The Kiss on Castle Road by Christopher Lauren

Author:Christopher, Lauren [Christopher, Lauren]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2016-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Natalie watched Elliott and Jim being led to the dance floor and felt a little sorry for them. But only a little. It was probably good that Becky was getting Elliott to loosen up a little and maybe have some fun.

“Huh. So he really is going out with Becky,” Paige said.

“Of course. I wasn’t making it up.”

“Too bad. And too bad his buddy is married. He’s cute.”

“Leave them alone, Paige.”

The Colonel slid two martinis across the bar. “One more coming up.” He looked around. “Where’s Sherm?”

“Dancing.”

“I don’t believe it.”

They all turned toward the dance floor, where Becky was sort of dragging Elliott around to the fast swing number. He was all elbows and limbs, but he seemed to be trying.

“Well, he’s not going to win any awards now, is he?” the Colonel asked.

Natalie took a sip of her drink to hide her smile. She thought he looked kind of adorable.

“I have one more minute on the clock, then we’re going to help that boy out,” the Colonel said, shaking his head. “Doris? We have an emergency here!” He motioned her over, pointed at Elliott, then wandered to the other end of the bar to retrieve two more drinks.

A few minutes later, Doris was out there with Elliott, showing him a few basic swing steps, and Becky had swept up poor Jim. Nell had found John-O, and Paige had taken up with George. The Colonel came around the bar and pulled Natalie out, snapping her toward his ribboned chest. He was surprisingly good. He danced slowly but lithely, and always on beat. Natalie tried to match him with some basic Zumba moves she’d just learned. She was doing more of a cha-cha, but it worked with Glenn Miller.

“In the Mood” ended, and the music slowed with an Ella Fitzgerald version of “I Could Write a Book.” The couples all stepped back from each other and took deep breaths, wiping their brows.

Natalie saw Elliott breathe a sigh of relief and look up from his feet at his partner, Doris, but then Doris picked up a waltz pose with him and swung him in her direction to Ella Fitzgerald’s breathy voice. The Colonel lifted Natalie’s hand and swung her the other way. And next thing she knew, Natalie ended up with Elliott, their arms both raised in the air, gripping molecules. Doris and the Colonel sailed off smoothly together to the other side of the floor.

Elliott’s eyes widened until he finally rested his hand on Natalie’s hip and fell into step. He was only slightly better at the waltz than swing, which wasn’t saying much. But finally she stepped closer and let him move to an even slower beat, just barely rocking back and forth.

“Thank you,” he said over her shoulder. She could hear the smile in his voice.

“No problem.”

They kept a tiny distance between them, moving in a simple circle. Elliott’s raised hand felt a little moist in hers, his other warm on her hip. He smelled spicy—aftershave he must have put on for Becky—and Natalie wanted to lean closer, but she decided against it.

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