The Dance Off

“Seriously?” she blurted, fatally rapt that he’d remembered the time, the date, everything. She couldn’t remember another time in her life when anyone cared enough to ask, at least not someone not competing against her for a part.

Then Ryder was there, his hands sliding around her waist, and she let go of the slippery post to hold his elbows. Tight. The familiar scent of him mingled with the rain in the air and she breathed it in deep. The heat of him coursed through her and her pulse thrummed right down deep.

“So?” he asked.

“Hmm?”

“The audition?”

“Right. Of course. It was...fabulous. I didn’t want it to end. And they liked it. And me. And...well, that about covers it!”

His eyes roved over her face as she spoke, such intensity, such desire she near lost her train of thought. Then, eyes on hers, he slid a hand over her hair, coming up with a damp tendril. He wrapped it around a finger and tugged. “And the ex?”

Her skin, already feeling a size too small, zinged from his touch. “Still a douche.”

He laughed, the deep sound rumbling through her, coiling the tension inside her tighter still. “And to think I’d been worried the guy’d take one look at you and fall to his knees and beg to have you back.”

He’d been worried? Nadia felt so light-headed at the thought she figured she was way too low on electrolytes. But first she slid her hands up Ryder’s big arms, over his strong shoulders, and she said, “He could beg all he likes. He’s never getting me back.”

He lifted his chin in acquiescence. “Good... For you,” he added as an afterthought. “So how’s your stamina, now the big match is over?”

That brought a grin to Nadia’s face as she lifted onto her toes and pressed her mouth to his. The touch of their lips was gentle, tender even, as if they were relearning one another after their time apart. So tender her heart felt as if it was beating in her belly, emotion tightened the back of her throat, and she was pretty sure she’d begun to tremble.

Feelings tumbling through her like a waterfall over a craggy rock wall, Nadia tipped so high onto her toes she was practically en pointe. Then, though she wouldn’t have thought it possible, when he held a soft hand at the back of her head the kiss grew deeper, more connected, and infinitely more precious.

Was it raining harder? Who knew? Who cared?

Wanting more, craving all, needing relief from the knots of pleasure twisting in her belly, she opened her mouth and Ryder took complete advantage. His tongue slid against hers, slowly, gently, but with absolute intent. When his tongue slid cruelly away, her teeth sank into his bottom lip in retribution, hard enough he hissed in a sharp breath.

Nadia stilled, while the heat continued to pour through her. Then with a groan Ryder swept his mouth over hers, enveloped her in his strong arms and kissed her till she saw stars.

Relearning done. This they knew how to do.

Her hands were beneath his jacket, sliding up the long flat muscles of his back, which twitched beautifully at her touch. Then with something akin to a roar he lifted her into his arms. She let out a loud whoop of surprise and held on tight—her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist.

“Keys?” he demanded.

“Back pocket.”

His hand slid over her butt cheek until he found the necessary. Then, while she held on tight, laughing raggedly, breathlessly, by that stage, Ryder made his way to the door that led to her apartment and struggled manfully to unlock the thing, practically tearing the bars from their hinges as he let them inside.

And then Nadia’s laughter disappeared as—compared to the bright shimmery light outside—they hit relative darkness. The naked globe at the top of the skinny stairs swept shadows across their faces, and the sounds of their intermingled breaths echoed off the old wallpapered walls.

Yet, even then there was no denying the hunger in Ryder’s gaze.

Or the sudden dazzling wish in her heart that somehow it didn’t have to end.

Nadia closed her eyes tight against the daze and kissed him. Out of sight of the rain and sky, away from prying eyes, just the two of them in the private contained space, the intensity of the kiss heightened. Deepened. Bringing with it an ache from where the wish had been born.

Nadia wriggled from Ryder’s arms, and proceeded to tear her clothes from her body. Her frustration only built when it turned out the rain had stuck the cotton to her like glue.

“Oh, come on!” she cried out when her bra strap got caught on the strap of her top and held her like a straightjacket.

Ryder lifted her bodily till she was a stair above. Then, face level with hers, he placed his big hands on her bare waist. Her muscles leapt at the skin-on-skin contact. His thumbs circled the edge of her ribs, his dark eyes following. She couldn’t have been more glad that his eyes were anywhere but on hers, as there was no way she could hide the foolish feelings rushing about inside her, and no way she wanted him to see.