Chapter Three

  The cavernous hall in The House of Blues was in full swing with the Boogie Knights belting out the 70s Bee Gees hit, “Night Fever.” Go-go dancers in micro miniskirts danced in suspended cages, as Victor whirled Lexy on the packed dance floor.

  “I should warn you that I could have been another John Travolta. I know I’m only twenty-nine,” Victor said, trying to talk above the music, “but I’ve got his Saturday Night Fever steps down to science.”

  “So, are you trying to intimidate me on our first date?”

  “Of course not.” Victor gave Lexy a mischievous smile as he pulled her body to his. Heat rose up the back of her neck and into her face. Their eyes locked and their bodies moved as one while they danced the hustle. The faceted mirrors of the huge overhead rotating disco ball sent dazzling, dizzying swirls of dots over the ceiling, the floors, and their bodies.

  “You know what?” said Lexy. “You do kind of resemble a young John Travolta, especially with that cute dimple in your chin.”

  Victor threw his head back and laughed. “I should maybe stop by my house and put on my white suit.”

  During a break between songs, Lexy and Victor walked over to the bar to get a drink. Nudging their way through the crowd they managed to stake claim to a small area next to the bar as they ordered their drinks. A bachelorette party was in full Vegas mode, as five young women tossed back a round of Cuervo shots and slammed the glasses on the bar top with the synchronicity of an Olympic drinking team. The bride-to-be who wore her veil and little else let out a primal “Woo hoo!”

  Never before had Lexy felt such excitement with any man as she did with Victor. She was so hypnotized she could barely speak, and as they raised their glasses to their lips and took a sip of wine, hers dribbled down the front of her chin. Victor quickly grabbed a bar napkin and dabbed the wine, while the voice in her head, shouted Klutz.

  Victor canvassed her face and held his fingers under her chin. “You have such beautiful, delicate features. Flawless, translucent skin, a tiny spray of endearing freckles across your nose, and eyes the color of emeralds. You’re perfect.”

  He brushed his thumb lightly over her lips. She felt a tingle run through every part of her body. Their eyes locked for what felt like forever, when suddenly his merlot soaked lips were covering hers. After a long, sensuous kiss, he gently pulled away from her lips, set their drinks on the bar, and guided Lexy off into a dark alcove, away from everyone. Victor pulled her hard against him and crushed his lips to hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back hard, deep, sensuously, drinking him in, feeling as if he was the very air that she breathed. Her head fell back, and her eyes closed as he kissed her neck. She felt dreamy, giddy, sensual.