Charlee felt her face flush, lowering her voice as they reached Walter and the others, almost afraid to say it out loud. “He said I have beautiful eyes.”
Seeing the instant excitement in Drew’s face was enough. Charlee wouldn’t even attempt to explain what that moment felt like.
“I knew I’d prove my point tonight. There’s no denying he’s feeling something for you. And by the way,” Drew reached over and squeezed Charlee’s arm softly, “I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but you did really well when you were talking to him earlier. I know you were nervous about facing him so soon after yesterday, and when he brought that up, I thought for sure you were going to choke, but you handled it beautifully.”
Charlee couldn’t help rolling her eyes now. “That was the wine, I’m sure. I choked when we were dancing. I could barely breathe straight, let alone talk.”
Drew waved her hand at Charlee. “I wouldn’t worry about it. He seemed so lost in your little dance I’m sure he didn’t even notice.” She smiled wickedly. “I mean, geez, neither of you noticed the music had stopped.” Drew laughed again. “That’s when Roger said he was out of here.”
“What about Maurice?” Charlee asked, still feeling a little warm in the face that Drew wasn’t the only one who noticed the room and everyone in it had disappeared for Charlee when she’d been in Hector’s arms. And unbelievably her heart had sped up even more ever since hearing Drew say there was no denying Hector was feeling something for her.
“Oh, he’ll be back. He had to go help the D.J. out with the giveaways.” Drew smiled sheepishly. “I told him we’d be leaving early, and he said he wanted to walk me out to my car. I think he wants to kiss me goodnight. He almost did on the dance floor.”
Charlee smiled now too. “Are you gonna let him?”
Drew lifted and dropped her shoulders quickly. “I might. He is kind of cute. And I heard Roger and saw the way he kept getting so close to your face. No wonder Hector came to your rescue. Maurice isn’t nearly as pushy.” Something caught Drew’s attention. “Oh, wow, here comes the megastar in the flesh.”
Charlee turned to see Hector and Felix walking toward them. The crowd literally spread for them as they walked through it. There were a lot more people there now than there were earlier, and they all stared at both Felix and Hector as they walked by them.
Taking a deep breath like she had when she’d danced with Hector, Charlee tried to gather herself. Hector was already smiling big before he even reached them. She’d dream of that smile and that moment time had stood still for Charlee tonight no doubt—all night.
“So you guys might have heard of this little-known boxer named Felix Sanchez.” Hector patted Felix on the shoulder.
Hector began introducing them one by one, and they all smiled and shook Felix’s hand. Even though Charlee should have been feeling as starstruck as everyone else appeared to be, her insides were still going wild as the reality of what had happened earlier with Hector set in.
Felix was very nice and surprisingly down to earth, considering how famous and not to mention good-looking he was. He was actually better looking in person than in all the tabloids she’d seen him in.
As much as Charlee tried to focus on what Felix was saying to them and attempted to mimic Drew’s excited smile, she couldn’t help it. Her mind kept going back to Hector and what an about-face his behavior toward her had done.
Another huge distraction was that he was doing it again. Every time she glanced his way, she caught him looking at her. He didn’t even try to hide it now. He’d smile every time. A few times she thought he might laugh because she’d caught him yet again. And he wasn’t just looking at her face either. Several times, like earlier when she caught him taking her in completely, she noticed he was engrossed in her hair or her hands.
She knew her hair was eye-catching. It always had been, and she’d always hated that, but the way he looked at it was different, almost as if he were in awe. All her life, she’d had people comment on her hair—compliment it even. But no one had ever gazed at her quite the way he did. It made her insides warm but in a good way.
Felix finished answering a few more questions from the guys then excused himself. To Charlee’s surprise, Hector didn’t go with him. Felix walked away with his entourage to the next group of people waiting to talk to him.
“Is it weird having a friend that’s so famous?” Drew asked Hector.
Even though it wasn’t directed at her, his playful smile made Charlee breathe deeper. “People’s reaction to seeing him will probably never get old. That’s different but hanging out with him, not at all. He’s the same guy he’s always been.”
“Oh man, I missed him,” Maurice frowned as he came and stood next to Drew. “I was trying to hurry and get over here to meet him before he walked away.”
Since Hector had been so eager about bringing Felix over as soon as he arrived, Charlee expected him to maybe offer to introduce Maurice to Felix, but he didn’t. Instead he seemed a bit off put by Maurice joining them again. He didn’t even acknowledge him, ignoring his comment and turning to Walter. “So you gonna stand here all night or you gonna actually do some dancing?”
Walter glanced at Charlee nervously then turned to the dance floor. “I’m not much for dancing.”
Hector bringing up dancing again made Charlee’s heart start thumping. Would he be asking her to dance again? The D.J. announced the appetizer trays had been refilled. Walter and one of the other guys exchanged smiles. “Let’s go,” Walter said, and they both took off.
The look of disgust on Hector’s face was almost comical as he watched Walter rush off toward the appetizer trays. “What’s wrong?” Charlee asked.
Shaking his head, Hector turned to Charlee. The way his disgusted expression morphed into that sexy smile did all kinds of funny things to her insides. “Nothing’s wrong. He’s just supposed to be watching what he eats,” he said, motioning with his thumb in Walter’s direction. “He asked me to help him drop some weight. I’m doing the best I can in the gym, but that,” he pointed at Walter who was now making his way down the buffet of appetizers. “That’s not gonna help.”
Charlee smiled, knowing that if Walter were anything like her, food was comforting. She could tell she and Walter weren’t too different in terms of being outgoing. He was just as shy as she was, and she’d seen that look on his face when Hector suggested he maybe try dancing. It was the same she was sure she’d made when Roger asked her to dance earlier. As usual, it was only after Drew said okay for both of them that she reluctantly followed her to the dance floor. When Hector had asked her, she’d been speechless.
Hoping to make up for choking during their dance and clamming up, she tried to shake off any feelings of awkwardness. “It’s nice of you to help him out. You two been friends long?”
She saw a subtle but noticeable change wash over his face. He started to answer then stopped when something behind her caught his eye, and he frowned then held his palm up. “Give me a sec,” he said, bringing his hand down, and touched her arm. “I’ll be right back.”
As he walked away, Charlee stood there, trying not to smile too silly. She felt a little ridiculous about how excited something as simple as his touching her arm could make her. “What happened?” Drew leaned into her. “Where’d he go?”
“I don’t know. He got called away.” Again she did her best to flatten the silly smile that threatened to burst when she added, “But he said he’d be right back.”
Charlee glanced back in the direction he’d walked away. He was talking to his brother and Noah. She’d never admit it to anyone, even Drew, because it was too embarrassing, but she knew the names and recognized the two other owners of 5th Street from all the Google-stalking she’d done this past week.
Drew smiled just as big as Charlee wanted to. “I know we said we have to leave early.” Her best friend sounded almost as excited as she felt. “But we can stay as long as you want to.”
Just the thought of
dancing with him again, being held against his body, and seeing that special something she’d seen in his eyes earlier had her insides going wild again. She had to get it together. Hector had walked in tonight with two girls for crying out loud: girls she was certain he’d already slept with and at the same time to make it worse. Now he was ignoring them to hang out with her. Next time, she could very well be the one being ignored. Those girls could deal with it, obviously, since they hadn’t left immediately like Charlee would’ve.
She knew all too well that even going into this knowing the type of guy she was dealing with, she’d be crushed just the same—absolutely, positively crushed. There was no way she could be dumb enough to let herself get caught up in something like this again. Oh, but she was. She could feel it already. And this was completely different from last year. She never felt the kind of intensity she felt from Hector. There was no comparison, and there was no way to describe it, but she felt something with him she knew she’d never felt before. This was truly a first for her. So why was she still so scared.
Drew touched her arm, leaning in again and whispering so Maurice or anyone around wouldn’t hear. “I see your brain working. Relax, okay? This is nothing like what you’re thinking. You may be the same person on the inside, but you’re completely different on the outside now.” She shrugged, giving Charlee a little smile. “So you dance with him again if he asks, and you enjoy the party. It doesn’t have to go any further than that. You can do this. It’s been long enough, Charlee. And remember my sixth sense about these things? I’m telling you this is not the same.”
Charlee nodded, smiling and feeling extremely grateful to have Drew. She’s the only one who really knew all about her fears. Drew had been there and lived through her worst nightmare with her.
“You wanna another drink?”
“No.” Charlee shook her head adamantly. “No more alcohol. I’d like at least a fighting chance of not doing or saying anything too stupid tonight. I’m already a wreck.”
“Don’t be.” Her best friend smiled reassuringly. “You’re doing fine.”
Drew glanced up in the direction where Hector had been standing with Noah and Abel, and the immediate change in her demeanor was enough to alarm Charlee. She didn’t want to be so obvious about it and jerk her head around like she was so tempted to. Whatever it was Drew had seen, had her feisty friend practically glaring now.
“What is it?” Charlee focused on the revolted look in Drew’s eyes to keep from turning around. It wasn’t that hard a temptation to fight anymore because she had a feeling what it could be.
“He’s dancing.”
Charlee swallowed hard, ignoring the plunging drop she just felt her stomach do. His dancing wasn’t a big deal. It was partly his party. But that look on Drew’s face said there was more to it. What did she expect? After everything she already knew, did she honestly think one dance with him was enough to get all stupidly excited about? She didn’t have to ask. She already knew the answer just by the look on Drew’s face, but she had to know, and she refused to look. “Is it Leticia, and can you please stop looking that way already?” The only consolation was the song playing was not a slow one.
Drew finally turned her glare away from him. “It’s both of them.”
Now Charlee couldn’t help but look. She turned just as his eyes looked up and met hers. The song was not a fast one, but it may as well have been a slow sensual one the way the two shameless bitches worked their bodies up against his. Noah and Gio were also on the dance floor, though each danced respectfully with only one girl, and neither of their girls was behaving as vile as Hector’s partners.
Unlike he had earlier, Hector didn’t stare. Instead, he glanced away quickly. He wasn’t dancing nearly as sensually as the girls were, but he did sway his hips to the music and was in no way protesting their bodies against his. Visions of that night in the parking lot came crashing down on her. How could she have been stupid enough to let a few gazes from him, one dance, and one moment, no matter how intense it was, block every fact she already knew about him? She could never deal with this. Ever. “Maybe we should get out of here early.”
She turned to see her friend’s repentant frown. “Whatever you want.”
Charlee knew what Drew was thinking. Her sixth sense had been wrong, and now she felt guilty about adding to Charlee’s premature excitement. But this wasn’t Drew fault. Charlee should’ve known better. Thankfully, it was a quick slip and early on. She’d never let on just what a letdown this really was because she’d begun to think she, too, had some kind of sixth sense. Obviously, she’d been completely wrong—again.
Pouting but then quickly replacing it with a smile, she tried her damnedest to shake it off. “There’s still ice cream at home, right?”
Drew’s smile was equally forced too, but Charlee appreciated the effort. “And wine coolers.”
“Ugh, I don’t think I want any more alcohol tonight, but I’ll take more ice cream.”
Waving at the guys from the chess team, Charlee, Drew, and Maurice made their way to the exit. Knowing Drew had used the ladies’ room not too long ago, Charlee took advantage when she saw the ladies’ room outside the banquet room to tell Drew and Maurice to go on without her. She remembered Drew saying Maurice would probably want to kiss her goodnight, and she wanted to give them a little privacy.
Drew began to protest, saying they could wait for her, but Charlee insisted they go on ahead without her. Finally alone as she walked down the empty hallway toward the ladies’ room, she let the disappointment set in. She didn’t even need to use the restroom, but she went in anyway. Charlee was only thankful that the banquet rooms had restrooms so this one and the halls leading to it were completely abandoned now that the gym was closed off for anything more than the exclusive party.
She stood in front of the mirror, staring at the clueless girl in the mirror. Gawd, she was stupid or pathetic or both. Why didn’t she ever just trust her first instincts? Sure she’d made a big change physically since last year. It might’ve even been big enough to attract a guy like Hector but certainly not enough to tame him. Guys like Hector obviously couldn’t even be tamed by sex kittens like the ones he’d been dancing with tonight. And in all the photos she’d found of him online with girls, they were all Latinas—dark-haired, dark-eyed girls, who could probably all move on the dance floor as sensually as Leticia and Miriam had. There was never one as lily-white as Charlee with her ridiculously bright red hair that exuded about as much sensuality as a nun.
She leaned into the mirror to get a closer look at her face. At least makeup helped conceal most of her infuriating freckles. Surprised by how knotted up she was still feeling, she walked away from the mirror toward the door even more angry with herself. It was embarrassing how easily her made-up mind had been changed just by the few nice things he said to her and his flirtatious gazes. She walked out, determined to leave this behind her and stop thinking about him.
Wanting to give Drew and Maurice a little more alone time, Charlee took her time walking down the hallway, peering into the windows of the doors she passed. Each room was for some kind of specific training. The one with the trophies and photos on the wall caught her attention for a little longer. There was one light on in the corner, and it was hard to make out much. Standing on her tiptoes, she strained to see the photos furthest away. As if she hadn’t gotten her fix of photos of Hector online already, she scanned the wall, looking for more of him.
“Looking for something?”
Charlee gasped at the sound of Hector’s voice echoing off the walls. She spun around, feeling her face flush immediately. “I was just . . . I had to use the ladies’ room and uh . . . the trophies,” she pointed behind her. “I was just curious.”
Hector smiled, easily making her heart flutter even after everything that had happened tonight alone. “It’s okay,” he said, walking toward her. “Is Drew in the ladies’ room still?”
Charlee shook her head. “No, she’s waiting in
the car for me,” she said, trying not to be too obvious, but her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own now.
They roamed his entire body up and down. No longer wearing his coat, his snug black vest over his long-sleeved white dress shirt accentuated his chest perfectly. For a moment, she wondered if he’d taken the coat off himself or if had been stripped off by his dance partners.
“There’s actually some pretty cool stuff in there,” he said as he got close enough for her senses to be once again overloaded by everything about him: his eyes, his lips, his scent, and even the heat from his body when he got close enough that she could almost touch it. This was the very body she’d fantasized about so many times and now knew for a fact just how hard and solid it really was. “I could show you quickly before you go.”
Feeling glued to the spot where she stood, she managed to move so that he could get by her to open the door. “No, I couldn’t,” she said, still embarrassed about being caught snooping and not wanting to confirm just how nosey she could really be.
“Why not?” he turned back with a quizzical expression then chuckled. “This stuff isn’t top secret. Come on in,” he said, opening the door and walking into the room.
She followed him into the dimly lit room and stood in place, taking in the photos on the wall as he walked around turning on lights. With her heart already beating way too fast, she took deep slow breaths to try and calm herself. Not only could she do this but she would and with as much dignity and poise as she could muster. He was after all just a guy—a guy she would in no way be getting involved with.
She turned to see him loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt. Her eyes flew open, and she nearly stopped breathing when he began to unbutton the vest.
Hector stopped midway through taking the vest off and gave her that same bedroom-eyed gaze along with the sexy smile that had left her breathless earlier. “Don’t worry. I’ll stop at the vest. I just feel a little stuffy.”