Page 66 of Take the Lead
“Through there.” She pointed, and he carried her.
It wasn’t strange, being carried by him. He’d picked her up on the day they’d met, had lifted her countless times during rehearsals. In his arms, she felt safe, protected, cared for. He wouldn’t drop her.
Cuidado.
Safe as she felt in his arms, there was still a thread of danger. Not for her body, but for all the reasons she hadn’t taken this step with him already.
She pushed those concerns aside. She’d had enough of fighting her desire for him.
They entered her bedroom, and Stone once again kicked the door shut behind them. Laying her down on the bed, he climbed next to her and pulled her close. Her queen mattress had never felt so small.
The bedroom was lit by a lamp on the side table, casting the space in a soft yellow glow. It invited them to go slowly, to take their time.
Fuck. That.
Gina sat up. Without a word, Stone skimmed her tank top up her ribs and over her head, muttering a reverent curse when he saw the lacy black bra she wore. She smiled, then gasped when he pressed his mouth to her breast through the lace.
She grabbed the back of his shirt. “I said, get naked.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Gina joined him in undoing the buttons on his shirt. “Why on earth would you wear something so difficult to take off?”
He chuckled. “I was thinking more about gettingyouundressed.” With a growl, he tugged on the waistband of her yoga pants. She lifted her hips to help ease the way.
He groaned when he saw her matching lace panties. “Damn, Gina.”
“I put them on just for you.”
He laid a kiss on her hip. “I’m glad to hear you weren’t wearing these for your dance with Jackson.”
“Jealous?”
“Damn right.” He moved up to kiss her lips. “All I could think of this week was our salsa, all the way back in the beginning. It drove me crazy to think of you dancing like that with Jackson.”
“How do you think I felt knowing you were dancing with my best friend?”
Caging her with his arms, he gazed into her eyes. “She’s not you.”
Warmth spread through Gina’s chest, then lower when his hand slid down to her hip.
“I missed you.”
Her heart fluttered. “You already told me that.”
“It’s worth repeating.” His fingers plucked at the elastic of her panties. “You make things… easier.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It’s easier to talk to you. Easier to think. Easier to… feel.”
His eyes were bottomless ice blue pools, threatening to suck her in. It was more than she could take. Her own emotions were too close to the surface, and it wasnoteasier for her to feel them.
Time to shift gears. “You’re still dressed.”
He yanked open his shirt, sending the last button flying.
“I’ll find that later.” Gina knelt on the bed to help him push the fabric over his shoulders. Dragging her hands down the mouth-watering expanse of his muscled torso, she grabbed his belt and undid the buckle. “No interruptions this time.”
