Chapter One
“Wanna dance?”
Chloe Dawson stiffened at the sound of that voice. Low, husky, thrumming along her nerve endings. His voice, his face, his tall, rangy body had haunted her dreams for years. Years. Like since she was too young to even think such wicked thoughts.
Breathing deeply, she turned, offered her most serene smile to the very man who’d ignored her for what felt like her entire life. “Sorry, I can’t.”
Cameron McKenzie frowned, which was still a good look for him. After all, it was hard to mar that face, what with his perfectly square jaw, intense green gaze, and lush, beautiful mouth. “Why not?”
“I promised this dance to my date.” Her smile felt pasted on, and the corners of her lips started to tremble. How easy it would be to give in and say yes. Give in to all those wishes and hopes and dreams she’d kept close to her chest and finally get a chance to be in his arms.
His frown turning into an intimidating scowl, Cameron crossed his arms in front of his solid wall of a chest. But he didn’t scare her. He never had. “Who the hell is your date?”
“Hey, bro.” Mac chose that moment to make his appearance at her side, his arm sneaking around her waist. She couldn’t have planned it better. “Ready for that dance you promised me, Chloe?”
She smiled at Cameron’s brother Mac, her voice soft. “You know it.”
Mac took her hand and led her onto the crowded dance floor, taking her in his arms the moment they reached the edge. Chris and Jane’s wedding had turned into the kickoff summer event in Lone Pine Lake. It felt like every resident of the small mountain town was there tonight.
Including the man Chloe had crushed on since she was twelve. It was a rare occasion; Cameron did his absolute best to avoid his hometown as much as he could. But the prodigal son had returned for his younger sister’s wedding.
Reluctantly, Chloe was sure.
“What was up with Cam?” Mac asked, twirling her around the floor so quickly, she huffed out a shocked laugh. “And don’t look so surprised. I have secret moves.”
“I don’t know what’s up with your brother,” she said breathlessly, laughing again when he dipped her over his arm. “Have you been taking lessons or what?”
Mac grimaced, then glanced around as if afraid someone might overhear him. “Jane made us take a few.” He shook his head and she stifled a grin. “Claimed she didn’t want her brothers making fools of themselves during her wedding reception. She says we’re all terrible dancers except Dad.”
Wow. Her best friend had actually kept a secret. Of course, Jane had been so busy planning and preparing, Chloe hadn’t seen her much the last couple of months before the wedding, with the exception of the bridal shower and then the rehearsal dinner last night. “I had no idea. Considering I’m a bridesmaid, I find that surprising.”
“Patrick and I swore we would do something far worse to embarrass her if word got out.” Mac mock shuddered. “Jane dragged me to a dance class at the community college in Oakwood. Patrick took lessons with his wife where they live.”
“And what about Cam?” Her heart fluttered mentioning his name. So stupid.
Infinitely stupid.
“Ha. He told Jane something like, ‘make me,’ and hung up on her.”
Sounded like Cameron. He could be so…stubborn.