19. Sexy As Hell
SEXY AS HELL
AIDEN
Chantel steps in front of me and slides her hand into mine.
Disappointment surges through me as I tear my gaze away from Tara’s retreating back, looking down at the blonde woman in front of me. There’s no denying the glimmer of annoyance in her expression.
“Wasn’t that one of the women from dance class?” she asks, placing her other hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah. We work together,” I respond, guiding her into the next dance while keeping space between our bodies.
“Oh, I guess that explains why you were dancing with her then.” Something about her tone sends a prickle down my spine, but I shrug, so she continues. “It’s so nice to find a guy who knows how to dance. Other than Rafael, but he’s always dancing with Danika, obviously.”
I’d learned on Thursday evening that Chantel is Danika’s younger sister and helping as a backup instructor.
“I don’t know. Looking around, I can see plenty of guys who can dance,” I remark, and she smiles.
“I meant from class. I expected to be dealing with novices, so it’s nice to have someone to dance with at the end that I don’t have to lead.”
I get the feeling she’s going to be expecting my undivided attention whenever there’s dancing involved, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.
She’s attractive, but I’d joined the class to make new friends, and the last thing I want is to be seen as the teacher’s pet.
And, after that brief dance with Tara, a part of me can’t wait to dance with her again.
If I’m honest, that three minutes was the most intense dance I’ve ever had, and my body is still fighting off the attraction it stirred up.
Noticing Tara and her friends have disappeared, I try to push aside the sinking feeling in my gut, attempting instead to focus on dancing with Chantel.
We continue dancing for a few more songs, and when the DJ announces that he’s only playing one more song, she pouts. “Damn. Wanna grab a drink after?”
I hesitate briefly before nodding. The last thing I want to do is lead her on, but I figure one drink can’t hurt. And it beats going home to my empty apartment.
Once the song finishes, I follow her to the table she and a few of her friends had taken over with their belongings. She introduces me to them, taking a seat, and I let out a small sigh of relief when I realise it’s not going to be just the two of us.
“So, Aiden, you’re pretty good. What are you doing in a beginner’s class?” Sunny, a petite woman with pink streaks in her black hair, turns her intense gaze towards me.
“I was handed a flyer when I came to check this place out after a friend recommended it to me. I figured the class would be a good way to meet people without being some weird guy lurking around,” I reply, hoping I sound charming rather than creepy.
“You’re new in town?” Chantel asks, cocking her head to the side.
I nod, ignoring the urge to remind her I told her that the other night. She doesn’t strike me as someone who is too interested in others unless it serves her own agenda.
“Yeah, moved from London just over a month ago. I’m from Sydney originally, though.”
“I thought I detected a British accent. You should definitely make sure you keep that. It’s sexy as hell,” Sunny says.
I feel my face heat up, and I cough a little to cover my embarrassment. “Uh, thanks?”
“It’s nice to have some fresh meat around here.”
Fresh meat?
I don’t know how to respond to that comment, but it’s clear from the way the conversation continues without me I’m not expected to take part any further. The two of them, along with their friend Diana, a leggy blonde, begin talking about people they know. More like gossiping, actually.
I quietly finish my drink before getting to my feet. “I’m going to head off.”
Chantel pouts again. “So soon? Okay.” She gathers her things. “I’ll see you ladies later,” she says to her friends, while I stare at her.
Did I miss something? Why is she acting like we came together?
Not knowing how to respond, I allow her to fall into step beside me.
“So, where’s home?” she asks, placing a hand on my arm.
“Kangaroo Point,” I reply.
“Oh, that’s nice and close.”
I honestly have no idea what is going through her mind, so I clear my throat. “Yeah. Can I walk you to your car, or something?”
She peers at me for a moment, the hint of annoyance I saw earlier returning.
But it disappears as she shakes her head. “No, that’s okay. I stayed in after work, so I’m just going to catch an Uber home.”
I decide not to point out that she hasn’t requested a car. I’m pretty sure she thought she was coming home with me, but that is definitely not happening.
I say goodbye to her at the taxi rank and let out a relieved sigh once I’m alone again. Perhaps my empty apartment isn’t so bad, after all.
Deciding to walk home, my thoughts wander while I head down to Howard Smith Wharves to catch the lift up again, deciding to take the longer way to clear my head.
I’d really hoped that after our walk home last week that Tara and I had reached a new understanding, but it almost seems like she’s avoiding me even more now.
It probably doesn’t help that we keep running into each other, but those were all coincidences.
If anything, it shows we have shared interests and could actually be friends.
Although, who am I kidding? If I’m honest with myself, I don’t want to just be friends with Tara.
The attraction that I’d felt for her from that very first night is still going strong.
I’d never held much stock in the whole ‘you only want what you can’t have’ mindset, but what other explanation is there for my feelings?
Clearly, I’m just a sucker for punishment.