Page 4 of Accidental Wedding
Chapter 4- April
A blush rises to my cheeks and I hurriedly take another sip of my drink, hoping Shane doesn’t notice.
I can’t help but notice everything about him. Walking into the hotel’s bar, I was feeling so out of place, since everyone else is so dressed up. This sundress is one of the nicest outfits I own. Waiting tables does not exactly leave me extra money to spend on fancy clothes. If Kim had decided to stick to the plan and come with, she would have lent me one of her party dresses. Then again, I would have been incredibly uncomfortable in a tight metallic dress with a slit up the thigh. Despite the outfit, there’s no way I would’ve been comfortable enough to sit down at a bar without the fear of flashing someone. And boy am I glad I came to this bar!
Next to me, Shane looks casual, but oh so good. His jeans are practically painted on and the white shirt he’s wearing almost glows against his tan skin and dark hair. When he first called me over to him, I was a bit nervous. One look into his warm chocolate eyes and I realized that he was someone I could trust.
Looking into his eyes after he says what he did about Kim bailing on me, I glance up at his face. He’s smiling softly, but in a way that tells me he doesn’t do it often—like the muscles are out of practice. Despite his strong appearance—and he is so obviously military, what else could he be with those muscles? —there’s something about him that’s almost fragile.
“What are your plans for the night? Are you going out?” Normally I wouldn’t be so forward, but I’m on my own in a strange city. I feel comfortable with Shane—I want to get to know him more. I was planning on wandering around a little bit, seeing some sights before I turn in for the night. At least, that was the plan before I saw how crowded it was everywhere—on a weeknight, no less!
“I was planning on turning in after this drink, but I’d much rather spend some more time with you, if you’re offering.” His smooth voice has just a bit of an accent and get the sudden image of him as an old-fashioned southern gentleman. It’s an attractive image, for sure.
“I am,” I say and finish my drink. “So, what’s fun around here?”
“No clue, I’ve never been here before,” he answers. “Want to take a look around?”
The only thing I can say to that is an enthusiastic “Yes!” and I go to pay for my drink before Shane’s hand on my wrist stops me. He tells me that he’s got it covered and I nod my thanks.
The hotel bar has only gotten more crowded as we chatted, so Shane places a hand on my waist to guide me through. Even with my dress between his hand and my skin, he feels like a brand against me.
It’s less stifling outside the hotel and we make our way down the brightly lit streets in a comfortable silence. Shane’s hand still rests on my back. I have to step closer to him to avoid a crowd of bachelorettes and he wraps his arm completely around my waist. I glance up and give him a smile of approval.
We come across a casino that looks promising and head in. I’ve never gambled before, and Shane tells me that he hasn’t either but he knows how. I decided to just follow and watch until I figure out the smartest way to play. I don’t want to waste my hard earned money on careless mistakes.
As I follow Shane to a roulette table, I can’t take my eyes off his back. Not just because he’s so much taller than me and it’s so obviously in my sight line. No, I’m entranced by the play of muscles under his shirt and the way his torso tapers down to his waist. He moves with such a smooth confidence.
We reach the table and I hang back until Shane looks over his shoulder at me. “Hey, do you want me to teach you how to play?” He holds out a hand to me.
I smile and take it. With a gentle touch, Shane positions me so that I’m standing in front of him at the table. He doesn’t crowd me but leans close that I can hear him clearly. His breath tickles my hair against my ear. As we lay down chips on the table, I know that it’s going to be a fun night.