4. I Hadn’t Even Seen Him Naked #3
It didn’t take me long, tied up with this man on the dance floor, to realize that Rowan could dance .
Not that we were on the floor trying to tango or ballroom dance or anything of the sort.
But the man had rhythm. Three songs in, and I was ready to strip my clothes off and drop for him.
Ivy’s suggestion from the night before slid into my brain and just would not leave—the thoughts of his hands in my hair, and me wearing nothing but this damn hat.
What was it about dancing with this man that was so erotic?
We were just doing partner line dancing.
Was it supposed to be so sexual? Maybe it was the fact that every time he spun me, his hand grazed my lower back against my bare skin—always just above where my jeans and fishnets stopped.
Or when we went for a dip, or he caught me from a spin, we immediately locked eyes.
As if my brain couldn’t look anywhere but there, into the eyes that were equally undressing me as I undressed him right back.
That deep sapphire gaze of his was doing things to my subconscious.
The next song was a slow one. Which I should’ve been excited about, because oh my cardio—until I realized that meant we’d be slow dancing.
Together. For about three and a half minutes.
Which felt like an eternity, especially where my self-control was concerned.
I wasn’t even sure why I was controlling myself at this point.
If the heat behind those deep blue eyes of his was any indication, I wasn’t alone in those feelings.
He clearly wanted me just as much as I wanted him, so what was my problem again? Deep down, I knew what my problem was, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to face that just yet.
Rowan took my left hand into his right and pulled me closer.
His opposite hand was sitting against my lower back; our bare skin pressed against each other.
Again. As we swayed slightly to the music, I could feel my entire body heating up to the point of explosion.
Had I ever felt like this before? Even just looking at this man felt different. It felt more…real.
“You’re not so bad at this, ya know.” He had a pleased smile on his face as if he was truly proud of me and not just complimenting me to flirt.
I felt a blush creep up my neck and cheeks. Hopefully, he couldn’t tell with the lighting of the dance floor. With my pale skin, it was normally easy to see, even in the dark.
“Oh, well, you know. Ivy taught me last night, and you’re a great lead. So yeah. Nothing too hard,” I mumbled with a shrug. As if the shrug would just bump away the clear embarrassment on my part at his compliments, he seemed determined to shower me in.
I peeked back up towards his face, and he was smiling down at me still.
I swear that drop-dead gorgeous grin of his hadn’t left his face once tonight.
“You’re not that great at taking a compliment, are you?
” He shook his head slightly, disbelief clear in his tone.
“Partner line dancing can be really challenging. Especially in the beginning. Following someone’s lead?
Trusting them not to drop you or mislead you?
It takes some people quite a while to get that and flow well together.
But we’re dancing like we’ve been doing so for years. ”
I swallowed nervously. “Oh. Well, in that case, like I said. You’re a great lead, and I just…follow well.” I shrugged again.
“I have a feeling you only follow where you want to be led, Aspen,” he said quietly, and then he spun me before pulling me back in close against his chest.
The blush was back. Did it ever leave? Who knows.
Good lord, this man. Was he trying to break me?
I’d never been talked to or looked at this way, and I genuinely didn’t know what to do with it.
Was he serious? Was he just trying to get in my pants?
Did I want to let him in my pants? Maybe I should.
Just get it done and over with. See what it was like.
I’d never been with anyone except Sam. So maybe I should experience more sexually for a bit. Nothing serious. Nothing long-lasting. Some tension blown off, and then my art. I could do that. Right? Was I talking myself into this right now? Quite possibly.
“You look deep in thought down there,” Rowan whispered. “What’s going through that beautiful head of yours?”
I cleared my throat and looked back up at him. “How do you feel about casual sex?” Just going in to rip the band-aid off apparently.
He stared at me for a moment; his eyebrow slightly arched in question. “I typically only go for casual sex. But I’m not sure if that answer was what you wanted to hear or not.”
I giggled, suddenly less nervous about this conversation.
He was worried about being honest with me—it was sort of adorable.
“Nope. Casual sex is perfect. I’ll be honest with you, Rowan.
I got out of a relationship before I moved here, and he was…
it was…it was a lot. I don’t want anything serious.
” I looked away for a moment, chewing on my bottom lip, before continuing quietly.
“I can’t do anything serious. Not with anyone. ”
He nodded, a serious look on his face. “Casual, it is, Aspen. Whatever you need.”
“Okay, perfect. So did you drive here?”
He laughed. “Oh, we’re doing this right now? Well then, let’s go, little angel.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me back to the bar to pay our tab.
“Oh, let me say bye to Ivy!” I looked around the bar for her, but realized she wasn’t on the dance floor anymore.
“She left a while ago.” He smirked and leaned down closer to my ear. “She waved to you, but I guess you were a little busy staring longingly into my eyes.”
I knew from the smile growing on his face, he could tell I was blushing. Again. “Oh. Well. I guess I’ll just text her.”
Just then, the announcer came over the speakers of the bar. “As of now, our couples dancing contest has ended! The winners this evening are the notorious Rowan Carragan and the lovely Aspen Woodluck!”
I looked over at Rowan as he immediately broke into a fit of laughter. “Well, Ms. Woodluck. Let’s go get our prize and celebrate.” He winked at me, and that was the moment I realized I was in deep shit with this man, and I hadn’t even seen him naked yet.