Chapter Twenty-Two #2
He looked over again, and she was sitting by herself now, the other girls all headed toward the dance floor. He hurried to her and offered his hand. She looked a little embarrassed as she took it.
"I don't know how, Reaves."
"That's okay. Neither do I. But they all usually get up when the slow songs start. So, if it's all right with you, we can just hang on to each other and shuffle."
Out on the dance floor, they did exactly that. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to his chest. Her arms looped up around his neck, and her eyes seemed to shine as she smiled at him.
"If dancing means we get to do this, then I'd like to do a lot of it."
He leaned in to press a kiss to her lips. "That sounds like a plan to me. How are you doing? Have you enjoyed tonight?"
"I have. Thank you so much. I've enjoyed every minute of it. I really love these guys."
"They're good people. And they love you too."
She pressed a little closer against him, and his arms tightened around her.
"I love them. They’re great people. But, Reaves—I really want you to know. I love you, with all my heart."
His hand came up to cup her cheek. "You already know you have all of mine."
They turned in slow, shuffling circles to the music, and the way she closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder made him want the music to just keep playing.
"I don't want tonight to end," he said.
She opened her eyes and peeked up at him, and the smile that played on her lips sent something warm rushing through him.
"I'd love to keep dancing with you all night. But only because we can't go home, and…" She bit down on her bottom lip. "I shouldn't say that, should I?"
"I'm glad you did. I'd hate for you to think I don't want you. But with everything else that's been going on, I didn't want to…"
She reached up and pressed a finger to his lips. "I know. I understand. You've been patient." She smiled. "I'm running out of patience."
He was tempted to march her straight out of there, call a cab, and head back to his apartment. But that wouldn't be right.
"Soon," he said, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
She nodded. "I've been thinking the same thing myself. I know your dad said you can't stay over—but that's only unless and until I invite you." She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. "I'm not going to invite you tonight. That wouldn't seem right." She smiled. "But like you said. Soon."
~ ~ ~
Alara closed her eyes and gave herself up to the music, and to the feel of Reaves's hard body pressed against her own.
She was a little shocked she'd been so frank with him—but then, there was no reason not to be.
Yesterday, he'd talked about them becoming a family.
If they were all together and Homer were his dog, then he'd be Zia's dog too. That's what he'd said.
She held him tighter as a shiver ran down her spine. A family. She hadn't thought she'd ever have one of those. Of course, Zia was everything—but Alara couldn't be a whole family for her, not by herself.
They stayed out there for a few songs, until the music finally shifted into something faster, too upbeat to just shuffle to. She eased back and looked up at him.
"Want to go and sit with the others?"
He smiled. "Most of them have gone."
"Oh." She looked around, surprised.
"We were dancing for a while," he explained.
She gave him a sheepish smile. "Sorry."
"Don't be. There's nowhere else I'd rather be." He held her gaze. "Well. Only one place. But I can be patient until we go there."
They made their way off the dance floor and back toward the table where everyone had been sitting. Ollie and Callie were still there, and Willow and Slade, and Jacob and Becca. But the others had gone.
"You guys want another drink?" Ollie asked.
"I'm good, thanks," said Alara.
"Yeah, not for me," said Reaves.
Slade slung his arm around Willow's shoulders. "We're headed home. Right?"
"We sure are."
"Did everyone else leave already?" Alara asked.
Willow smirked and jerked her chin toward the bar. "Delaney's still here."
"Yeah, but she doesn't need us to get her a drink," Ollie said with a smile.
"Who's that with her?" Alara asked. "Oh, that's Prince Skye."
The others all laughed.
"Prince Skye?" asked Slade. "I hadn't heard that one before."
Alara was about to start explaining, but then it hit her—all these guys spoke Zia. They all had their own Zia names. Slade was the Growly Dragon. Willow was the Warrior Princess Dragon Tamer. Ollie and Callie were the Sunshine King and Queen. She relaxed and smiled at them.
"Yeah. Skye's his last name, isn't it?"
"That's right," said Reaves.
"I think Zia met him before she even met you guys, since Elliott and Trick fly for Jacob. She likes them a lot," Alara said. "She calls Trick Sir Oak."
"I never figured that one out," said Slade. "Where did the Oak come from?"
"Just because he's tall and strong," Alara explained. "She said he feels like he'll be there forever. Like an oak tree."
"Damn, I love that kid," said Willow.
"Trick and Elliott are the other two Flying Ones," Reaves explained.
"Does she check them for wings?" asked Ollie.
Alara laughed. "I know she's checked them both a couple of times. She really wants to know what you guys are made of." She smiled at Becca. "Sorry—I don't know your mom's real name. But Zia calls her Lady Darling. She told Zia that the sky stretches the Flying Ones out. That's why you're so tall."
Becca laughed. "That sounds like my mom."
Alara glanced back over at the bar. As they watched, Delaney and Elliott both knocked back a shot. Then Delaney reached for her purse, grabbed her jacket from the back of her stool, and stalked out.
"Do you think she's okay?" Alara asked.
"She'll be fine," said Willow.
"If I know her—and I think I do," said Jacob, "she's playing with him."
"Playing?" Becca echoed.
Willow laughed. "Yeah. Like a cat plays with a mouse before it eats it."
They all laughed at that. All except Alara.
"Do you think Elliott’s okay?" She’d chatted with Elliott a few times in the week leading up to Jacob and Becca’s wedding. He was a good guy, kind, fun, and flirty on the surface, but he struck her as sad underneath.
Jacob met her gaze and smiled, as if he appreciated her concern. "He’s fine. They’re both players at the same game."
"Come on. Let's get out of here," said Ollie. "Peanut and Butter will be wondering where we are."
Alara enjoyed every moment of the hugs goodbye, and the promises to see each other soon. As they followed Ollie and Callie outside, Reaves wrapped his arm around her.
"You okay? Did you have a good time?"
She nodded happily. "The best."