“Um…….” She trailed off, her eyes widening at the fact that Fred Durst was asking her to dance. “I uh……”
He lightly took hold of her elbow. “That a yes?”
“Sure.” She choked out. She set her can down on the table, reminding herself not to come back for it.
“Great.” He sent her a sexy grin and led the way out of the kitchen and to the dance floor that had been set up.
Their bodies immediately began to grind together to the music. The beat flowing into them. Fred’s hands, though they roamed her body, stayed in respectable places. Celeste finally found herself relaxing and having a good time. Sure, she hadn’t really been to eager to come…but now that she was here, mine as well enjoy it.
She danced with Fred for a few songs, and was about to tell him she wanted to take a break, when a hand was placed on her shoulder and she was spun around. She found herself face to shoulder a lean, firm body. She tilted her head up and recognized AJ McLean’s smiling face.
“Hey, having fun?” He wrapped his arms around her waist and started to sway to the music.
“Okay, sure J…just take my partner.” Fred spoke up with a sarcastic tone.
AJ grinned over the top of Celeste’s head at him. “I will. I figure you’ve been dancing with her long enough. I’m doing her a favor.”
Fred waved a hand at him. “Whatever.” He looked at Celeste, who’d turned halfway around to see him. “Might as well just let you dance with him. If he doesn’t get his way he gets whiny. And no one wants to hear AJ whine.” He winked. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
Celeste nodded as he lumbered off. Then she turned back to AJ.
He just sent her a sexy grin and pulled her closer to his body. The scent of his cologne wafted into her nose. He did smell good; she had to give him that much.
“So, where’s Nicky?” He inquired, pressing his hips slightly into hers.
“Where else? Playing video games.” She rolled her eyes.
AJ gave a knowing nod. “Yeah, that would be our dear Nick. He comes to a party and ends up playing video games. Hell, he goes anywhere and ends up playing video games.”
Celeste had to laugh at that comment. That much was true. “You know him so well.”
AJ smiled at her. “I should. I’ve only been hanging around the kid since he was 12. If I don’t know him that well, I’d wonder what was wrong with me.” His hands traveled to her hips. “But one thing I don’t know is why he was hiding you.”
The tone inflicted in AJ’s voice caused Celeste’s cheeks to tinge pink. She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
He cocked his head. “Are you two dating?”
A sudden burst of laughter came out from her lips. “Dating? Me and Nick?” She raised her eyebrows at him, as she shook her head. “Oh no. We’re just friends. That’s all, that’s ever.”
AJ nodded. “I see. Good.” He sent her another sexy grin.
She laughed again. “God, if I dated him I’d have to date his video games too.”
AJ laughed at her comment. “Ain’t that the truth.”
“Yeah, and sometimes something tells me he finds those things more important than a girlfriend.”
AJ chuckled. “Only sometimes. Nick’s a good guy. He treats his women well. When he has any that is.”
Celeste nodded. “I know. He’s a sweetheart.”
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a body crashed into them and both AJ and Celeste found themselves covered in beer.
“Hey!” AJ barked at whomever had run into them.
Celeste backed away and examined her beer-soaked shirt. Perfect, now what? She was going to smell like beer all night. Just great.
“Sorry.” The guy mumbled as he shrugged and moved off.
AJ sighed. “You okay?” He looked at Celeste.
She nodded. “Yeah, just peachy.”
“I’ve got some clean, dry T-shirts in my room. Want one?” He thumbed towards the stairs.
Celeste examined her shirt again. The alcohol was starting to seep through onto her midriff and chest. “Yeah, that might be good.” She nodded.
“Alright.” He reached out and laced his fingers through hers, leading the way through the crowd and up the stairs. “Right this way.”