The Bet (The Bet #1)(39)

“Ah yes, the lovely drama club. Tell me, what part did you play again?”

He smiled. “Not the dog, thank you very much.”

Kacey raised an eyebrow, pausing with the napkins mid-air.

Travis burst out laughing. “Fine, it was the cat, but in my defense it was the musical CATS, so you can’t make fun of me.”

“I suppose not,” Kacey jutted her bottom lip out as if pouting. “Do you remember the song?”

“Not gonna happen, Kace, so don’t get your hopes up. You’d have to get me very, very drunk to ever hear that song from my lips again.”

“It would be totally worth it.”

He laughed. “Maybe for you.”

“Aw, come on, one tiny little phrase. I won’t tell a soul.” Kacey put her hands on her hips as she moved closer to him. Damn, if he didn’t feel like a cat as he watched those hips sway. Truthfully, he was nearly happy enough to break out in song.

He opened his mouth to possibly sing or perhaps curse, he wasn’t sure which, when he heard the door slam.

“We’re here!” Grandma announced as she strolled into the kitchen, Mr. Casbon in tow.

The man was wearing a silly grin and a Hawaiian shirt tucked into khaki pants. All in all, the perfect man for Grandma. She did love Hawaii.

And men.

Lucky Mr. Casbon.

“So, are we having pupu first?”

Kacey’s eyes widened in horror.

Travis whispered in her ear, “She means appetizers. That’s what they call them in Hawaii.”

“And she’s suddenly Hawaiian?”

At that moment Grandma began to hula dance in front of Mr. Casbon.

Travis exhaled. “Apparently.”

Jake walked into the room, took one look at Grandma dancing, and turned around. Good to know Travis wasn’t the only one alarmed at Grandma’s behavior.

Mr. Casbon grinned and joined in.

Kacey laughed and patted Travis on the shoulder. “Should we show them how it’s done?”

Bewildered, he watched her slowly move her hips. His brain told his mouth to close. He also told himself that if he kept lusting after her he was going to be damned uncomfortable in front his grandmother.

“C’mon, Trav.” Kacey winked and lifted her arms above her head.

He pulled her close and began a rhythm that was anything but hula dancing. It was slow, fluid, sensual. His hands rubbed slowly down her sides until they fell to her hips, staying there, unable to move as he closed his eyes.

Travis didn’t care.

He was beyond caring.

So what if he was embarrassing himself? He was over it, done. He just wanted to touch her, to hold her close.

“Travis?” He opened his eyes, and Kacey was inches from his face. “I think we have a little audience.” Her blush told him he should look but he was too embarrassed. Quickly he jerked away from her then looked.

Grandma and Mr. Casbon stood watching them, each of their heads tilted at an angle. “Well, that was romantic.” Grandma winked.

“I was just…” Travis scratched the back of his head. What? Lusting? Having graphic daydreams of what it would feel like to hold Kacey naked in his arms?

“Dancing,” Kacey interjected.

“Back in my day… “ Mr. Casbon cleared his throat. “When fellas danced like that they got them girls pregnant.”

Travis felt his face burn.

“You’re not gonna get her pregnant, are you, son?”

Was this guy for real?

“Umm…” No, just say no. Why wouldn’t his mouth work?

“Not unless you can get pregnant from dancing too close, Mr. Casbon.” Kacey patted Travis on the shoulder, shocking him out of his paralyzed state.

“I’m sure it’s possible.” The old man pointed his finger into the air then turned toward Grandma and pulled her flush against him. “I’m just glad we’re old enough not to care.”

“Oh merciful Lord above,” Kacey muttered.

Travis elbowed her.

They continued to stare as Grandma laughed while in Mr. Casbon’s arms.

“She’s kind of a hussy,” Kacey whispered.

“Kind of?” Grandma wasn’t just flirting. She was… Well, the word was not something Travis wanted to use in the same sentence as Grandma.

“Time to eat!” his mother announced, strolling into the room. “Oh, heavens.” She placed a hand over her heart when her eyes caught Grandma and Mr. Casbon embracing. “Let’s, er, just take our seats then! Jake! Jake, get in here. It’s time to eat!”

Everyone sat around the table. “Wescott!” Bets yelled. “Wescott, it’s time, honey. Stop messing with the computer and get in here.”

His dad rushed into the room and took a seat. “Why do we have place cards?”

Bets glared. “I thought it best, considering…” She eyed Travis, then Kacey, and finally Jake, who felt the need to act innocent and shrugged his shoulders then winked in Travis’s direction.

Idiot.

“So,” Mr. Casbon said as he began dishing heaping amounts of meatloaf onto his plate. “Do I understand that we’re going to have a rousing game of Monopoly tonight?”

Grandma tittered and blushed.

He said rousing, not arousing. They weren’t playing strip Monopoly. Images he never wanted to see started pounding through his head, and then he looked at Kacey. Immediately, the images were replaced with visions of tasting her pouting lips, running his hands through her hair, kissing down her body until…