, but...”
Allison glared at him. “I don’t have a game. I was trying to help add to the party. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”
She stormed out of the room.
Less than half an hour later, the agent he’d phoned had arrived with the test kit. Rafe fumed as he saw the results. Three agents bagged the evidence and removed it carefully.
He addressed his family. “Sorry, guys. Party’s over.”
Rafe headed downstairs to the emergency room. Allison was at the nurses’ station, a half-eaten sandwich at her elbow as she worked on a computer. Blood stained her scrubs.
Rafe marched over to Allison and grabbed her wrist. “You’re under arrest for the possession of fentanyl.”