Page 78 of Poison and Wine
Damn. She already knew me too well. “She chose to be a peacemaker by dancing with the cheeky bastard.”
With a knowing smirk, Caterina countered, “She looks like she’s enjoying herself.”
I watched as Maeve smiled at something Rafe said. As he grinned down at her, a laugh escaped her lips, which she tried to hide by ducking her head. At my continued appraisal, the bastard’s embrace was almost reverent.
“She is stronger than you think, Callum,” Caterina said softly.
“I know.” I swallowed hard. “But she’s still my baby sister.”
Caterina took my hand in hers. “You’re such a good brother.”
I snorted. “You wouldn’t say that if you could see the murderous thoughts running through my mind involving Rafe.”
She grinned up at me. “I’m sure he’s had the same about you. Maybe even worse.”
When the song ended, Rafe whispered something in Maeve’s ear. She beamed and nodded furiously. Another song started and even though it was a more upbeat tempo, Maeve remained dancing with Rafe. Caterina squeezed my hand. “Maybe there will be another Kavanaugh and Neretti alliance in the future.”
I shook my head. “As capo, your brother’s marriage will need to be with one of the Italian families. He needs peace among them.”
Caterina frowned. “Pity. They look so good together.”
Although I hated to admit it, Caterina was right. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen such a genuine smile on Maeve’s face. I still thought Rafe was a bastard but the way he treated my sister had raised him slightly in my esteem. As his hand trailed down her back, that esteem dimmed.
Caterina must’ve noticed I tensed because she held her hand out to me. “Let’s dance.”
“I can still shoot daggers at him from the dancefloor,” I argued.
She grinned. “But at least your hands will be occupied on me and not on my brother’s neck.”
I threw my head back with a laugh before I pulled her against me. The music had picked up and we began a jig. Caterina’s expression turned from amusement to panic. “I don’t know the steps.”
“Just go with it.”
While she might’ve been clueless, she made fast work of learning the steps. “Look at you,” I called over the music.
“I feel like I’m in that dance scene in Titanic,” Caterina mused as we whirled around the dance floor.
I suppose she had a point. Of course, I wasn’t doing any fancy foot stepping like that bloke, Jack, did. I would leave that up to some of my cousins who knew all that Riverdance nonsense.
We danced and danced until my hair was soaked through, and sweat ran like salty rivers down my back. I’d long since stripped out of my jacket, pulled down my suspenders, and unbuttoned my shirt. My brothers and most of the other men had done the same. I’d danced with Mam and Maeve along with several of my other cousins and wives of my men. We’d sung Irish songs at the top of our lungs.
But I kept coming back to Caterina. I loved the way she felt in my arms. God, I couldn’t wait until the day I could feel her naked curves. To feel her silky skin beneath my fingers.
At midnight, I cut off the band. Although most of us could’ve gone on, I didn’t want any shite from the neighbor’s about the noise. While the band packed up, Caterina rested her head against my shoulder. “Tired, Kitten?”
She yawned before murmuring, “Exhausted.”
“Want me to carry you to bed?”
A drowsy grin curved on her lips as she looked up at me. “You would really do that?”
“I’d do anything for you.”
“Anything to get into my pants.”
I threw back my head with a laugh. “At the moment, you aren’t wearing any.”
“Fine. My panties.”