Easton inches his body closer to mine as we sync and mold into one against the wall. His hands come up to my face and his finger grazes my left cheek. I catch myself staring into his bright blue eyes, unable to turn away. His chiseled jaw clenches as his head inches closer and closer to mine. His right hand tangles with mine as he squeezes, pulling it behind my back, causing my body to arch forward.
His soft lips inch closer to mine and a low whisper escapes. “Hi.”
My frozen body stills in place between him and the wall. I lick the dryness out of my lips just before he crashes his into mine. The taste of him is nothing like I’ve tasted before. Our lips press against one another with a fiery force to be reckoned with. A heated frenzy courses through my body as I wrap my arms around his neck. He senses my eagerness and pushes his mouth further into mine. His tongue dives in and I taste the remnants of his last drink. His hands glide all over my body, starting from the base of my neck and all the way down to my thighs. My skin tingles at the touch of his. We continue to kiss in that same spot, never pausing, not even for a breath of fresh air. His lips return to kissing the exposed part of my neck and as they touch my skin, my stomach churns with a sensual heat. After a couple minutes, Easton takes a step back, releasing me off the wall, but still holding my hand.
We stare at one another in a comfortable silence, just offering a smile. Easton turns to lead me back to the dance floor. As we pass the bar, I notice Gia talking to Brad and give her a small wave. She flashes a bright smile and gives me a thumbs up.
As we make our way to the dance floor, Easton wraps his arms around me, pulling my chest against his. The bass of the music rumbles around us as we dance to the beat. I put my arms around his neck and lean my body into his. His lips crash into mine as we sway on the crowded dance floor. As our lips graze, our bodies grind against each other as the heat rises.
The dancing continues for another two hours and Easton has yet to leave my side. Once in a while, I glance around for Gia, making sure she is within my eyes’ reach.
I glance around the dance floor, noticing it is starting to empty out. Easton and I are still in each other’s embrace when Gia sneaks up behind us and motions toward the bar.
The dancing stops as I step out of Easton’s grasp to talk to Gia. “Hey.”
She looks us up and down and arches her brow. “You two having fun?”
Easton answers, “And then some.”
A snort escapes as Gia flashes me a smile.
Gia hands me my clutch. “The club is about to close so we should start heading home.”
Easton and I follow her out into the Brooklyn streets. Within seconds she hails a cab and starts to climb in.
I turn around to say goodbye to Easton but he grabs my hand. “Actually, I’d like to take Melanie home if that’s all right.”
Gia steps out of the cab, looking at him and then me. “It’s up to you.”
I hesitate. “But, what about you? You can’t go home alone.”
Gia shakes her head and nods back inside the club. “Oh I won’t. I’ve been eyeing that sexy bartender all evening.”
Easton chimes in, “Well then it’s settled.”
Gia reaches over to give me a reassuring hug. She must have sensed my unease. She whispers, “Go get him,” and kisses my cheek.
My arms squeeze around her body as I plant a soft kiss on her cheek. “Thank you.”
Gia lets go and waves to Easton. “See ya on Monday.”
He nods his head. “Yup. Hey, thanks for the invite tonight.”
As she turns back toward the club, she calls out, “Oh don’t thank me just yet.”
******
Easton and I have a normal cab ride home. He holds my hand and rubs my neck, but nothing else. It’s a relaxing calmness, which I desperately need. My emotions have been all over the place tonight and now’s the perfect time to start winding down. Easton tells me about his residency at the hospital and his life growing up in Phoenix.
As he speaks about his early life, I study his lips down to the last curve. As I listen to him speak, my body calms with sleepiness. It’s taken a beating today. My heavy eyelids threaten to close but I force them to stay open. Easton notices my tiredness and pulls me closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder.
The cab pulls to a stop, causing me to open my eyes and realize that I must have slept through the rest of the ride home.
I lift off of Easton as he pays the cab driver. “Oh shit. I’m sorry.”
He chuckles. “No worries.”
He exits the cab and walks around, opening my door and motioning for me to step out. Smooth. The cab speeds off into the Manhattan night as we make our way inside the apartment building. Easton follows me up the stairs to my apartment.