Safer With You (5 page)

“Um…no sorry. I was thinking of what’s left to do. I really don’t think there is much left to do, unless you have another surprise up your sleeve that you need help with.”

His lip turns up in that damn sexy smile. I start getting hot; I can feel my face flaming. I need to get away from him. He is a jerk; he practically missed his cousin’s entire wedding for a surprise where he looked like a freakin’ hero.

I fidget with my wine glass, thinking of an escape. Again, he touches my shoulder, which automatically warms. “Would you like to dance? I love Frank Sinatra.”

Jase holds out his hand for me to take, and without a second thought, I take it. I couldn’t resist the hopeful look in his eyes. So much for my escape.

“Umm…I’m not that good of a dancer. I might step on your feet.”

What have I done? I can’t dance, at all. Especially not to Frank Sinatra. Other couples are gliding across the floor, while I stand there staring with a dumb look on my face.

“So, how about I show you then? Come on, it will be fun.” He nods towards the other couples.

I nod back, because any attempt to speak would not work.

Jase winks in encouragement. He removes the wine glass from my hand and places it on a nearby table.

He gently wraps his hand around my waist and his other hand still holds mine, but lifts them. We start to move. I have no idea what to do, but Jase makes it so easy to follow him. Gracefully, we glide across the dance floor.

The heat that had radiated my body from his touch has now turned into joy. I feel at ease in his arms. I can’t help the large smile on my face. He makes me feel alive in this moment. His smile is just as infectious.

The song changes into a slower melody that I don’t recognize.

“So, am I taking you away from a date this evening?” he asks.

“No, no date. I’m sort of on a break from the males of the species.”

He laughs loudly, “Well, whoever this asshole is that made you hate the males of the species, I’m personally kicking his ass for messing up a chance with you.”

I can’t help the blush that spreads across my cheeks. He wants a chance,
with me
?
 

I swallow, “I’ve had enough drama to last a lifetime. So, what about you? No date this evening?”

His hand holds my hips tightly against him and he slows down our pace. Jase lowers his head to meet my eyes.

“No lady for me. My fiancé and I just broke up. Yesterday, actually.”

I remove my hand from his strong upper arm and place it over my mouth. “Oh, Jase. I’m so sorry. This must be difficult for you today.”

Oh, no, he looks surprised at my last comment.
Stupid, stupid, stupid
.

“It’s really okay; we had drifted apart and were together for all the wrong reasons.” He leans into me, brushing up against my chest. The close proximity has me a little dizzy. “Besides, everyone thought she was a real bitch, even Jenny.” His eyes are alight with amusement.

He breaks our closeness and drifts back into our dance, never missing a step. I feel relieved that he doesn’t seem affected.

“So, how is it possible that we never have met? Max and I see each other often,” Jase asks. He never misses a step and he gracefully pulls me along with him, making me seem as graceful as he is.

“I’m not sure. I guess the timing never worked out. I actually thought he was lying about your existence because I never saw you. Jenny confirmed that you existed, though.”

“We always did have fun, but got into a shit load of trouble. I wondered why in the hell he didn’t stay longer in the summers. He left two beautiful girls to hang out with me. Idiot.” He spins me around and hauls me closer to him. I smash up against his chest.

He smells intoxicating. His large hand spreads the width of my lower back and he curls our locked hands in between our chests. The closeness makes me want to stay wrapped up in his arms forever.

Until my father interrupts us, that is. “May I have a turn with my beautiful daughter?”

Daddy wears a scowl instead of a smile.

Jase releases me from his grasp and stands too far away from me.
Damn, my father.
Wait, no that’s good. I should be mad at Jase; he makes an awful best man. Jase wreaks havoc on my emotions.

“Yes, sir. I’m feeling thirsty anyway, would you like something to drink? Jase asks.

“Um…sure a white wine would be nice…” Before I can finish my sentence, my father whisks me away. I look back, feeling tipsy from my father’s harsh reaction. Jase disappears from my line of vision.

“Daddy, what was that all about?” I sound like an immature brat, but I don’t care. My aggravation takes over.

“Honey, I’m only going to say this once to you, so listen closely.”

I can’t help the shitty look I’m giving him. “Where am I going to go? Your grasp is like a vise.”

He ignores me and continues, “I know things about Jase and his family that you don’t, so do as I say, no questions asked. No more talking to or dancing with him for tonight or ever.”

The stern look on his face brings back memories from my childhood and being in trouble. I suck in a breath and gather the guts to retaliate. “Seriously, Dad, are you telling me what to do? I’m twenty seven years old.” I’ve never spoken to my father like this, but can’t stop myself.

“I wouldn’t do it under normal circumstances, but Mr. Madsyn is dangerous and someone you do not need to associate yourself with. The sooner you learn that the better. I’m barely dealing with your sister choosing to marry into that family, but at least Max isn’t involved in any questionable dealings, like Jase is.”

What the hell is he talking about? What dealings? Has my father lost his mind? I never heard a peep out of him before that he didn’t like Max or thought Jenny would be in danger from Max.

I manage to push away from my father’s grasp. “Okay, first, we were just dancing, and second, what kind of dealings? Max wouldn’t do anything to hurt Jenny.”

“I know he wouldn’t, but I’m not so sure about Jase.”

Before I can interrogate my father further, my mom appears at his side. “Honey, let’s dance.” She didn’t give him any choice and whisked him away.

My head spins. Geez, I danced with the guy; I didn’t ask him out on a date. I have no idea why my father is overreacting and what he knows that I don’t.
 

I definitely feel attracted to Jase and he make me feel things I didn’t know existed, but it doesn’t matter; I’ll never see him after tonight. But I have to admit, I want him to hold me in his arms again.

I feel silly for even thinking there might be a next time. Jase Madsyn is gorgeous, charismatic, smart, rich, and he oozes sex appeal and power. Yeah, definitely out of my league. Oh, and did I forget? A jerk.

Shaking the conversation with my dad and my erratic thoughts about Jase out of my mind, I head over to my table to rest my feet. It has been at least three songs since Jase disappeared to the crowded bar. I catch myself looking around the bar for him, when Jenny plops down next to me.

“Oh, damn, my feet are killing me. I just want to go to my hotel room and violate my new hubby.” She wiggles her eyebrow at me. “Isn’t this crazy, though? I’m Jenny Madsyn. I can’t believe Max picked me out of all the girls in the world.”

“Jase and I were just talking about that.”

Jenny smiles ruefully at me. “Oh, really? You and Jase were talking? What else were you two doing?”

“Oh, stop, we just danced and he went to get me a glass of wine, but it’s been a while now, and I don’t see him over at the bar.”

“Well, I’m glad you got to dance with the second sexiest Madsyn. He is gorgeous, isn’t he?”

I smack her on the leg. “Jenny, you are a married woman, you can’t look anymore!” I tease.

“Honey, I can look; I just can’t touch. You, on the other hand, should be touching. He is gorgeous, and did you happen to catch that he had Sienna sing for me? Oh, yeah, and he bought me a house! Imagine what he could buy you!”

I giggle. I can’t even begin to imagine being with Jase. The whole “out of my league” thing repeats in my head.
 

“As much fun as it would be, it will never happen. I’m obviously not his type. He is so out of my league, it’s not even funny, and Daddy just gave me his disapproval speech for me dancing with him.”

Jenny looks at me like I’m crazy. “You’re kidding me, right? What do you mean he’s out of your league? Nora, I wish you could see what a catch you are. Even though Luke couldn’t see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t true, and Dad’s just being overprotective.”

Max pulls up a seat beside us. “Hello, my two best ladies. Is it time for me and my wife to make our escape?” Ew…gross.
 

I love Max. He can always make me smile. Max has a shaved head because he doesn’t have much hair left, green eyes, and a smile that lights up the sky. He can be scary when he wants, but most of the time, he’s a big teddy bear.

“Nora was waiting on Jase. But in true Jase fashion, I think he disappeared on her.”

Max’s usual happy face turns to serious. “Oh, yeah, well it’s probably better.”

What? Max loves Jase. This doesn’t make any sense.

“That’s not a nice thing to say,” Jenny scolds Max.

“I just meant he isn’t boyfriend material. I don’t think Nora should waste her time with him, and besides, it looks like he’s already gone,” Max says.

Chapter Six

Nora

As I watch Jenny and Max walk off the dance floor, I try to reason with myself to stop thinking about Jase. I know he is all wrong for me. I agreed to see Luke tomorrow, possibly ready to give him a chance, and now all I am doing is wondering where Jase is.

“Sorry it took so long; I had some calls to make.” And just like that, every single reason why he is wrong for me evaporates. His closeness sends tingles down my spine. He gracefully juggles a beer bottle, a wine glass, and shows me his cell phone. Then, he sets them all on the table in front of me.

Jase pulls out the chair beside me and his long muscular legs bend to a seated position, straining the fabric of his pants. I can’t glance away—my eyes trail up his body—until his sexy smirk stares back at me.

I swallow hard, trying to take my focus away from him. “I…I was just about to start cleaning up.” I gesture towards Max and Jenny as I speak. They are dancing with absolutely no space between the two of them.

“They can’t wait to start their honeymoon,” I state the obvious.

Jase places the glass of wine in front of me. He licks his bottom lip before taking a sip from the bottle. My cheeks feel on fire as I watch him take simple drink of beer and imagine what it would feel like to have his lips on me
.

“They look happy; I’m glad they found each other, but I’m really glad that you’re blushing instead of throwing this glass of wine in my face for leaving you for so long.” His eyebrows shoot up in amusement.

I shake my head, gaining some control back. “I was about to clean up, and I just figured you left…again.” I couldn’t hide the sarcasm. Sarcasm is good, that way maybe he won’t pick up on the fact that I want to kiss him.

“Ouch…I guess you weren’t impressed with my wedding gifts, huh?” He puts down his beer bottle and turns towards me. “You’d think I could’ve scored some points with that one.”

I roll my eyes again, but I can’t convince myself to be upset with him anymore. How can I be upset with a man who looks like that and seems to be worried about gaining my approval?

I stand up and hold out my hand for him to take. “You could earn some points with me if you helped me clean.” I try to wink, and with a little too much enthusiasm, jump out of my seat.

He takes my hand and we walk past the tables. He leans over as we walk and softly speaks. “That wasn’t a very good wink; it looked like you had something in your eye.” He teases.
Jerk! Here I though he was going to say something sexy.

I slap him on his chest, make that his
hard
chest. I try peeking, but I am afraid he’ll catch me checking him out, or worse, let go of my hand.

“Hey, are you making fun of me?” I pout my lips. I can flirt too, maybe not as well.

“Absolutely.” I blush again; I can’t help it. My body reacts to every word he says.

While still holding hands, we stop in front of the gift table, and I reluctantly let go of his hand. I bend down, then lift up the table skirt to reveal hidden boxes.

“You seem to like this table. Are you planning on guarding or stealing?” he teases.

“No!” I place my hand on my chest, acting shocked at his comment.

“I plan on making you take care of the table centerpieces. They were handmade by Jenny and me, which means they are priceless. I think you’ve used the excuse,
I had a call to make,
too much tonight, cowboy.”

His eyebrows raise, “Cowboy, huh? That’s a first. No way do I look anything like a cowboy.”

If he only knew. Sure, he doesn’t have the boots or hat, but he definitely reminds me of a cowboy. Handsome, muscular, confident, sexy, and trouble. All cowboys are trouble.

“It’s just a nickname for trouble, and you, Mr. Madsyn, are a shit load of trouble.” He looks shocked at my words.