Seeing Stars Read Free Page A

smile. He must do something physical for a living, something very male. They'd have nothing in common, of course, but the man was definitely built to fuel female fantasies.
    "Come on," he urged, turning that smile on her again.
    "I really don't dance."
    "We'll just shuffle around and pretend."
    She shook off that sense of unreality and stepped into his arms. One dance, then she'd get out of here, take the telescope in the back of her SUV and go outside where she belonged, under a sky full of stars.
    Moody music playing, and Blake McKenzie's arms around her. She smiled, thinking of all the times she'd dreamed this particular fantasy back in her senior year. She'd grown out of it, but Jenn would never forgive her if she didn't dance at least one dance.
    "Mac!" someone shouted.
    "I don't mind if you want to talk to—"
    "But I mind." He turned and she found herself staring over his shoulder at the crowd of people, some faces she almost remembered, and wondering what on earth they'd talk about for the next three minutes until the song ended.
    "Do you still live here?" she asked. "Work here?"
    "I've got a shipyard down near the port."
    "Shipyard?" It sounded very Port Townsend, but she hadn't a clue where to go from there. Even though she'd lived in here for four years, she'd never been on anything smaller than the Washington state ferries.
    "I build wooden boats."
    Over his shoulder, she was suddenly looking straight at Lydia, the other woman glaring back at her with fury in her eyes.
    "I suppose Port Townsend is a good place for wooden boats, what with the annual Wooden Boat Festival."
    Someone bumped against her and Blake skillfully turned her out of range. "What about you, Claire?"
    She felt warmth from his hand under hers, heat seeping through the fabric of his jacket. If she were one of his girls, a high school sweetheart, she'd slide closer now, pressing her body against that broad chest, turning her face to press lips against his throat.
    Of course she wasn't, and she wouldn't.
    "You're an astronomer," he murmured against her ear.
    She carefully put a little more distance between them. No wonder Lydia had looked as if she were wandering around on another planet. The man had very potent sex appeal. "How do you know I'm an astronomer?"
    "That form you filled out. Do you teach? Work in an observatory?"
    "You read my information form?"
    "Yes." He grinned, reminding her of all the times she'd seen him sitting outside the principal's office. "Tell me about life as an astronomer."
    "Why?" She pulled back and looked at him suspiciously. Had he turned into the sort of man who came on to every new woman who crossed his path?
    "Tell me about your work, Claire, and I'll tell you why I want to know."
    "It's too noisy to talk here."
    "Let's get out, then."
    "I didn't mean—"
    But he'd grabbed her hand and was leading her away.
    She jerked him to a stop. "Look, Blake, I'm finding this a little strange."
    "Come on. We'll talk outside."
    "Why should—"
    Someone bumped into her, throwing her against him. He slipped his arm around her, for protection she supposed, looked over her head and said coolly, "Hello, Wayne."
    "Just wanted to take your lady here for a spin," said an alcohol-hazed voice. "Dance with me, lady?"
    "Too late," said Blake. "We're leaving."
    "Hey, Mac, that's not fair." The man who'd wanted her to dance stumbled a little, then grinned foolishly. "Hey, gorgeous, wanna dance?"
    "Back off," said Blake softly in a voice that sent shivers down Claire's spine. Then he turned their bodies to place himself between her and her inebriated admirer.
    "Hey, no 'fense," slurred the man.
    "Where's your purse, Claire?"
    "Back at the table." She'd go with him, she decided, and take advantage of his invitation—whatever sort of invitation it was—to get out of here. Then, outside, with the stars overhead, she'd say good-bye and thanks for the dance.
    They'd almost reached the stairs when Lydia appeared in front of them and put her hand on