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standing there, left behind while everyone else joined the party. I hoped he would find a way to get involved in the fun and let loose a little bit, but in the next moment my attention was forcibly dragged away. Up the sandy hill, on a rocky ledge overlooking the bonfire on the beach, was a wide wood-plank dance floor where several attendees were already dancing to the songs spun by the DJ. Athatched-roof bar stood near the top of the dance floor, and the two bartenders behind it were working so hard they were sweating. Up a rocky pathway to one side of the bar was a burbling hot tub surrounded by flutes of champagne and trays of fruits and sweets. Down another pathway closer to the beach was a plunge pool lit from below, its water glowing like an aquamarine stone in the moonlight.
"Kiran has thought of everything," Upton said, pulling me close to his side.
"I didn't think to bring a bathing suit," I told him.
"Perhaps you don't need one," he said slyly, nuzzling my ear.
"Okay, down, boy. How about we start with a dance?" I said, pushing him away with a hand to the chest.
"All right then."
He pulled me onto the dance floor and held me so close I felt as if every inch of my body was touching every inch of his. Upton was an excellent dancer. He not only knew how to keep a beat, but he was so confident and self-assured that when he moved his hands down my back and over my hips it didn't feel awkward or contrived at all. It just felt . . . incredible. I looked into his eyes as we danced. Soon I had forgotten anyone else was there.
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"Maybe we should get out of here," I murmured in his ear. Upton smiled. "Patience," he said in an infuriatingly sexy tone. "Later I'm going to go back to the main island to make sure everything's arranged. I've hired one of the boats to take you back a bit after that. For now, let's just have a little fun."
With that, he grabbed my hand and twirled me away from him until our arms were perfectly straight. I was so startled I lost my balance and knocked into some random guy, who tripped into his date. "Sorry!" I said with a laugh.
"No worries. It's a party," he replied in an Australian accent. Couldn't have said it better myself. For the next hour we all hit the dance floor hard and heavy. The drinks were flowing and my friends got louder, messier, and more touchy-feely with each passing moment. I made sure to steer clear of the alcohol, though. Upton had said this was going to be a night neither of us would ever forget. I wanted to make sure I was completely present for all of it.
Soon a whole group of us
was dancing together at the center of the dance floor, and I smiled when I saw Sawyer allow himself to get dragged in by Taylor and Amberly. He managed a smile as he joined us and just sort of stepped from side to side to the beat. But the more we all twirled and bounced and acted like complete morons, the more he seemed to relax. I even saw him touch Amberly's hip once when she was dancing all up in his face. So maybe he couldn't see through her shiny veneer, but whatever. It was a parry. Let the boy have his fun.
During one of our brief breaks, I sidled over and jostled him with my elbow.
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"You're having fun, aren't you?" I said. "Don't deny it, I can tell."
"It's not bad," he replied, leaning back against a palm tree near the edge of the dance floor. He looked me in the eye and smiled. "This might turn out to be an okay year after all."
I grinned. "Well, since you're in such a positive mood, I think I should get this over with," I said mischievously.
Sawyer, smart guy that he was, looked alarmed. He stood up straight as if ready to bolt. ""What? "
"I know you hate the spotlight and everything, but I have to do this," I replied, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the DJ. "You'll forgive me one day."
"Reed, what're you doing?" Sawyer asked, glancing around for an escape route. To his credit, however, he didn't struggle against my grip. I stepped up next to the DJ and waved him down to get his attention. "Can I get the mic for a second?" I asked.
"You Reed Brennan?" he asked.
"Yep," I replied. I had asked Kiran to clear it with him earlier.
He nodded and handed over a silver microphone. "S'all yours." Then he turned down the volume on the driving dance music until it was nothing but background noise. Gradually the people on the dance floor slowed their movements and looked around in confusion.
"Hi, everyone," I said, lifting my arm. "Sorry for the interruption. I just have a couple things I want to say."
Sawyer leaned in toward my ear. "I hate you," he whispered.
I just smiled at him.
"As many of you know, this isn't just a New Year's Eve party. We're
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