Chapter 5
Chapter Five
A ntonio’s gaze traveled over her hourglass figure, loving the natural sway of her shapely hips as she got closer. When she was within reach, a smile kicked up the corners of his lips. At around five feet eight, she appeared taller tonight thanks to several inches that her high heels gave her. When she stopped in front of him, they weren’t quiet eye to eye, but it wouldn’t take much to bend down and kiss her gorgeous red lips.
“Hi,” she said, barely audible. “Martina said you wanted to talk to me.”
Despite his reservations about MJ getting involved in his business, he was going to have to thank her. He might also have to thank the DJ, too, since he slowed down the music. “Let Me Love You,” a slow jam by Mario, played through the speakers. It was perfect timing. He wouldn’t be surprised if Martina was behind that too.
“Dance with me,” Antonio said. Not giving her a chance to decline, he reached for Scarlett’s hand and gently tugged her toward the dance floor. He skirted around groups of people until they reached it.
Showing off some of his dance moves, he spun her, then dipped her before pulling her into his arms.
“Sure, I’ll dance with you,” she said sarcastically and chuckled.
Antonio grinned down at her. “I appreciate that.”
He held Scarlett’s right hand cradled against his chest while his other arm tightened around her narrow waist and snuggled her close. As the smooth melody filled the crowded space, they swayed to the beat.
This was what he’d wanted all evening. Maybe all his life. Her, fitting perfectly in his arms, pressed against his body. They stared into each other’s eyes, and it was as if everyone around them faded away.
“I never would’ve guessed you were such a good dancer,” she said and rested her head against his shoulder.
“I’m full of surprises,” Antonio said, but in all honesty, he really wasn’t. He was a routine type of guy, but his orderly life had served him well.
He inhaled Scarlett’s delicate scent and hummed along as they swayed to the sensual beat. Having her snug against him, her firm breasts pressed into his chest heightened every nerve in his body. Holding her so close had him wound tighter than an extension spring keeping a bed together, and he wanted more. Not just from her, but also for his life. He worked ridiculous hours, and even more since he had taken a break from dating, but Scarlett made him want to live a little.
He spun her again and pulled her back into his arms, then whispered close to her ear, “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you earlier. I would never intentionally do anything to make you uncomfortable.”
She leaned her head back slightly as they continued swaying. When she smiled, something brightened inside of him, and heat soared through his body. “I wasn’t uncomfortable. Shocked maybe, but not uncomfortable. The kiss was sweet and tender.”
That made him smile down at her. Staring into her beautiful brown eyes had his pulse pounding a little faster. Being this close to her, holding and touching her had his body stirring with need. But he promised himself he would take things as slow as necessary with Scarlett. Something was holding her back, and he hoped one day she would trust him enough to tell him. That was assuming he didn’t scare her away before then.
“You should smile more often,” she said, laying her head back against his shoulder as another slow song started.
“I will as long as you’re in my life,” he said.
Scarlett slowed, probably surprised by his response, but Antonio didn’t release her, forcing her to keep moving. The words had tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them. Yet, they were true. When he was around her, or even just the sight of her, brought him a certain joy that he didn’t feel with anyone else.
Yes, it sounded crazy, but the more he thought about it, he realized her presence in his life had opened a part of him which he usually kept closed off from others. She made him happy.
When the slow song ended, and a faster one started, Antonio guided her off the dance floor. She didn’t pull away, and he would count that as a win.
“Thanks for the dance,” he said close to her ear when they stood off to the side.
“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it.” She glanced at the slim watch on her wrist. “I think I should head out. It was good seeing you today. Are we still on for the concert next Saturday?”
“Of course,” he said quickly. He couldn’t wait to have her to himself. Spending time with her over the last couple of days was nice, but they’d been surrounded by their families. Saturday, it would be just the two of them.
“I’ll walk you out.” With a hand at the small of her back, he escorted her out into the hallway. Noting that the area was clear, Antonio backed her against a nearby wall.
With wide eyes, Scarlett stared up at him. It wasn’t fear he saw, but surprise and desire radiating in her dark orbs. Probably what she saw in his. The urge to kiss her was stronger than he had ever felt for any other woman in his life.
Let her know your intentions . Martina’s words rattled inside his head.
Despite that other voice in the back of his mind, insisting this woman was the one for him, Antonio wasn’t a hundred percent sure of his intentions. Not exactly.
“What are you doing?” Scarlett whispered as her hands gripped his biceps in a death grip.
“Probably making a big mistake, but…”
Antonio let his words trail off and wasted no time in covering her lips with his. She gasped into his mouth, but a second later, she kissed him back with an urgency that matched his.
When he had followed her out of the ballroom, this hadn’t been the plan. He had wanted to spend more time with her and make sure they were cool about what happened earlier.
But this…
Now that he was tasting her, Antonio didn’t want to stop.
One of his hands moved to the back of her neck while the other went to her hip as he deepened their connection. It was easy to get swept away by the sweetness of her lips and the sensual moans she was making as their tongues tangled. Desire thrummed through his veins as their kiss became more needy… frantic.
They’d been on a few dates, and he had kissed her after each one. A platonic peck on the lips or on the cheek, but this? It had been nothing like this. The taste of her, the feel of her softness pressed against him, and the heady scent of her perfume were dizzying—in a good way.
Neither of them could deny their attraction to each other. Yet, the sparks igniting within Antonio had him believing this was much more than attraction. They had a connection. An explosive connection like no other.
He wanted her.
He wanted her in every way a man could want a woman, and if this kiss was any indication, she wanted him too.
As soon as that last thought filled his mind, Scarlett suddenly jerked her mouth from his and gasped. Her eyes, wide with shock, met his as she backed up, only to bump into the wall. “I—I… We shouldn’t have, well I shouldn’t have… Shoot, I have to go. I’ll call you.”
She pulled away before Antonio could get his body under control and blood back to his brain. With her long dress hiked up, Scarlett ran down the hallway as if being chased by an assailant.
What the hell just happened ? One minute they were kissing and exploring each other’s mouths, and the next—
Laughter came from behind him, and Antonio closed his eyes and groaned. He didn’t have to look over his shoulder to know who was standing behind him.
“Way to make your intentions known, Cuz. But next time maybe try not to freak her out and have her running for the hills.”
He whipped around and growled. “MJ, I’m going to kill you. How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to catch you two moaning and groaning. Yuuuck .” She gave a mock shiver. “Couldn’t you have found a more secluded spot?” she said as she sauntered down the hall in the opposite direction laughing wickedly.
That stupid laugh always meant trouble, and of all the people to catch him getting better acquainted with Scarlett, why’d it have to be Martina? Why couldn’t it be anybody but her? He was never going to hear the end of it.
Sighing, Antonio rubbed the back of his neck as he glanced in the direction that Scarlett had gone.
So much for not scaring her off .