Chosen One (Forever Evermore #6)(115)

After a few minutes of staring, I stated quietly, “It should be beautiful.”

I heard the bottle swish behind me, and Elder Samson grunted. “Yes, it should be.”

Continuing to stare, I ran a hand over my face, stating clearly, “You’re taking over Elder Farrar’s position as point guard.” I knew those inside could hear, since they were still silent, eavesdropping pathetically.

He didn’t say anything for long moments until he cleared his throat, and then murmured humbly, “He’s better than me.”

“He’s more powerful than you, not better than you.” I watched as a child played with a kite on the beach, the breeze that was ruffling my hair in irritation also making the child laugh as he stared up at his toy. “There is a difference.”

It sounded like he was tapping his glass bottle on the wooden lounge. “Okay.”

“That’s a yes?”

“It is.”

“Okay.” I continued staring, long minutes passing, the sun just starting to touch the crystal clear blue waters…until I heard…I tilted my head to the side…and a small smile lifted my lips. Music. I heard flavored Cajun music from down at the bar on the beach. It sounded like they were just warming up, but after a few more minutes the spiced flavor of the festive, magnetic music could be heard clearly. I peered back to Elder Samson; my eyes glowing dimly, power still ramped for Elder Farrar’s call, and asked him, “Dance with me?”

He couldn’t have looked more taken aback if I had jumped on him naked.

My brows rose a bit, ignoring his shock. “You do dance, don’t you?”

Golden eyes still wide, he muttered, “I’m not near drunk enough for that.”

“Good, you won’t step on my toes.”

“I don’t want to dance.” He was polite enough to refrain from saying “with an Elemental”.

I started moving toward him. “Neither do I, which is the exact reason why we are going to.”

He blinked, eyes huge, watching as I took the bottle from him. “There is no logic in that.”

I sat the bottle aside, trying not to cringe with the effort as I bent, setting it on the white tiled ground. “The reason is in the very depressing nature neither of us wants to.”

He scowled, but didn’t yank his hands away when I grabbed them, tugging gently. “You’re injured.”

“Quit making excuses, and get up,” I tugged more, “Come on,” more tugs, “it’s not scandalous. It’s just a little dancing.”

He continued scowling, but rose when I tugged again, muttering, “Fine, I could use a distraction.”

“You say the sweetest things.” I intertwined our fingers quickly, and lifted our hands between us, about eye level for me, and started shimmying as much as I could to the zesty beat without hurting myself more, moving my arms with the motion, in effect, making his shoulders move a little. “You can do better than that, Elder Samson. Move those hips!”

He blinked slowly, and then muttered quietly, “I cannot believe I’m doing this.”

Dry words. “You aren’t doing anything so far.”

He sighed heavily…and moved his hips…a little.

“There you go,” I cheered him on, turning us a little with the beat. “I knew you could do it.”

He stared, his lips twitching a bit, body barely moving to the beat. “You really want to dance, Ms. Jules?”

I widened my eyes marginally. “You got more?” Yeah, I was egging him on, and he knew it with that gleam in his eye.

He chuckled quietly. “Just try to keep up, and don’t hurt yourself.” And, with that, he twirled me. I squealed in delight, one arm flying out before I flew back at him as he pulled me in, doing a little shimmy to the beat with me before twirling me back out, then swinging us in a circle, my head tipping back as I laughed, both of us grinning like idiots when we stopped, holding our hands together between us, shaking our hips to the beat.

And we danced, thoroughly enjoying ourselves for three entire songs, using the entire balcony at some points, being utter goofs, managing to do some waltz motions, combined with a tango, and then just grooved the rest of the time to the unique essence of the Cajun melodies.

Breathless, and a bit sore, I raised my hands, muttering, “I can’t do anymore.” My cheeks were flushed and I was grinning so much my cheeks hurt. “But Christ, that was fun.”

He dipped grandly, also smiling, golden hair windblown. “That is was. Thank you, Ms. Jules.”

I also dipped, but much less grandly, holding my stomach. “You’re welcome.” I tilted my head to the door. “Coming inside?” The sun had almost set by now.

He shook his head once, peering out to the ocean. “No.” His smile turned soft. “I see it now. I’d like to enjoy it for a little while.”

I patted his shoulder, moving passed him. “Suit yourself.” Running a hand through my messy hair, I was still grinning when I stepped inside, shutting the sliding glass door behind me. And came to a stop, staring. “You have got to be kidding me.”

Sin shrugged, lowering his camera. “I just followed their lead.” Everyone in the room—including Cain—had damn cameras out, some still aimed at the balcony, standing a few feet in front of me. Another shrug from Sin. “They all started running around the room when you two first started dancing, bumping and plowing into each other, digging through their bags. I thought they were going for their weapons, some type of an attack imminent.” His lips trembled fiercely, “But, no. They were all grabbing their cameras.”