“GO JA-AKE! Go Ja-ake!”
Egged on by the crowd that circled him, Jake moved his body tothe beat of You Should be Dancing, matching John Travolta’s iconic boogie step-by-step. His heart pounded against his ribs, beating with something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Joy.
Reminiscent of the life he’d led before fate had taken it away. Friends, cheering, dancing, and having fun.
Tucker and Sean were having a contest on who could whistle the loudest, while Susan and Valerie chanted Jake’s name beside their husbands. Even Shirley and Eddie gave up the dance floor to watch him.
He felt alive, a part of something. All because of the woman who stood on the edge of the dance floor spinning a napkin in the air and hooting the loudest.
Jake caught Kate’s eye and beckoned with his index finger for her to join him. She sashayed over, her heels long gone, and matched his moves as if she too had stayed up nights watching the famous dance scene repeatedly until she had it perfect.
He took her hand and twirled her, wishing he could pull her close, but through the many dances they’d shared this evening, she’d kept him at arm’s length. The song switched to Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl, and he moved them out of the center of the dance floor.
Kate leaned in close, shouting over the music. “That was amazing! Where did you learn to dance like that? You weren’t even born when the movie came out.”
Memories of dancing in the family room with Arthur brought a lump to his throat. “My older brother used to watch Saturday Night Fever all the time. I guess I learned vicariously.”
“Well, you sure know how to move.”
If only he could show her exactly how well. Trying not to ogle the sway of her hips or the thrust of her breasts as she danced was bad enough, but fighting the urge to grab her and mold her against him was just plain torture.
Uptown Girl morphed into a slow, sexy ballad he didn’t recognize. Kate slanted toward him. For one incredible moment, he thought she was falling into his arms, but she righted herself. Then she tilted again.
He threw out his hands to steady her. Well, she wasn’t too sure on her feet. He’d stopped drinking after a few beers, but Kate had enjoyed several glasses of wine. “Whoa, maybe you should slow down on the Pinot Grigio.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m not drunk. I have a cramp in my side. I’m not as young as you are, ya know?”
“Yeah, yeah.” He slipped his arm around her waist. “Come on, old lady, let’s get back to the table. They’re probably doing the cake thing soon anyway.”
Kate hoisted her arm around his shoulders. Jake breathed in her sweet scent, savoring the feel of her hand rubbing his neck. Was that an unconscious gesture or was he reading too much into it?
“Oh my God, Kate!”
Her hand slid from around him as she turned to the excited shriek; then she gasped. “Lois, Vinnie! I didn’t know you were in town.”
A short, slim brunette nearly tackled Kate in a hug. Delight lit up her features. A bulky, middle-aged man stood behind them, grinning. Jake disliked him on sight. He looked like the type of guy who flipped you the bird after he just cut you off on the parkway.
“It’s been ages. We haven’t seen you since William’s—” Lois bit her lip, her eyes wide in horror.
Kate’s smile was tight. “I know.”
Vinnie snuck an arm around Kate’s shoulder. She leaned in and gave him a side-hug. “It’s good to see you again, kiddo.” He kissed her temple then turned to Jake and offered his hand. “Vince Rossi.”
“Jake Harris.”
The three chatted for a few minutes, until the conversation lagged. Jake was about to suggest they move on when Kate eyed a passing waiter carrying a tray of desserts and said, “I see chocolate! I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
“You’d better. I want to hear all about how you two met,” Lois said.
“Oh, we’re not dating. Jake’s just doing me a favor.”
The inside of his cheek was raw from biting it every time she clarified his position. Was the idea of him as her date really that repulsive?
Lois and Vince moved on, but Kate’s words still stung. “You know, I don’t think the valets have heard about my generous goodwill. If you hurry, you could probably enlighten them before dessert is served.”
He stormed off, blood pumping in his temples, leaving Kate alone on the edge of the dance floor. Luckily, their table was empty when he reached it. He needed a few minutes to calm down. To get his head straight.
This was not a date—as much as he might wish otherwise—and he needed to remember that.
He dropped his chin to his chest. God, he was such an ass. Here he was trying to convince Kate he wasn’t a child and he’d just stomped off like one.
Great. Just fucking wonderful.
He had no idea why he was so drawn to her. She thought she was too old for him, still mourning her husband, and too damn stubborn. But, man, she was also strong, kind, and sexy.
Maybe he just needed to get laid. It’d been a while. A quick romp might do him some good. He could go to a bar and pick up a willing out-of-towner. God knows Tucker would tell him to.
Yeah, right.
One night stands weren’t his style. He liked getting to know a woman before they slept together. It was more fulfilling. Less terrifying.
Jake hadn’t noticed Kate’s arrival until she pulled out the chair beside him. She sat and stared. He stared back until she said, “I’m sorry.”
As soon as her words registered, the anger left him. “I shouldn’t have marched off like that.”
“Why not? I would have.” She took great care in unfolding her napkin and placing it in her lap. “What I was doing was insulting. I just don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.”
“Why do you care?” He sat forward in his seat, resting his elbow on the table. “What difference does it make what they think?”
“You’ve never lived in a small town before, huh?” Kate smoothed out the creases of her napkin, her voice husky when she spoke. “I guess I feel if I’m still mourning William, so should they.”
Jake shifted to face her, sliding his arm around the back of her chair. He understood how she felt all too well. “We all grieve differently and at different speeds. It’s not an exact science.”
“Thank you.” Tears glistened in her eyes. One escaped and made a slow trail.
The urge to wipe the stray droplet from her cheek was so strong he had to clench his hands into fists. “For what?”
“Letting me talk about it. People seem to think it’s taboo to mention his name. They react like Lois did a few minutes ago. Like I’ll fall apart or something.”
“You never have to worry about that with me. And if you fall apart, that’s fine, too.”
Kate reached over and linked her fingers with his. “Know what?”
His heart pounded in his chest so hard he could barely speak. “What?”
“I’m glad you came with me tonight.”
Much to Jake’s dismay, the Emcee’s voice echoed through the microphone, demanding everyone’s attention. Damn it! He’d wanted to see where their talk would take them, hoping it would transform his label of boss and neighbor into something more intimate.
Any chance of continuing was shattered further when her siblings joined them. True to form, Kate regained her composure, unlinked theirhands, and shifted in her seat, away from him. No one would’ve suspected she’d been choked up a few minutes ago.
But he knew. She’d shared with him. No one else. And that warmed his insides like hot chocolate on a snowy day.
***
The ladies room appeared empty when Kate hurried inside, praying for sanctuary. A splash of cool water was usually all she needed when circumstances knocked her off her game, but she feared a gallon wouldn’t work tonight. Hell, ice couldn’t calm the flame inside her because Jake was always nearby to stoke it.
Well, his heat couldn’t reach her in here, thank God.
She turned to the sink and let the water run cold before tossing it on her face and neck. So much for her carefully applied make-up.
The stall door behind her opened. Damn, she’d thought she was alone. Her eyes met the reflection in the mirror. Susan.
Shit!
“Hey.” Her sister stepped up to the second sink, washing her hands before she yanked a paper towel from its dispenser. She hitched a pale yellow chiffon hip against the granite countertop as best a woman in her eight month of pregnancy could. “Feeling a little overheated?”
“There were a lot of people on the dance floor.” Kate snatched a tissue from the box sitting on the counter.
“Hmm.” Susan tossed the paper towel into the bin, then turned, and tugged at the waist of Kate’s gown. “It’s a little looser than when you tried it on a few weeks ago.”
She grinned, hoping to hide the sudden nervous twitch of her lip. “Can’t have you wearing it better than me, now can I?”
“Sounds like something you’d do. And I might’ve believed it too, if not for the circles under your eyes and the way you’ve fiddled with your napkin all night.”
Kate pressed the tissue against her lips. She hadn’t thought she washed off that much make-up. “It’s been a crazy week.”
“Week, huh? When was the last time you had a good night’s sleep?”
Great. Her sister was too damn astute for her own good. Oh, well, no sense playing coy. None of this was news to Susan. Kate sighed and threw the tissue in the trash. “Who remembers?”
“Doesn’t that tell you something?” Susan rubbed her swollen tummy as if doing so would conjure up words of wisdom. “Sounds like anxiety to me. You need some stress relief.”
Kate let out a snort as she searched for her lipstick. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t afford a trip to Hawaii right now.”
“There are other, less expensive ways to relieve stress.” Her sister wiggled her eyebrows.
“Good God, Susan!” In a heartbeat, her skin flamed again. “Have you no boundaries?”
“Not as your caregiver. It’s very healthy and could do wonders.”
Self-pleasure had never been something Kate practiced. Whenever she needed that kind of release, William had always been within arm’s reach. After he died, on the rare occasion she succumbed to temptation, it only left her feeling cold and lonely. Empty. “I can’t. It only reminds me how alone I am.”
“Who said anything about being alone?”
With that hanging in the air, Susan winked, grabbed the door handle, and left the bathroom.
Kate leaned against the sink, mind racing from her sister’s parting words. Sleep with another man? Insane. William had been her only lover. To have sex just for the sake of having it would somehow cheapen what they’d shared.
But could she really continue to live a celibate life? Did she want to? Besides, who could she do the deed with? In an instant, Jake popped into her head. She pushed the thought aside. Her nerves were on edge as it was. The last thing she needed right now was something else to stress over.
After applying lipstick, she left the bathroom, heading past the smoker’s lounge, hoping the reception would start winding down.
“Hey, Kate.” Vince exited the lounge, bringing with him the stale smell of cigarettes.
She grinned. “Can’t go a full night without a drag, huh?”
“Yeah, I know, I know… those things will kill me. You heading back to the party?”
“Yup, and I believe you owe me a dance.”
“You bet.”
She continued toward the music, but a firm hand around her wrist stopped her. Vince pulled her toward him. “I was hoping we could have a more private dance.”
“Pardon?” Kate stared, trying to comprehend what she’d just heard.
He moved closer, the smell of alcohol mixing with the cigarettes. Lord, how did Lois kiss this guy? Sure, he was handsome and charming, but the fumes were enough to make her eyes water.
“A dance with just the two of us. I suspect it’s been a while. William was my friend. He’d want me to help.”
Geez, had he been listening at the bathroom door? He could not be serious. “What about Lois?”
He ran a finger from her shoulder down her arm. She fought the urge to yank away. “I don’t think she’d understand. We’d have to keep it between us.”
Did he really believe women would fall for this crap? Poor Lois. “Thanks, but I couldn’t put you in that position. I’ll pass.”
She went to move around him, but he gripped her shoulders and laid his cheek against hers. “Don’t you want to remember what it feels like to have a man make love to you until you scream with pleasure?” His voice was low, an attempt at a sexy whisper.
She grimaced. Was this supposed to turn her on? She was pretty sure he didn’t mean to make her laugh. She bit her lip, hoping to stop the fit of giggles. But her humor mixed with anger when she thought about his wife.
“As tempting as that sounds, I must decline.” She pushed on his chest with both hands, but he didn’t budge. Oh great, just what she needed. A scene.
“Just one kiss. If you still say no, I’ll let it drop.”
“I believe the lady already said no,” Jake said from behind Vince, voice firm yet laidback.
Kate never wanted to hug someone so much in her life. She glanced around Vince and grinned at Jake, rolling her eyes.
Her ‘savior’ turned to him, also. “Run along, boy scout. Let the adults talk.”
With hands tucked casually in his trouser pockets, Jake strolled toward them. “Oh, I’ll go, but not without my date.”
Vince moved into Jake’s space, glaring up at him. “Didn’t you hear her before? She said you weren’t her date. From the looks of it, you can’t be more than a designated driver.”
Jake chuckled. “Be that as it may, move aside.”
“What are you going to do if I don’t, Opie? Threaten to beat me up in the parking lot?”
“No, I’m going to do what every good little boy does.” His impish grin made Kate want to jump him where he stood. “I’m going to tattle on you.” He turned away.
In a heartbeat, Vince was beside him, grabbing his arm. “Not cool, dude!” He scampered off.
“Dickhead.” Jake watched him scurry away, then turned to Kate with a one-sided smile. She swore her knight in shining armor never looked sexier. “Time to go?”
Torn between wanting to get the hell out of there and not wanting to be alone with him, Kate nodded and linked her arm with his. Butterflies attacked the lining of her stomach.
They may be leaving the party, but she had a feeling the evening was far from over.