Page 64 of Give Me Love

“Dance with me.” I cover her hands with mine. The song fades into Rob Zombie’s “Dragula” before switching back into “Adrenalize”. Kathrine’s ash gray eyes narrow. “Come on,” I say. She gives me a smirk and lifts our hands up as she twists in front of me.

Her ass presses right up to my crotch, and she sways. My hands move down her sides, following her curves and valleys as she moves against me. I wish she were naked and all of these people would disappear.

That’s an idea.

Maybe one day.

Her head falls back, settling into the groove of my neck. I turn my face so it’s touching hers, and I breathe in. Her hair smells like a mixture of rain on Sunday mornings and a field of wild lavender flowers blowing in the summer breeze.

Home.

I want to kiss her and feel her tongue against mine. I want to beat the shit out of her ex for hurting her and that punk Nash. Why didn’t I hit him? My thoughts vanish when she reaches around and grabs my neck. My fingers skim across the hem of her shirt, and I lift it up so I can feel the skin of her stomach.

Hard rock fades away and in its place are soft lyrics from Anderson East, giving everyone a chance to grab a drink, but several people stay.

She pulls away, but I can’t let her go. I grab her hands. She wavers, tipping her head to the side.

“Stay,” I say with a swallow.

What am I doing? What is she doing?

She tentatively places her hand over my shoulder while I hold her other in mine, grazing my chest. Her forehead rests near my lips, and I want so bad to taste her skin. I’m turned on more than I’ve ever been and what we’re doing isn’t sexual, but it’s the most sensual thing I’ve ever come close to.

My heart pounds only inches away from her touch, and I’m afraid of the feeling that’s slowly spreading throughout my chest.

Comfort, lust, belonging…owning.

Yes. I want to own this woman. Body and soul.

Fuck. Why am I thinking these things? I can’t do this. Panic washes over me, and instincts tell me to run.

But she looks up at me. Her fierce eyes dare me to do something I’ve never done before.

To let my guard down.

I blink, mesmerized by her. Her small hand fits perfectly inside of mine, and just her touch calms me. It’s as though I’ve been lost my whole life, and she’s finally found me. I should kiss her. I need to kiss her. But the song ends and a new upbeat one blasts through the speakers.

Kat pulls away. I missed my chance. Disappointment weighs heavy, and I don’t like it.

She looks past me, and I follow her gaze as Claire walks up.

“You ready to get out of here?” she asks. “It’s late.”

Kat’s eyes dart to me. Is she wanting me to ask her to stay?

“Yeah,” she says, not waiting for me to respond. Or maybe I took too long? Shit, I suck at this. I don’t usually have to think so much when it comes to women.

We fuck; they leave. There’s nothing else to think about. But not with this woman.

My woman.

Your woman? You can’t even kiss her.

I will.

“Talk to you later this week?” she asks me as we walk off the dance floor.

“Yeah, I’ll be by,” I reply.

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