Caught in Us (Lost 3)

I chuckle, twirling a strand of hair between my fingers. "That's a giant step."

"A dance?" Damon holds out his hand, giving a theatrical bow as if inviting me to a turn-of-the-century dance.

"That would be nice," I say. "Let's stay here, though. There are too many people in the other room."

"I was going to suggest the same. I like it here. It's more...intimate."

The moment I place my hand in his, he pulls me to him, twirling me around until I'm no longer facing him. He pulls my hips against his with such force that he steals my breath away. I try—and fail—not to think about the fact that my bum presses on his crotch as we start moving to the inviting rhythm of the music. Intimate, indeed.

"Relax, Dani," he whispers in my ear. Every muscle in my body surrenders to his command, liquefying. I give myself to him, allowing him to guide my moves, to own my body. His fingers descend from my hips, intertwining with my fingers. The skin-on-skin touch is electrifying, zipping through me and awakening every inch of me. His grasp tightens as we lower ourselves toward the floor during the refrain, then rise back up, our hips glued to each other the entire time. I've always found this move a challenge for everyone who has mediocre coordination skills—like me. Somehow, I know Damon will never let me fall. Pushing my hair to one side, he bares my neck to him. I think he might kiss me there. His breath on my skin and the proximity of his lips drive me crazy with anticipation. I know I’ll combust the second his lips touch my neck. Except they don't. Such a tease. But two can play at this game, so I start moving more provocatively, pressing myself more into him as we dance. The effect is immediate; his breaths come out in short, intense puffs. I continue my ministrations, relishing when a deep groan reverberates from his chest.

It gives me a weird sense of power to know that I can undo him this way. The music changes, the rhythm becoming even more inviting and the lyrics so explicit they make me blush.

"Dani, stop." He twirls me around. His eyes are hooded with desire, their electrifying green a few shades darker. "You can't do this, or I'll come in my pants."

I giggle, tugging at my lip. "That's how everyone around us is dancing."

"Well, maybe they've gotten more action than I have in the last year. My right hand isn't much to brag about," he says. I look at him in confusion. "I haven't been with anyone since you. Have you...?" A somber look takes hold of his features as his words trail away as if they’re too painful to utter. "Forget I asked that. It wouldn't matter. It was your right to date other people."

"No," I whisper. I cup his face, forcing him to look at me. I want him to know this is the truth, to have no doubt. No matter what happens between us, I need him to know this. "I haven't been with anyone else. A few guys asked me out in London, but it didn't feel right..."

"I’ve thought about that night so many times, Dani." He cups my face, too, our arms intertwining. The space between our lips is so small...it would take very little for us to kiss.

"At times, I felt guilty for having made love to you. I wasn't sure how much the memory hurt you, but I couldn't bring myself to regret it. It made your memory too real and too raw. When I was in those dark places, Dani, all I had to do was think of you, and I'd go on."

"You really haven't been with other women?"

"No." He presses his forehead to mine, closing his eyes. "Is that so hard to believe if you didn't?"

"Men are different from women.”

"Not when we love," he says. My breath hitches, my heart thundering in my chest. Everything around us fades. The music, the people, the party altogether. Time seems to stop too, or at least pause on this very second. Yesterday seems like a lifetime ago, same as all the days since his lips last touched me. "I know the rule is that first kisses come after first dates, but then again, we've always made our own rules."

His mouth covers mine so completely I’m sure he’ll take my breath away, but the opposite happens. It feels like this is the first time I'm breathing in months. I lose myself in his kiss and the warmth of his arms. He coaxes my lips open, slipping his tongue into my mouth. Sighing, I welcome him, allowing him to probe me on the inside, exploring in turn his delicious taste. The primal dance of our tongues lights up an impulse deep inside me that travels right between my thighs, turning my intimate spot tender and wanting. His kiss drives me to the edge, and I find myself returning to that happy place I had memorized and revisited in my dreams.

We gasp for air, our breaths skittered.

"I haven't asked for permission," he says in a husky voice. "Do I need to ask for forgiveness?"

"Wow, Damon. We need to slow down. You cannot just waltz back into my life and declare your love for me. You're making me hyperventilate."

He chuckles lightly, but his stare loses none of its intensity. It smolders me. "I got my shit together, and I want you, Dani. I will accept nothing less. I will fight for it, and I won't play fair all the time. I need you. This year has proven to me how miserable I am without you. So, how about that first date? What do I have to do for you to agree to it?"

"This can be our first date," I offer.

"Not a chance. Last time, I did it all wrong."

"I liked it," I say in all honesty. "I think a little adrenaline was just what I needed at that time."

"Regardless, had I been more careful, maybe things would have been different. This time, I want to do everything the right way."

"Okay."

"Let's go back to your friends."

"Why?" I ask, startled.

"Because if it's just the two of us here, I’ll damn all rules, and do more than just kiss you senseless."