Page 6 of Bound

I was feeling him, all of him with just one touch. Strong and confident, his shoulders stiffened as his long legs strode with determination back towards the crowded room.

Guiding us around people and between clusters of dancers, he led me back to the bar. Pulling out the stool, he helped me up and asked, “What's your poison?” Leaning against the bar, he stared down at me, wearing a smile that made my brain turn to mush.

“I don't really have a poison, I'll have whatever you're having.”

Grinning, he waved the bartender over. “Two Manhattans.” Licking his lips, his eyes rode my body. “You here with friends?”

“Not exactly.” Hanging my head, I picked at my nails. “Blind date.”

“Ah, gotcha.” Raking his fingers through his hair, he watched me curiously. “I'm guessing it didn't go well since you were trying to sneak out of here.”

Chuckling, I smiled up at him. “It didn't go at all, he never showed up.”

“Dick,” he said, rolling his eyes while laughing. “He doesn't know what he missed out on then. I guess that works in my favor.” Winking, the bartender slid the drinks in front of us and the man picked his up. “Here's to a fresh start.”

Clinking our glasses together, I took a small sip. “Thank you for this.”

“It's my pleasure, beats drinking alone, that's for sure.” Chuckling, he turned against the bar, resting his elbows on top. “So, what do you do?”

“What do I do?”

“Yeah, for work, what do you do?” The corner of his lip lifted as he draped a single finger over my wrist and stroked my skin.

His touch was tender and sensual. The gentle motion created waves across my flesh, making my cheeks blush and my sex throb with delirious need.

Flicking my eyes away, I stared into my drink. “I'm a vet tech.” Pushing the tip of my finger against the small napkin, I moved it around aimlessly over the bar top. “What about you?”

Thinning his lids, he rocked his head on his shoulders. “Let's just say I used to be a bodyguard. . .” Pausing, his lips pursed as he lifted his cup, wrapping the rim of his glass. “Kind of.” Taking a sip of his drink, he swallowed and I watched the lump in his throat as it moved down his neck.

This man was mesmerizing. It was hard to take my eyes off of him.

“What's your name?” I asked him, leaning a little closer to make sure he could hear me.

The scent of his cologne swirled around my face as he shifted against the bar. Musky and sweet, the mix made my thighs quiver and my lungs crave more. I wanted to lay my face against chest, and breathe him in, letting his aroma fill my body.

What the hell is going on with me?

Sitting quietly, my nerves were going wild. My body had never reacted this way before, not like that. The subtle notes of sandalwood filled my senses, making my muscles tense and alert.

He was so close, I could feel him on my skin. The tiny hairs prickled on the back of my neck as he hovered mere centimeters away. I wanted him to touch me, to brush the surface of my skin with his hands again, to stroke me and massage me, and make my body sing for him.

Temptation was crawling all over me like a thick mass, eager and ready, needy and thirsty. I was losing control, completely and utterly surrendering to this man inside.

“You dance?”

“Hm?” I asked, lost inside my own head, unable to focus on his words as my entire being was consumed by just his presence. I didn't even notice that he ignored my question, replacing it with one of his own.

Leaning closer, he lowered his mouth to my ear. “Do you dance?”

“Yeah, a little.” Fiddling with the glass, I took a long, heavy swallow. “But it's been a while.”

Holding out his hand, he nodded his head. “Come on.”

“I don't know, I'm not sure—”

“Come on, don't be shy.” Wrapping his fingers around mine, I let him pull me from the chair and walk me to the dance floor.

I gave in easily, allowing him to take control. It didn't matter if my brain had wanted to run screaming, because it wasn't in charge right then. My heart was beating hard, my stomach was doing flips, and there was no way for me to stop whatever was brewing between us.

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