LUKE

I'm nervous. Why the hell am I nervous? Well, maybe it's because Rachel's eyes are currently round like saucers as I walk towards her and her friend. Yeah, that's not helping. I haven't spoken to Rachel in years; so, I really need Justin's help here. He better not be on her shit list, and I have a bad feeling he is right now.

I clutch the back of the new girl's barstool and turn it to face me. Bright blue eyes catch mine again, and damn, this girl is even more beautiful up close. She inhales a deep breath before those bright eyes roll. She's killing me. She's still going to ignore me? I can wait all day for her to respond.

"What do you want?" she exhales with a shrug.

I'm taken back by her comment and coldness in her tone. No hello? Hi? How are you? Thanks for the drink? We went straight to the point. What do I want? I want her. Give me something. I'll take what I can get.

I glance back at Rachel. "Who's your new friend, Rach?"

"Huh?" Rachel's eyebrows sink above nose, and she points to the girl beside her. "Are you joking?"

What the hell does that mean? Why would I be joking? I clearly sent the girl a drink. I got my ass up and walked all the way over here. When did it become a crime to hit on someone at a club? Clearly, Rachel—still looking confused as hell—will not be of any help either. Much like Justin, who is staring at his shoes and trying to avoid an old friend.

"No. Not joking." I turn back to the girl with the blue eyes, grinning at her. "What's your name, Pretty Girl?"

Her eyes widen. "What did you call me?"

Fuck, did I offend her? Can you not even call a girl pretty anymore? Watching her look back to Rachel and then to me, the two look equally confused before giggles start coming out of both of them. I feel as if I'm on the wrong side of a joke.

"I'm Luke." I hold out my hand to her.

She stares at it. Am I completely off my game tonight? What is happening?

"He doesn't bite unless you ask, honey," Justin teases with a smile before slapping my back. The laughter that follows doesn't surprise me. He would find this amusing.

Rachel slaps Justin's chest with the back of her hand before pointing to her friend. "Are you guys fucking kidding me right now?"

Justin's laughter halts. We share a confused side-glance. Are we missing something here? I wait for someone to explain why I would be kidding. With the four of us standing here like idiots, I decide to give up on Rachel and Justin's help with this.

"So, about that name." My glance returns to the girl.

Her infectious laugh returns. Her head shakes no. It's the Hamptons. I'll get her name later. Not much happens here without everyone knowing.

"Fine." I keep my hand extended. "I don't need a name to dance with you."

She turns to Rachel, bursting with laughter. "This is actually happening. This encounter has made this entire night worth it. This is really happening, right?"

Rachel, now laughing to the point of tears, nods yes. Well, I made her night. I'm not claiming victory yet, but it's a step in the right direction. I've got her smiling and laughing.

"Does that mean I get your name, Pretty Girl?"

"No. It doesn't." She looks up to me, finally giving me some deserved eye contact.

The connection briefly expands my chest, followed with a feeling of deja vu. She swallows hard, breaking the eye lock—she was feeling it too. Not only does she seem familiar, but the entire conversation does. She turns her whole body back to the bar.

Shit, losing my ground already.

Once more, I grip the round stool she's sitting on and turn it to face me. This time, she's biting her lip to stop a smile.

"Dance with me." I give her a nod. "I have to know you."

"I feel as though I already do, FB." She glances back to a giggling Rachel before me.

"FB?" I question.

What the hell does that mean? She thinks I'm a fuck boy? Did I sleep with one of her friends? Is she a friend of my ex? Is that why she's thinking I'm a fuck boy? Barely out a serious relationship and on the prowl? I can't have her thinking that, or I won't get anywhere with her tonight.

"I'm not a fuck-boy. Well," my head cocks with that last statement, "at least not right now. Not with you."

She just shakes her head with a killer smile. Wow, that smile. It's tugging at my damn heartstrings right now.

"Rachel, get your friend here to dance with him so I can return to my night. He isn't going to let this go. Just look at the poor guy." Justin attempts to help by motioning to me. "He's pathetic right now. Have you ever seen Luke like this?"

I pout. I am literally pouting for this beautiful girl. She could tell me to beg at her heeled feet like a dog, and I would kneel on this dirty bar floor and do it. Rachel purses her lips and peers back to her friend.

"I'm pouting, Pretty Girl." My bottom lip extends. Her eyes light up once more with the term of endearment. I'll call her that all night, until I get her name. And I will be getting that name.

"She had a rule tonight." Rachel shakes her head no. "No Hamptons boys."

Well, that's a shit rule.

Pretty Girl puts her hand up to stop her friend. "You know what, Rach? I think I'll drop that rule for FB here."

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but the two girls lean towards each other, whispering, sending small glances in my direction and back to each other.

"But, I thought we were going to drink, dance and get la-" Rachel is again cut off by her friend's hand covering her mouth but I honestly would have loved to hear the rest of that sentence. Was she about to say laid? Please, let that be what she was about to say. I can definitely assist.

"Not tonight."

All hope lost.

"This is hilarious," she informs Rachel before turning those beautiful blues back to me. "Okay, FB. Dance with me."

My grin reappears, and I hold my hand out to her. She smiles and takes it, hopping off her barstool. She releases the hold to tug her jacket off and hands it to Rachel, leaving me missing her touch. Jesus, what is happening to me tonight? As soon as we are walking towards the dance floor, I make sure to slip my hand back into hers, interlocking my fingers with her tiny ones. She seems surprised by this action, looking up to me and then back at our hands. She doesn't release it.  Another small victory.

I tug her all the way to the DJ booth before pulling her so close that our chests are pressed against each other's. Yeah, I could get used to this.

"Do you like it fast or slow?" I ask, watching her eyes widen with the question. I can't help but laugh. "Music," I clarify.  "Fast or slow?"

Her eyes burrow into mine, making my heartbeat erratic. "Surprise me."

I give her a nod and lean up to the DJ to pick a song that I want to dance to with this girl. They won't do this for just anyone, but because I have been low-key working here, Tim obliges with my request. I go with "The Wolf" by The Spencer Lee Band. Something fast that I can still keep her close.

I lead her back to the dance floor—where I wrap my arms around her waist. Her hands find their resting place on my shoulders as the beat begins. I give her a smirk as my hips begin moving with hers. She giggles and rolls her eyes at me. That look vanishes once she sees what I can actually do on this dance floor. I grip one of her hands, surprising her by spinning her out and back into me. I take the lead and she keeps up. As the song becomes sexier, I want her as close to me as possible. Another spin that has her giggling before pulling her into my chest. My hips against hers. I'm watching her slowly give in and loosen up. When her hands move to my hips, my stomach jolts with her touch.

I can't keep my eyes off this girl, which she clearly notices. She turns her body and presses her ass into my groin. My hands clutch her hips tighter, digging my fingers into her dress. She grinds to the beat of the song, lifting her arms and wrapping them around my neck behind her. It is taking everything in me to focus on moving us while not getting an erection. I'm failing, and how could I not?

She's clearly enjoying this more than I thought she would. And, with her ass pressed against my pelvis the way it is, she obviously realizes I'm enjoying more than the dance. She's also not removing herself with the feel of my hard-on.

I place my cheek against her hair and absorb the scent of coconut shampoo. "You're killing me, Pretty Girl."

Her back vibrates against my chest with her giggles. I'm left to imagine that smile on her face right now. Slowly, I move one outstretched hand to her stomach, giving me a better grip to begin grinding myself into her. This, I love this. I can feel every breath she is taking. I can tell with one small movement of my hips how it affects her. Her dress bunches beneath my wrist, and I graze her outer thigh with my fingertips. This does me in—I have never wanted a girl so bad in my life. She's intoxicating. 

I dance with her for the better part of a few hours—with the exception of a few sodas, with neither of us wanting to be drunk—before Tim switches over to some slower music to wind the night down. I'm telepathically thanking him for slowing it down. I get to hold her and talk to her now.

I swing her around so that I can look into those eyes again. They don't disappoint.  The moment they meet mine, I'm lost in them. Ocean blue, stunning blue, so familiar. They are searching mine just as hard as mine are hers. I can't take it. My hand wraps around her waist, pulling her as close to me as I can get her, pressing my forehead against hers. 

"Luke." I feel her breath on my lips as she whispers my name. 

I've never loved hearing my name so much. I close that small space between our lips without any hesitation. Her body tenses, but I hold this kiss with everything I have, bringing my free hand up to her jaw to cradle it. After a few moments, her tension leaves. Soft lips caress mine back. One taste of her and I know I won't be satisfied with anyone else ever again. Her lips taste like cherries for Christ's sake.

As I pull away, her eyes once again begin searching mine. She quickly diverts that glance away from me and back to the bar. I turn to see Rachel and Justin, both leaning against the bar, mouths hanging open at what they just witnessed. Rachel's hand flies over her mouth to hide the shock. Justin begins to laugh with wide eyes.

I kissed a girl. So what?

I glance down at my watch, seeing it's almost seven-thirty. I know I have to be back at my place at eight-thirty for the dinner and meeting that I would love to skip tonight. Of all the nights, why now? I can't just leave this here on the dance floor of Blue. I want to know her.

I turn back to her and place my hand back to her soft cheek. "Want to get out of here?" My voice comes out breathy, panting from the circles we've done.

She nuzzles her face into my palm, closing her eyes and nodding yes. "I have to tell Rachel I'm leaving."

"I'll be at the door," I whisper and peck her lips with mine.