An American Cinderella

“I don’t actually know how to do anything but the waltz,” I whispered, quickly reaching down and grabbing my skirt so I wouldn’t trip as we danced.

“Then it’s a good thing that’s what we’re dancing,” Henry teased. “Just relax and keep your feet moving.”

He used his fingertips on my back to guide me while his other hand steered. It was easy to follow his lead and keep the simple one-two-three pattern. For a moment, I actually felt like I could actually be considered a dancer.

“You’re doing great,” he whispered, spinning me around the room. “And I don’t mean just the dancing.”

“Your family seems very nice,” I replied. “I hope they like me.”

“My mother does,” he said with a smile. “And she’s the one that matters.”

“I care more that you like me.” I looked up into his mask, seeing only his beautiful blue eyes.

He stopped the dance.

“Very much, Aria.” He reached out and smoothed a loose strand of hair back behind my ear. “Very much.”

My heart and stomach did happy flips that had me grinning from ear to ear. Even though I knew he liked me, I loved hearing it.

He glanced around the room and I could see his two brothers and mother having a conversation. From the way they kept glancing in our direction, but pointedly trying not to make eye contact with Henry or me, I assumed it was about the two of us.

“Come with me,” Henry said. “Let’s find somewhere a little more private.”

I grinned as he grabbed my hand and together we escaped the room full of watching eyes.

Chapter 24

We ran through the halls of the club, giggling and laughing as we went. My skirt flew behind me as I followed Henry up a flight of stairs.

He checked down the long hallway and, seeing it empty, turned and put his hand to the side of my neck and pressed me against the wall for a kiss. My body melted into his, his hands hot on my skin. His face was smooth with a recent shave. He smelled like clean soap and something masculine and musky.

I couldn’t get enough. I loved the way his hands felt on me. I loved the way the uniform fit his broad shoulders and trim waist as he kept me close to him. I loved being pressed into the wall and caught in his arms.

I couldn’t stop kissing him. He was the breath in my lungs and the song in my heart.

He paused, his smile lighting up the dark hallway.

“How did I get so lucky?” he asked, pressing a soft kiss to my jaw. He reached up and carefully took my mask from my face.

“I’m the lucky one,” I replied. I took the mask from his face, revealing his bright smile. “Did you see my hot date?”

The door to the hallway opened and party guests stepped out. Henry took a polite step back, giving the illusion that we were simply standing in the hallway chatting. Breathless and flushed, but simply standing.

The couple looked at us, their eyes going wide for a moment before security came into the hallway. Men in black suits escorted the guests back out.

“Will you come with me? There’s a garden on the roof,” Henry said, taking my hand.

“Of course.” I smiled at him but looked down the hallway. Why didn’t security have us leave the hallway as well? I thought. Maybe they just didn’t see us.

Henry took my hand and led me up to the top of the building. It was quiet here. Only the faintest whispers of the party downstairs filtered out. We stepped out a heavy metallic door and out into the moonlit night.

The garden was still just beginning to grow. Bulb flowers of tulips and daffodils filled the pots with color, but the summer depth of growth hadn’t yet taken over. The ground was fresh with newly planted seedlings. The scent of fresh dirt and sunshine still filled the rooftop even as the moon shone down on us.

I shivered, the night air cold on my bare shoulders with only the sunshine scent but not the heat.

“Here,” Henry said, slipping off his dress coat and draping it over me. The jacket held his warmth like a gentle caress. I tucked my chin into the jacket as I drew it around me, breathing in the scent of him.

I looked over at him. The moonlight shone off his beautiful golden-red hair and made his eyes sparkle. Without his coat, he wore a military style dress shirt and I could see the hint of muscles through it. He was so damn handsome it made my heart hurt just to look at him.