Just Perfect (9 page)

“Who, this mangy mutt? This is Buddy.” Alec ruffled the dog’s ears, bringing forth a canine grin. “What’d they do, boy, send you to fetch me?”

Buddy barked again, then grabbed Alec’s pant leg and started tugging.

“In a minute.” Alec tried to brush the dog away. Buddy tugged harder, nearly jerking Alec off his feet. “Come on, Buddy, be a pal. Can’t you see I’m making time with a beautiful woman here? You’re cramping my style.”

Christine laughed at that. She’d always wanted a dog, and what could be better than a big, friendly golden retriever?

“Jeez, all right!” Alec made a grab for the pitcher of beer, nearly sloshing its contents as Buddy kept tugging. “Apparently I have to go. But you stay put. I’ll find a way to sneak back.”

She felt instantly deflated as he left, the way she had that afternoon. She knew continuing the game of flirt and resist was asking for trouble, but hadn’t she proved she could hold her own? As long as she didn’t do something stupid, like fall for him, she could still talk to him, couldn’t she?

As she watched him take his seat, the men leaned forward in a huddle around the table, apparently demanding details as they glanced back and forth between him and her. Too bad it was a bachelor party and she couldn’t join them.

Actually, her saner half argued, it was probably a good thing she couldn’t join them. A few minutes of flirting with Alec was one thing, but sitting with him would be too much like a date, which could lead to who knew what.

Trent rose unexpectedly and cupped his hands to his mouth. “Christine!” he called over the music. Then waved for her to come over.

Uh-oh
. Now what should she do?

Going over there was a really bad idea. But if she refused, she’d embarrass Alec in front of his friends— a fate worse than death for most men. She couldn’t do that to him, could she? Even Maddy and Amy would agree with that. She had no choice, she assured herself as she slipped off the bar stool, none at all.

In order to win, first you have to stay in the game.

—
How
to
Have a Perfect Life

Yes! Alec nearly shouted aloud when Christine headed over.
Thank you, Trent
.

He rose as she neared the table. “Sorry,” he said, not the least bit sorry. “They insisted. Really. I had nothing to do with this.”

“I thought this was a bachelor party.” She smiled at the men. “I hate to intrude.”

“You’re not,” Will assured her, his speech slightly slurred. “As long as you’re not a stripper who’ll get me in trouble with Lacy, there’s no problem.” He squinted at her. “You’re not a stripper, are you?”

“Shut up, Will.” Alec scowled at him. “Does she look like a stripper?” Of course they all had to give her body serious consideration after that. “Never mind. Let’s see, introductions.” He pointed around the table, calling out names. The men all waved a greeting in return, except for Brian, who asked if she still needed lessons.

Grabbing an empty chair from a nearby table, Alec set it next to his own and held it for her. He sat facing her, his thighs straddling her chair. “Ignore them,” he told her. “They’re all idiots. I have no idea why I hang out with them.”

“Ah, come on, you know you love us, man,” Eric said with enough fake emotion to have Brian snickering. “Ouch!” Eric jumped. “Who kicked me?”

“Oh, was that your shin?” Lt. Kreiger glared at him in one of his attempts to teach the “young pups” manners.

Alec propped an elbow on the table and shielded his face from his friends so he could speak to only her. “Meeting these jokers probably isn’t going to help my cause, is it?”

“Probably not.” She smiled as she said it, though, and looked right into his eyes. “But then the cause was already lost.”

“No it wasn’t.” He resisted the urge to trace her cheek with his fingertip. “Never give up, that’s my motto. Besides, you were weakening. I could feel it.”

“Maybe.” Color rose in her cheeks as she sipped her beer. He smiled in satisfaction.

“So, Will,” Steve said, “any second thoughts about locking on the old ball and chain?”

“Absolutely none,” Will answered, grinning broadly.

“I don’t know. I’m with Alec on this one,” Brian said. “I can’t believe you’re moving to Ohio to work for your dad’s insurance agency. I wouldn’t do that for any woman.”

“But that’s just it.” Will leaned forward, serious now. “When it’s for the right woman, it’s not a sacrifice. For me, Lacy’s the right woman.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought about Judy,” Steve grumbled. “Until she busted my damn nuts in the divorce.” The minute the words left his mouth, he flashed a sheepish look at Christine. “Pardon, ma’am.”

“No problem,” she assured him, looking amused.

Considering the language that frequently came out of her mouth, Alec found Steve’s embarrassment pretty amusing too.

“Don’t listen to him,” Kreiger said in his gravelly voice. “I had thirty-six years with Mai Tien before I lost her to cancer. When it works, it’s the best thing that can happen to a man.”

“There, see?” Will toasted Kreiger with his beer. “And you’re right. When I’m with Lacy, it’s as if… everything inside me settles into place. I’ve never been so comfortable around anyone. Not even you guys. I can actually see myself growing old with her. And that’s what I want, to grow old with her. To have kids and grandkids and a mortgage on a house. I just love her like crazy and can’t wait for her to be my wife.”

“Oh man.” Eric buried his face in his hands. He looked like a skinny scarecrow with straw-colored hair sticking up in every direction. “Somebody cut him off. He’s had way too much to drink.”

“Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do at these things?” Brian grabbed the pitcher to refill his mug.

“Well then, give me another one.” Eric held his mug out. “I need it if I have to sit here and listen while he gets sappy.”

“Just you wait.” Will nodded sagely. “It’ll happen to you.”

“Not me!” Eric insisted.

“What about you, Alec?” Brian called from his end of the table. “You ever getting married?”

Alec stared at him, unable to believe he’d ask a no-win question like that in front of a woman.

“What, Peter Pan marry?” Eric laughed uproariously. “No way. That would require growing up.”

Christine arched a brow at him. “Peter Pan?”

“Stupid nickname.” He felt his face heat.

“Oh?” She looked intrigued.

“Yeah, um…” He cleared his throat, thinking maybe he shouldn’t thank Trent for inviting her over. “Lacy called me that once when she was mad at Will. You know, Peter Pan and his Lost Boys.” He gestured to his friends. “The ‘Lost Boys’ here found it so hilarious, it sort of stuck.”

“Actually”—Steve smiled—“Peter wouldn’t have to grow up to get married. He’d just have to find a Wendy who didn’t mind him spending all his money on expensive toys. A habit of which I highly approve.”

“You would.” Alec scowled at the sheriff, whose budget had to cover search and rescue. “Since it saves you from having to buy them.”

“Exactly.” Steve grinned.

Alec saw Christine’s eyebrow go up even more and knew he was sinking fast. Fortunately, the band struck up a lively tune, giving him inspiration. “I assume you know how to dance even if you don’t get out much.”

“The two-step?” She looked to the dance floor, where a crowd of regulars were spinning and scooting in a counterclockwise pattern. “I’m a little rusty.”

“I’ll refresh your memory.” He stood and held his hand out to her. “If you boys will excuse us.”

Her hand slipped into his. He pulled her to her feet, then bent near Trent’s ear. “Do me a favor and don’t let Will drink any more beer after this one. Get him a soft drink or something.”

“Got it.” Trent nodded.

Alec led Christine onto the dance floor.

“So those are ‘the guy,’ huh?” she said.

“That’s them.” He pulled her to him with one of his hands holding one of hers, the other at the small of her back. “Best buds in the world. Or so I thought until a few minutes ago.”

She laughed. “Ah, come on, it’s a guy thing, isn’t it, to give your friends a hard time when they’re trying to impress a date?”

“Are you my date?” He pulled her closer, their faces mere inches apart.

“No.” Her humor fled, but her eyes looked steadily into his.

His gaze dropped to her lips, then lifted back to her eyes as he guided her in a standard two-step. “That’s becoming your favorite word.”

“You taught it to me.”

“How about I teach you something else?” He made a tight turn that brought her body more snugly against his. One of her legs moved between his thighs. “Very good,” he said. “Are you going to be as quick a study on the dance floor as you are on the slopes?”

She shook back her hair, playfully arrogant. “That depends on how well you lead. Because if you don’t, I will.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“An annoying habit of mine. Or so I’ve been told. But I always figure, if you’re going to dance, then dance. Don’t just shuffle around the floor.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” He flashed a grin, then spun her out to arm’s length and reeled her back to his side so they both faced front. “Except the steps are a little different here than they are back home. So pay attention.” He showed her one of the patterns. She watched his boots, picking it up quickly.

“Very good,” he said: After the next set of steps, he twirled her about, passed her behind his back, then brought her back in against his chest. “You are a quick study.”

“And you know how to lead.” She smiled up at him, her face glowing.

“See, another reason you should go out with me.”

“Shut up and dance.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The night sped by, and as happened too often when she was with Alec, Christine forgot he was off-limits. They laughed their way through several songs, stopping back at the table now and then to catch their breaths and so Alec didn’t ignore his friends. Then they headed back to the dance floor.

Toward midnight, the band slid into a slow waltz.

“Finally,” Alec sighed as he pulled her close, fitting their bodies together. “I thought they’d never slow things down.”

She stiffened for a heartbeat, remembering her vow to resist this man. Although, it was only a dance. What harm would come from just dancing? She relaxed against him and rested her head on his shoulder.

Then their bodies lined up, hip to hip, as they swayed to the dreamy tune, and she remembered.
Oh yeah, that’s what harm comes from dancing
. A slight bulge pressed against her belly as he guided her across the dark dance floor. The lyrics told of deep longing and endless yearning. Their thighs brushed, and she knew exactly what the song writer meant. She should ease back, she told herself. Get a little space between them. And she would.

In a second.

“I’ve always liked this song.” His hand moved lower on her back, urging her even closer. Then that hand slipped beneath her sweater. The warmth of his palm had liquid heat pooling in her loins.

Okay, she really needed to move away.

In a second.

His fingers traced tantalizing circles, setting off tremors and making her want to arch like a cat into the caress. “You’re right about the band. They’re, mmm, very good.”