Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Taking his hand, Nick leans his cane up against a table, then leads the way to the dance floor. A big part of me is grateful for the reprieve from being forced to stand by my father’s side all evening doing nothing else. Nick places his hand on my lower back, and gently guides me to an empty spot on the floor amongst the dancing couples. A melodic waltz masters the air as Nick spins me around to face him. Grabbing one of my hands in his and then placing his other on my upper back, he presses his chest to mine, clearly understanding how to handle the dance of the elite. I have no idea how to dance like this, but with how firmly Nick is holding me, I have a feeling all I will have to do is follow his lead. So fitting considering I’ve never felt safer in my life than when I’ve followed his lead.
As we begin to take slow steps to the right, set to the rhythm of the music, I ask, “Do you have a death wish, Mr. Hudson?”
“A dance with you could be worth it,” he counters as he slowly spins me around in an effortless motion.
“I’m not worth dying over,” I say, slightly taken aback by his declaration.
Nick’s fingers lower down to my lower back, mimicking hot wax dripping down a candle. His strength and strong position make it easy for me to dance along, never wanting to be free from his arms again. He not only knows how to dance; he knows how to do it well.
“You are worth so much more. The sad thing is you have spent your entire life around people who make you feel less.” He sweeps me across the room with expert grace, making eye contact as we move toward the left. His eyes hold mine, even as our bodies move.
Chest to chest, I can feel the beat of his heart.
Body to body, I can feel his warmth.
So close, so intimate, yet so very distant. We are destined to be apart but connected only by music and the provocative steps of the dance.
“In another life, you and I could have really been something special,” I confess.
“I only have this life. I learned a long time ago to make the best out of this one life we have. I don’t want what-ifs.”
I’d have pulled away this very minute had he not twirled me around, bringing me back to him slightly dizzy, seductively connecting our lower halves. I can feel the muscles of his biceps as he holds me in place. I can feel his breath as he looks down upon me. Such power, such dominance in this exotic and erotic dance move.
I thought dancing a waltz was old and stuffy.
Nick is proving otherwise.
He towers over me, yet holds me securely in place, never once wavering or threatening to let me go. The display of control sends a small shiver through me as he masters my body to the beguiling notes of the music.
Moving me across the dance floor, feeling a bit light-headed, I say, “You are a madman.”
“You know me so well.”
“What do you hope to get from tonight?” I ask, glancing over toward Bryant who is preoccupied in a heated discussion with his men. He isn’t paying attention to even a moment of the dance.
“To see you again.”
“I thought Wonderland was the last time I’d see you,” I admit. “It’s been a couple of weeks and you—”
“Haven’t made a visit?” He interrupts with a smile. “Did you miss me?”
I don’t want to admit just how much I did, but I can’t lie to Nick. “Yes.”
“Besides,” he says. “I have to keep an eye on the woman who could be carrying my baby.”
My face heats at the memory of not only having unprotected sex, but the fact that he and I had both pushed his seed inside of me to…
“No risk of that,” I say.
He raises an eyebrow. “Oh? So sure?”
“A woman has a way of knowing,” I say, not wanting to go into the exact details.
“Maybe we should try again.”
“Nick…”
“Lyriope…”
“We don’t need a baby to add to this mess.”
“Maybe I like messy.”
“Well, I don’t. I want nice and clean and shiny. Sadly, that isn’t in my cards.”
“We could leave right now,” he suggests, the words like balm soothing a burn inside of me.
“And go where? Antarctica? If they found us in Italy, they’ll find us anywhere.”
“I have a yacht ready to sail away with us to the furthest edge of the sea. All you have to say is yes, and we can leave here right now.”
I stop cold in my tracks at the suggestion. Is he truly serious? Run away? Hide again? A yacht?
But we’d be together…
“Keep dancing,” he orders softly to which I obey. “Give no one a reason to grow suspicious.”