Page 72 of The Way We Touch
I stand back and watch, and tonight, her eyes are on me as she dances to “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer. It’s the same song that played the first time I was here, but tonight everything is different. Tonight, she’s mine.
I watch her shake that ass, looking over her shoulder at me, and damn, I realize I’ve found something I like better than football.
She’s in my arms when Garrett knocks on the door before dawn, letting me know it’s time for us to hit the road. He wants to be through Huntsville by lunchtime. It’s a six-hour drive, but it’s only the start of our trek with a grueling preseason waiting on the other end.
And no Dylan.
Her cheek is against my chest, and I lift my hand to slide a lock of soft hair off her cheek. Her eyes are closed, but her full lips press into a pout. We’ve only just fallen asleep after losing ourselves in each other’s arms more than once.
“No,” she whispers. “It’s too soon.”
My chest squeezes, and I lift her gently, rolling her onto her back and moving my body over hers. My hands are on her shoulders, and I hold her like she’s something precious I’ve only just discovered, like lost treasure or a rare pearl from the sea.
She puts her hands on my shoulders, frowning as she blinks her eyes open. “I don’t want you to go.”
Her words send an ache through my stomach, and I lower my face to kiss her. Our lips slide together, and I move mine to her cheek.
“I’m going to be pretty slammed for the next two weeks, then the season will start. If you want to come see me, I’ll schedule the plane.”
She threads her fingers in the side of my hair. “I have to run the restaurant, and school’s starting.”
Nodding, I look down at her small body in my arms. Dipping my head, I kiss her neck, the hollow at the center of her throat.
She sighs, “But I’ll do my best to find a weekend soon.”
Another tap on the door twists the ache in my chest, and I don’t want to let her go. Leaning down, I kiss her again, this time slower, doing my best to memorize every sensation, every scent. Lavender and vanilla, warmth and sweetness, whiskey eyes and honey kisses.
I had no idea when I got into that truck with Garrett in New York all those weeks ago, my life would change. Now I’m headed back, and I’m trying to remember why. Outside the game and the team, everything I want is right here.
“Go back to sleep. I’ll call you from the road.”
She told her brother goodbye last night when we loaded up the truck. We knew it was going to be like this, but it doesn’t make it easier.
I step out of the bed, grabbing my jeans and pulling them over my hips. It’s followed by my shirt, and I lean down for one more kiss before I go. She sits up, and the blankets fall to her waist, giving me one last look at her beautiful body.
Wrapping her in my arms, I kiss her shoulder, sliding my hands along the soft skin of her back. “Don’t melt anything while I’m gone.”
“I only do that for you.” Her face is against my shoulder, and her voice is pouty.
It makes me chuckle. “Yeah, you do.”
I hug her one more time, holding her a little longer. The words are right on the tip of my tongue, but it’s too soon to say them. I’ll hold that thought in my heart a little longer.
One more kiss, and it’s time to get the show on the road. Garrett and I have a mission, and the MVP is in our sights.
16
Dylan
“Stand in first position, and we’ll start with a gentle warm-up.” Classical piano music comes from the record player, and I’m standing in front of the class in a black leotard and pale pink tights with a ballet skirt, leading them through the movements. First position, plié, toes out, slide…
My class of high school dancers is bigger than I expected, twelve girls and Austin and Josh from the football team. Jack said he would give them extra credit for “helping me out.”
The girls are at all skill levels, which I’m used to from my days at the dance academy. Their PE uniforms are pink leotards, pink tights, and basic, pink ballet shoes.
The boys are in black nylon joggers and black undershirts, and they have no idea what they’re doing. Still, they’re interested, and I can work with that.
Their main job is to hold the girls steady, and if they’re fast learners and strong enough, we might attempt a few lifts.