“I didn’t think of that.”
“We were glad we found it for her.” Lily unconsciously relaxed back against Shade as they talked, enjoying the warmth of him at her back.
It wasn’t long before Train and Jewell came downstairs and started dancing alongside Viper and Winter. Train wasn’t wearing a shirt, but he had on a bandana over his hair and a patch over one eye. Jewell was wearing a pirate wench outfit, which left most of her breasts bare, and the short skirt showed the long length of her shapely legs.
As the song changed, Razer got to his feet. “Let’s dance.” With that, Beth and Razer joined the couples dancing.
Halfway through the song, Evie came downstairs dressed as a French maid with Cash dressed as himself.
Lily laughed, looking into Shade’s eyes. “Train is the only one who dressed up?”
Shade shook his head. “Rider dressed as Tarzan, but I threatened to kick his ass if he came down here.”
Lily’s giggles were cut off as Shade got up, setting Lily on her feet before taking her to the dance floor. She tried to get away, but he snagged her around the waist, pulling her close.
“Dance with me, Lily.”
“I don’t know how,” she protested.
“That’s okay. They don’t either.” Shade pointed his hand at Evie and Cash.
Lily watched the others. They were all just having a good time. They had come down here to make her feel more comfortable while, even over the music, she could hear the sounds of the others partying upstairs.
She began moving, trying not to feel self-conscious about her awkwardness. By the third dance, she was relaxed and moving much more comfortably. The other members came and went, moving back and forth between the two floors, everyone seemingly enjoying themselves.
Shade had pulled her closer and someone had turned off a couple of the lamps, dimming the room without making it too dark. Beth, Razer, Winter and Viper had gone upstairs while Cash, Evie, Train and Jewell were still dancing.
“Are you having a good time?”
Lily smiled up at Shade. “Yes, I am.”
“Don’t seem so surprised,” Shade said, his thigh sliding between her legs as his hand dropped to circle her waist.
“I just thought it would be wilder.”
“It is, upstairs.”
She blushed, turning her eyes away. “If you want to go upstairs, I won’t mind.”
“Shut up. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
Lily smiled, relieved that he didn’t feel like he was missing out.
When Shade lowered his head, his lips briefly touching hers, Lily didn’t move away from the brief encounter. The seductive movements of his body and the music heightened her awareness of him.
As Shade’s mouth lowered again, lingering against hers, Lily felt the pressure of his lips, enjoying the feel of them. When his tongue then slid along the seam of her lips, she gasped. Shade took advantage, sliding his tongue inside of her mouth.
Lily’s hands grabbed his t-shirt, but she didn’t push him away. She thought the tangy flavor of the beer he had drunk would repulse her, but it didn’t. The silky warmth of his tongue against hers had her indecisive about what to do next. Before she could decide, Shade lifted his head, continuing to dance as if nothing had happened.
She didn’t know what to think or feel; she then decided she didn’t have to do either. She had to learn to not over-think everything. She should take Rachel’s advice and roll with whatever happened between her and Shade. It had just been a kiss, something girls her age did every day without even thinking anything about it.
It was just a kiss, she kept telling herself. Then why does it feel like so much more? she asked herself. Why did it feel like a tiny seed of desire had been planted and was waiting to grow into a special something? It was miraculous that she had believed herself incapable of ever wanting or needing something like that.
The music ended and Shade stepped back. “Want to get something to drink?”
“Yes.” It was becoming hot downstairs all of a sudden.
As Lily moved off the dance floor, Evie plopped down on the couch out of breath next to Jewell.
“I love your outfit, Lily. It looks all demur; then when you move, it shows that rockin’ body of yours. I might need to borrow it for the next party,” Jewell complimented.
Lily’s mouth dropped open. Now she understood that look on her sister’s face and Shade getting her to get up and get him a drink. Lily glared at Shade.
“The drinks are all gone. I’ll go get some more,” Shade said, the coward making his escape.
As Train and Cash both went upstairs, saying they were going to grab some pizza, Jewell got up from the couch, going to the floor, and began dancing. When she twirled on the pole, Lily realized the women did use it to pole dance.
Evie glanced at her when Jewell really got going, sliding up and down the pole.