Cold Feet

VIOLA

He offers his arm and I link my arm through his. We wander away from the party into the gardens. There is still some time before the reception begins. I’m sure whatever he wishes to discuss will be over by then.

“It’s a lovely evening,” he says sounding as if he is observing something working exactly the way it should.

“I think it’s perfect,” I reply.

“Nearly perfect.” His remark tells me that he thinks something is missing.

“And what would make it perfect if I may ask?” I say looking up at him as we walk towards the beach.

“Getting to know you better,” he replies confidently.

I blush, thankful that it is night and there is little light for him to see how red my face is. My skin is a golden brown but despite its color, I’m sure he could see me blushing if there was enough light. Despite the cool breeze, I feel warmer than expected and I know it’s Rick’s remark and his closeness that is having this effect on me. What is wrong with you? No man has ever had this effect on me this quickly. I know I’m feeling like a little girl who has just been spoken to by her first high school crush. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I haven’t had someone in my life for a long time.

“Do you gatecrash weddings looking for women that you can charm and flirt with? Is that your strategy to find a girlfriend?” I tease.

He chuckles. “Not at all. I just happened to be invited to this wedding as a friend of a friend.”

“I had no idea that people were in the habit of inviting friends of friends to wedding receptions these days.”

Rick laughs. “Well, I’m glad I was invited otherwise I would never have met you.”

“Oh really?” I smile. “Tell me, does the hard sell really work with women for you?” I’m guessing it does. He’s so damn gorgeous. And while he’s straightforward and confident, he doesn’t come across as being arrogant.

“Is that what you call it?”

“Mm-hmm,” I reply.

admit I don’t usually do the hard sell but tonight when I saw you, I thought I probably don’t have much time. You’re very busy with coordinating the wedding and, I might add, you’re doing an absolutely stellar job of it but I’m guessing that you walking with me right now is a luxury that you can scarcely afford unless you have someone

me well,” I say glancing

his with ease. If anyone saw us, they would easily think we were a couple. I am

setting my skin on fire and I don’t think a fire extinguisher can put out the fire between my thighs. His eyes, his voice, his smile are all so perfect and are all having an effect on me that no

knew I had to get to know you better. I just felt … something. When

might get burned,” I

grateful you’re giving me this time and I don’t know how long we have so I’ll just come

“Say what?”

get to know you better. Will you give me your number?” As he asks, he releases my hand and he

me bringing his face to my level. Our noses touch. He is

briefly battle for entry before we acknowledge we both want the same thing and they start to dance with our passion. Our breathing

drop my hands to his

quickly follows and his hands settle on my ass. They squeeze my

if anyone has seen us. I am beginning to feel guilty at being gone so long. He looks around too as if he senses my concern. He looks

surprised squeal and he quickly hushes me

left. A bigger tree stands behind the trees lining the path and he sets me down behind it out of sight of the path. Pressing me against the tree, he kisses me hungrily again. His hands are all over

sudden recklessness. I don’t normally

I feel his hands as they settle between my thighs. He ends our kiss

little tart,” he whispers. “You’re

cannot… tell a lie,” I whisper with

feel the tree’s bark press

resist. I should be getting back to the reception but dammit, I can’t help myself right now. I have never been this hot for anyone in my life. There are so many elements right here that make me want this here and

he wants but he wants me. This is so passionate. We hardly know each other but we want each other. There’s nothing to make us overthink this. It’s just

out of them as I rest my hands on his back. He straightens