The dance floor is littered with swaying bodies, from little girls teetering on their Dad’s toes to elderly couples slowly swaying in each other’s arms. In the center of the floor Julia is pressed into Parker’s chest. They look so perfect together. Their love is radiating like beams of sunshine while the guests dance around them on the floor like orbiting planets. I pause to soak the scene in for a moment; it does my heart good to see her so happy.

It’s as if Parker has breathed vibrancy into her soul. Good things come to those who wait, my father would say. In Julia’s case, that seems to be true. So, where’s my prince charming? Maybe I haven’t waited long enough.

Maybe my father is full of shit.

Either way, it’s time to get my coat and head home. I’ve had enough of watching others in love for one night.

The band kicks it up with a lively tune for the next song, and a few couples peel off the dance floor. If Julia and Parker can hear the music, it doesn’t show since they’re still softly swaying against each other in a love-laced trance.

“You know, I was never very good at asking the pretty girls to dance.” I turn on my heel, and Colt is standing next to me, close enough that my arm grazes across his chest and my body tingles. “But I thought I’d regret it if I didn’t come over here and ask you before I have to leave.” He smiles.

My head is still pounding, and my feet are tired, but there’s no denying I want to dance with him… horizontally… in bed. However, this will do for now.

“I’d love to.” I smile back and watch the tiny lines at the corners of his eyes grow deeper as he beams back at me.

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Colt extends his arm and leads me to the floor. Just as we turn to face each other, the band breaks out in a roaring version of the bird dance.

Are you kidding me? Why do they play this at every wedding reception? Does anyone like this song?

My question is quickly answered as the floodgates open, and we’re quickly engulfed by a crowd of enthusiastic arm flappers. Colt looks at me and shrugs, breaking into a twist then clapping along with the group. I’m staring at him, unmoving, with total disbelief, when he grabs my arm, and we start twirling around in a circle. A smile spreads across my face despite myself. I guess it’s a classic because it’s actually a lot of fun.

The music blends into another slow song and Colt holds my wrist, pulling me in against him. His shoulders are wide, making my hand look small resting on it. At first glance, I didn’t realize how built he is. I’m five-foot-six and almost six feet in these heels, and he is easily four inches taller than me.

As his hand wraps around my waist, I rest my head against his chest and close my eyes, breathing him in, wishing he could hold me like this for the rest of the night. Maybe even longer than that.

As the song fades out, Colt gently tugs my hand, leading me back off the dance floor. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

“Can I get you another glass of wine?” He nods at my empty glass sitting beside my clutch on the table.

“Don’t you have to go?” I don’t want to sound like I’m pushing him out the door, but he did tell me he had other plans.

“Priorities. The way I see it, I can walk out of here and tend to an issue that will still be there in the morning. Or I can stay and dance with you until the morning. I’m not much of a dancer, but I’d love to show you all my sweet moves if you want to stay.” He laughs. “Let’s see, you’ve already seen my signature dance with the bird song there. But I’ve got some pretty impressive foot shuffling and a cabbage patch”—he moves his hands like he’s stirring an invisible witch’s brew—“that will blow your mind.”

I laugh as he shuffles around like he has a bug in his shoe. He stops and grins at me. His hair flicks down on his forehead, giving him an irresistible boyish charm.

“I don’t know if I can keep up!” I tease, tilting my head. “That’s some pretty high-level stuff. I mean, did you take a class or something? You must be a professional.”

We laugh, and I realize my headache along with all my tension from the day have both evaporated.

“I did study at Juilliard,” he teases me, “so it’s understandable that you’d be intimidated.” His eyes twinkle. “How about we get a couple glasses of wine, and I’ll teach you what I know?” He touches my elbow, and my eyes are glued to his lips.

“I’d like that.” My voice is lower as my eyes stay glued on his mouth. His perfectly kissable mouth.

The band breaks out into another cheesy classic, YMCA, and I roll my eyes. “Ugh, who chose this music? I’m putting this on Parker. There’s no way Julia ok’d these songs.”

Colt grins. “Awww, c’mon, it isn’t that bad. Let’s go dance. It’ll be fun.” He starts shuffling with his hands pulled in tight to his chest like he stole all the best moves from the junior high prom.

“You must be kidding.” My feet are rooted. I have to draw the line somewhere. “There’s no way you’re getting me out there.”

“You know, they say that on our deathbed it’s the things we don’t do that we regret.”

“Yeah, somehow I don’t think anyone went out clutching their chest and crying that they didn’t spend enough time doing cheesy dances.” I laugh and my shoulders soften along with my resistance. The shine on Colt’s eyes is more intoxicating than this wine. It’s refreshing to see someone so full of life that it’s bursting out of them like an aura.

Refreshing and sexy.

He tugs my hand playfully, and I can’t resist. Within seconds, we’re mixed in with the enthusiastic crowd, flailing our arms around like cheerleaders missing their pom-poms to the YMCA. Normally I’d feel foolish dancing like this in front of a man like Colt, but with him it’s just fun.

The music melts into another waltz, and he pulls me into him and tastes my lips, kissing me softly. The tension in my body from his unexpected movement floats away as our tongues collide in their own dance. When he pulls back, it takes me a few seconds to realize we’re standing still in the middle of a dance floor full of swaying couples. I thought we were dancing too, but it was just the room swirling around me from the head rush. He looks down at me, his eyes telling me he wants me as much as my body is begging me to go home with him. Wordlessly, we walk off the floor, knowing we’re going to head out to someplace more private. Someplace where we can kiss more… naked.