Chapter 13
Iwanted to bite Drew’s ass, but I resisted.
Only because of our fun little boundaries and stuff.
“You made it.” I pushed off the brick exterior wall I was waiting by, appreciating how his eyes were already admiring the skimpy little black dress I wore for the occasion.
I wanted him to understand exactly what he was missing out on by choosing to edge me instead. While I was fine with him waiting to be physical, this felt more like a game of chicken. Who could go the longest without giving in to what we both obviously wanted?
“My, my.” As he approached, he leaned in to press his lips to my cheek. He was only a little taller than me, but still, I couldn’t deny the thrill in my chest from the visual of him standing tall next to me. Making me tilt my gaze up just enough.
“Wow.” I crossed my arms and took in his outfit. More slacks and a cream button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. “You look so good every time I see you.”
He didn’t respond with a thank you. Instead, he groaned and said, “How dare you look so tempting.” His brown gaze briefly dipped to my cleavage, amplified by my crossed arms.
Got him.
“I’m glad you’re going to suffer a little tonight.” I grinned as I took his hand in mine, “Let’s see how well you move.”
Drew grinned at me and squeezed my hand as I pulled him into the club.
Dancing was my favorite form of exercise.
It was a talent my foster mother helped me nourish during the remaining year of high school that Audrey and I shared with her.
She helped me get on the dance team and determine which groups and clubs outside of school were worth my time.
She helped me study choreography and gave me the support and space I needed when I wanted to practice.
The garage of her home transformed into a makeshift dance studio, and I had always been grateful to her for helping me learn to dance with confidence.
This club, however, was a little different.
“You made it!” Trey smiled as I pulled Drew onto the main floor, where everyone was already gathered. The walls were lined with red velvet and gold, giving the space an old-timey feel.
“Yes, and I brought a date.” I gestured toward Drew. “Drew, this is Trey, the head of the company.” Drew held his hand out and gently shook Trey’s hand. When Drew squeezed, Trey winced a little and pulled his hand free.
“Pleasure,” Drew greeted him.
God, he was so formal all the time.
“Can I admit something?” Trey smiled up at Drew with a conspiratorial look.
“I’m hoping you’re a horrible dancer and that Van will take me back.
” Trey winked at me as Drew smiled politely at him.
The blond-haired man was only five seven, a few inches shorter than me.
He was also an excellent dance partner. We usually had a lot of fun on improv nights like this one.
But Trey knew I was testing a guy out; seeing if he could pass a vibe check.
Could Drew have fun? Was he able to keep up with me, even if dancing wasn’t his strong suit?
How would he feel with the peer pressure to perform on the spot?
Would he get upset if he messed up, or would he go with the flow?
“She won’t,” Drew replied, and while I usually didn’t love the domineering assholes, something about his confidence sent a thrill through me.
Trey grinned at me before clapping his hands and announcing the start of improv night. Drew smirked at me, and the flutter in my chest from his handsome grin made me practically bounce on the balls of my feet.
“I’ll lead,” I told Drew when I pulled him out onto the floor.
“If you must,” he replied, tightening his hold on my hand. The music started, and it was a popular radio hit. It wasn’t one specific genre, but a mix of a few; the main genre the song built on was Latin. Guiding Drew’s hand to my waist and the other to my palm, I locked eyes with him.
“Ready?” I asked him. Instead of voicing a response, he tightened his hold and pulled me flush against his hard body.
The move flustered me. I could feel the heat of him against my entire front, but I leaned into it.
My body came alive from the contact, even with our clothes protecting us.
I narrowed my eyes at him, and his eyes flared in response, as if he knew exactly how my body reacted to him.
Without another word, I led him into a dance.
And the man could dance. He followed my lead but took over when he wanted to experiment with a move.
He was showing off, and the two of us earned several cheers and claps from Trey and other regulars.
Our dancing slowly became a competition of sorts, because when I turned around to gently roll my hips against his, he would respond by dragging his large, warm hands up and down my waist, across my pelvis, lighting me up from the inside out.
He had a hard-on for most of the night, but it stayed hidden because our bodies were practically glued together for two hours straight.
Whenever I started to feel like I was getting the upper hand, listening to his breath catch and feeling his heart rapidly race in his chest, he would throw me off by pulling me close and whispering unexpected Get-To-Know-You questions in my ear.
“How do you like your coffee?” was the first question he murmured against me, making me laugh a little at how casual his questions were versus how sensual our dancing was.
“As long as it’s in my mouth, I’m a happy woman,” I replied just below his earlobe. He would groan, and we’d dance, and then he’d try to distract me again.
“What color brings you the most joy?” It was an odd way to ask what my favorite color was. What was even more odd was the visual my brain conjured up of golden eyes paired with dark, blood red hair.
“Y-Yellow,” I stuttered out. Drew pressed me against his erection again, allowing me to roll my ass against him once, twice, before he adjusted our bodies and kept talking.
“Mine is green,” he murmured against me. Like my eyes, I thought. “What is your favorite instrument to play?”
“Drums, I—” I turned around to lift a brow at him. “Why do you assume I know how to play more than one?” He smirked, pulling me back against his body again.
“You come alive under music, Vanessa.” He trailed his finger down my jaw. “Any man with eyes can see that, and assume your skillset is vast.” I tucked my lips between my teeth, fighting a full-body blush.
“I see.” The conversation stalled for a little bit, the songs changing, our dancing styles adjusting, but throughout it all, Drew kept up with me.
He wasn’t panting from exhaustion; he was just meeting me exactly where I was.
Trey gave me several eyebrow wiggles from across the room, clearly impressed with Drew’s moves.
I was on cloud nine. Dancing with a handsome, fit man who was confident and made me feel like a woman.
Whose touch made my skin sizzle in the best way.
Someone who liked the idea of making whatever was happening between us last, instead of a “fuck and release.” Perhaps he was just stringing me along, and I realized in that moment that I would be okay with that.
That whatever time I got to spend with Drew would be worth it, because I couldn’t remember the last time that I was this excited about a man. When I had this much fun with a man.
I even answered his random questions.
“Favorite flower?”
“Am I boring if I say all of them?”
“Do you like spending time in nature?”
“As long as some form of plumbing is available, yes.”
“Do you prefer sweet or savory desserts?”
“Both—but mostly sweet.”
“Do you love that you’re making me have to hide my arousal behind your perfect ass?”
“I do. I really do.”
“You’ve been smiling and humming all morning,” Audrey noted around a mouthful of cereal. I grinned at her and swung my hips side to side, happily recalling my date the night before.
“I’m crushing so hard, you have no idea,” I proudly admitted. I turned around to sit at the folding table with her, my freshly brewed coffee accompanying me. I took a deep and satisfying pull of the drink before setting the mug down and grinning.
I even went as far as to cup my hands on my cheeks and give a little squeal.
“Oh my god. I’ve never seen you act like this over a man.” Audrey placed a hand on her heart.
“I know.” I flattened my hands and rested them under my chin. “But he’s perfect.”
“Tell me everything,” Audrey ordered as she shoved another spoonful of cereal in her mouth.
“Well, first, he’s an excellent dancer.” As I spoke, I started listing things off on my fingers.
“He totally matched my energy during the improv. When I went goofy, so did he. When I tried to throw him off, he seemed to anticipate it and adjusted. When I went sensual and seductive, he was right behind me.” I winked at her after that, which made her cackle.
“I love when men can have fun without feeling self-conscious,” Audrey added.
“That’s exactly it!” I said, remembering his laugh as I pulled out the sprinkler move near the end of the night. “He and I just had so much fun. It’s been so long since, I don’t know, I just had fun with someone.”
Audrey’s smile faltered at that, but before I could question her about it, she recovered and asked, “And you still aren’t even kissing?”
“No.” I frowned, but then I couldn’t help myself, and a grin spread across my cheeks again. “Not on the mouth, at least.” Audrey choked on her cereal and pounded her chest with her fist.
I laughed at her until she recovered and asked, “Where did he kiss you?” Her hazel eyes glanced down, where my legs rested under the table.