Page 141 of New Growth
He looked for me. When I told him I wasn’t ready for anything, he waited for me. I’ll admit, it took me a while to see him, but when I did, a whole new world opened up.
Our connection exceeded even our own understanding. Sometimes, it felt like we knew what the other was thinking before it could be put into words. Like now, the look in his eyes told me the only thing on his mind was his hands on my body. So, I asked.
“You wanna dance with me?”
He blinked rapidly, shocked by my question as I had never offered before.
“What’s the catch?” his eyebrow cocked.
I shrugged. “No catch.”
He eyed me suspiciously, visibly weighing his options. His eyes scoured over me, landing on my exposed lower thighs. I guess he reached his decision after doing mental gymnastics and resting his glass on the table.
“Come here then,” he commanded with a look of amusement in his eyes. He was testing me. Seeing if I was serious about being that intimate with him.
Taking on the challenge, I stiffened my stance and advanced with every bit of my confidence on display. He sat up, giving me his full focus. When we locked eyes, the room felt like it had stood still.
I had his full attention.
And, of course, that’s when it happened.
The floor beneath me shifted—or maybe my balance failed after so many drinks—but suddenly, my heel slid out from under me, and before I could catch myself, I was falling.
Straight into El’s lap.
A sharp inhale escaped, and strong hands caught me, one gripping my waist, the other firm on my thigh. The heat of his skin seeped into mine. His chest was solid beneath my palms as I grabbed onto his shirt for balance.
I looked up. His gaze flickered down.
“Well.” His voice was low, teasing. “Didn’t know that was part of the seduction.”
I swallowed as my cheeks heated in embarrassment. “Shut up. That was an accident.”
His fingers flexed against my waist, just enough to make my stomach tighten. I expected him to laugh but was pleasantly surprised when he didn’t. “It’s those heels. I’m surprised you didn’t twist an ankle.”
I sat back, steadying myself on his lap before speaking.
“That or the drinks,” I mumbled.
That made him chuckle, and the rough vibrations shook me slightly. Then, we locked eyes again, and the vibrations stopped. The club kept moving around us, music pounding and lights flashing. But at that moment, I wasn’t thinking about the music, or the people, or the drinks I’d had.
Just him.
And the fact that I should’ve moved.
I should’ve laughed it off. Said something funny and teasing—made it nothing.
But I didn’t.
His grip stayed firm, fingers pressing into my waist like he wasn’t sure if he should let go or pull me closer. My heart was pounding, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the fall or from the way his thumb brushed absentmindedly over my hip.
I licked my lips, and El’s gaze dropped to watch.
Shit.
His grip tightened like he was steadying himself. “Ellie…”
The way he said my name sent a shiver through me. Rough, almost hesitant. Like he was giving me a second chance to move, to stop this from happening.
