The music had changed from a hip-hop beat to something slow, and Melissa watched as Ryan pulled Tasha into his arms in the middle of the dance floor. A smile tugged at Melissa’s lips. It was nice seeing her cousin so happy.
“Mind if I steal you?”
Melissa’s spine stiffened. Certainly Aaron was not speaking to her.
Swallowing, Melissa glanced up and over her shoulder and saw that her ears had not been playing tricks on her. “Steal me for what?” she asked.
“To dance with you.”
Was he out of his mind? “Arlene and I are discussing something.”
“No, you go on,” Arlene said. “Dance. I’ll talk to you in a little bit.”
“But...” Melissa’s protest died in her throat when Arlene smiled at Aaron, then headed off the dance floor.
Melissa wanted to scream at her sister. Why would she encourage Aaron dancing with her? She knew how much he had hurt her years ago. Besides, he was a married man, so dancing to a slow tune with him was inappropriate.
Aaron stepped forward and slipped his arms around her waist. Melissa stood as still as a rock.
“I won’t bite,” Aaron said, trying to urge her body to sway to the music. Then he leveled a charming smile at her.
Melissa could almost imagine his unspoken words. Unless you want me to...
Oh, he thought he was smooth!
Because she knew it would look ridiculous to stand ramrod straight while Aaron tried to lead her in a dance, Melissa moved with him. But she eased her body backward as far as possible so that people watching them wouldn’t get any crazy ideas. The last thing she needed was to come back to town and be embroiled in any sort of scandal.
“So,” Aaron began, “we finally have a moment to talk.”
Melissa said nothing.
“Are you still going to give me the silent treatment?”
Melissa made a face as she looked at him. “What are you talking about? We’ve talked all evening.”
He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips. “You’ve barely said anything to me.”
“I don’t know what you expect me to say. I haven’t seen you in years.”
“True.” Aaron was silent for a moment as he turned with her, edging her ever closer against his body as he did. He leaned in and said softly, “It really is good to see you again. You look amazing.”
Melissa glanced up at him. She felt a tingle of warmth as she saw the expression in his eyes, something that looked a lot like attraction.
He held her gaze for a long moment, and God help her, the warmth turned to a searing heat. Why was he looking at her as though he wanted to...
To kiss her?
No, she must be imagining things. Maybe he was just fascinated that he was seeing her again. Maybe there was even some level of regret on his part, knowing that he’d let a good woman go. She could only imagine what his life was like with Ella. Despite that Aaron was rumored to be a playboy, she couldn’t imagine that Ella made his life easy.
But that had been his choice, hadn’t it?
The reality that he’d rejected her hit her anew, killing any bit of physical attraction she was feeling.
When was this song going to end? She couldn’t handle this anymore.
“It certainly looks as though life is treating you well,” Aaron said.
“It is,” Melissa said, exaggerating the excitement in her tone. “My life is amazing. I have no complaints.”
“That’s good to hear. I always wanted good things for you.”
Melissa wanted to roll her eyes and tell him not to be patronizing. What, did he think she’d lived a boring and unhappy life because he hadn’t been with her?
“You’re single?”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not happy.”
Aaron looked at her askance. “I didn’t say that.”
No, he hadn’t. Melissa was being far too sensitive. She inhaled deeply and told herself to calm down.
“I’m glad you’re happy, that life is going well for you.”
“Thank you.” Though Melissa didn’t want to be conversing with Aaron, she figured she ought to offer something to the conversation. “And you’ve been very successful. Soccer worked out well for you.”
“It did, yes.”
“Well, that’s what you always wanted. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Aaron released her to take her by one hand and twirl her around. Then he pulled her close again. “You know, when I found out you were going to be in the wedding party, I asked Ryan to make sure we were paired up.”
Melissa couldn’t help gaping at him. “You did?”
“I figured it’d be fun.”
Was he out of his mind? Fun? Was that what this was to Aaron? A game?
She didn’t know what was going through his mind. Maybe he was flirting with her because he was one of those guys who wanted to feel that no woman could resist him.
The very fact that he was dancing with her like this was disrespectful to Ella.
Again, Melissa wondered where she was. How had the Ella she’d known in high school given up this opportunity to gloat on the arm of her husband?
Aaron splayed his fingers across her back, making her skin tingle. He pulled her close as the slow song came to an end, and for one insane moment, Melissa reveled in the feeling of her body pressed against his. She luxuriated in the heat that consumed her.
But only for a moment.
Because the next instant, she pushed herself backward, though he refused to release her.
“I think that’s enough,” she said, looking up into his eyes. Why did he keep looking at her with that smoky gaze, as though he wanted nothing more than to get naked with her?
“It’s not nearly enough,” Aaron replied.
Melissa glanced around uncomfortably, certain that she would see disapproving gazes everywhere. Instead, she saw Tasha looking at her with happy curiosity.
“Maybe this is just your...way,” Melissa said distastefully, “but I’m not going to become a point of gossip for this town.”
“We’re dancing,” Aaron said, and when Melissa tried to extricate herself from his grasp, he used the opportunity to twirl her around again.
Oh, he was infuriating!
Even though the tempo of the new song was upbeat and didn’t lend itself to slow dancing, Aaron snaked a hand around her waist and pulled her against his body. Despite her irritation with him, a fresh wave of heat washed over Melissa. She looked up at him, aghast, and saw that the edges of his lips were curled in a grin. He thought this was funny!
“Aaron, that’s enough,” Melissa said, her voice firm. She knew what would happen tomorrow. Phones all across town would be ringing, people gleefully sharing the news that Melissa Conwell had been getting all cozy with Aaron Burke at the welcome dinner for the wedding.
Finally, Melissa wiggled her way out of Aaron’s arms and glanced around, trying once again to ascertain just how much of a spectacle she’d become.
“What’s the matter?” Aaron asked.
Melissa guffawed. “You’re not serious.”
“I’m