Sea Breeze Read Online Free PDF Page B

band is hopping, and the cocktail waitresses all look like pinup models. I can’t believe Kim and her friends weren’t interested. George asks me to dance, at Ella’s encouragement. With a smile, I join him on the dance floor and quickly find a rhythm as he twirls me around. Giggles escape me as we dance together, Ella clapping from the bar.
    As the song ends and we walk back toward the bar, a man approaches me and asks me to dance. He’s probably in his thirties, and he’s attractive, so I agree as he leads me back out onto the dance floor.
    “Ready?” He winks and flashes a panty-dropping smile.
    I nod in the affirmative, and before I know what’s happening, he sweeps me across the dance floor. I don’t know if this guy is a professional dancer or what, but I have no control over my movements whatsoever. His wrist flicks and I spin to the left, fingers pull and I’m drawn toward him before he guides me back out again with ease. My eyes bug out and a little yelp escapes me as he lifts me off the floor and to the side. Holy hell. I didn’t even know I could do that. A circle has formed around us as the band plays Benny Goodman’s “ Sing, Sing, Sing ” while we tear it up. How is this happening? My head goes back as he dips me, and the stand-up bass player comes into upside-down focus. Eric.
    I pop up, shocked. My partner and I sweep the dance floor again, but now my eyes search for Eric as he plucks the bass strings, sweat dripping down the side of his forehead. The how or why of his presence is irrelevant. The handsome man that can dance like a professional, whom probably every woman in the room is swooning over, is not who has my attention. We dance together, but every chance I get, my gaze finds Eric. The rhythm he plunks out as he plays is so sexy. He has on a black button-down, sleeves rolled up, first three buttons undone, and perspiration glistens on his chest where the tiniest bit of his ink is visible. He winks as I spin close to him. It breaks the tension between us and I smile, laughing out loud. He smirks and goes back to playing, nodding to the man on the drums.
    The song soon ends, my partner dips me, and the crowd around us erupts in applause. He accompanies me to the bar and offers to buy me a drink. I order another Manhattan, but keep Eric in my periphery. He’s watching us, and I pull my shoulders back with confidence as I realize I still have his attention.
    My dance partner is busy reveling in the praise of his admirers while I sip my drink. I keep my eyes on Eric as the intense look that claimed his features as he followed my moves on the dance floor is replaced by a playful swagger as he jams with his band mates. I’m not sure if this is for my benefit or not, but he seems larger than life back there. I can’t believe I didn’t notice him when I first arrived.
    There’s an invisible string pulled taut between us. Every time he nods at a band member, I glance toward him. Every time I cross my legs he glances at me. It’s a push and pull. I don’t know how I spent a whole day with him without pouncing. Maybe it’s the adrenaline or maybe it’s the bourbon in my glass, but the chemistry between us has ratcheted up to a whole other level. My grip on the edge of the bar is the only thing keeping me in my seat.
    When my dance partner finally turns back toward me, I drag my gaze away from Eric.
    “So... My name’s Gary. What’s your name, beautiful?”
    “Jordan. You were great out there. Are you a professional dancer?”
    “You would think so, but no.” There’s a slime quality to him that comes across as soon as he opens his mouth. I try my best not to roll my eyes while he looks down my dress.
    “So where did you learn to dance like that, then?”
    He takes an exaggerated sip of his Scotch, like he’s about to tell an epic story. I shouldn’t have asked. “Actually, I was engaged to be married once. And my fiancé, at that time, wanted to swing dance at our wedding. So we