Page 98 of Love… It's Wild
Rob takes my hand that’s practically shaking and holds it in his warm palm. The calluses against my soft skin should be a reminder of how different we are, yet the feel of them makes me stop and take a breath.
“Will you dance with me?”
His offer has me staring at him like he’s positively insane. First, he shows up, looking all handsome in his suit and patent leather shoes, and then he apologizes, and finally, he has the nerve—the absolute nerve—to ask me to dance.
“Yes,” I say because I’m a glutton for punishment.
Rob rises and takes my hand, walking me out to the dance floor. I follow him and even shift myself into the better lighting of the room because a girl always knows the best place to stand to look irresistible.
He takes my hand and places an arm around my waist. My body pushing into his is so natural. I know this form and what lies beneath the suit. It’s gorgeous and powerful and oh-so good at what it does when it’s unleashed. I try to blink away the thought of a naked Rob on top of me and focus on the moment.
Our feet move in time to the melody. I’m surprised to find he’s not a bad dancer. I mean, he’s no Fred Astaire, but the man can keep a beat.
With each glide, I relax into his arms.
He holds me closer.
My head rests against his chest.
His lips find my forehead, and I close my eyes, loving the sensation. It causes me to look up at him in wonder.
Wonder what all this means.
Wonder where this is going.
His eyes speak the same. They brim with tenderness and passion as his heart beats strongly against mine with purpose.
“You’re right,” he breathes, and I give him my full attention. “I am broody, and you are crazy. But as you said, I need to come up with a few more adjectives. Here’s what I have. Stunning—and not just in your looks, but also in the way you light up a room when you enter it. From the moment I saw you, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you, and I think I’ll never be able to stop. Tenacious. You have a persistence to you unlike anyone else I’ve ever met. You keep your ideals and refuse to give up, even when a curmudgeon like me tells you otherwise. Thoughtful. You place others before yourself in a way you don’t give yourself credit for. Fun. Strong-willed. Hardworking. Exasperating,” he says, and we both let out light laughs at that one. “And wild. Wild because the way you make me feel is unrestrained. With you, I don’t have to live behind a wall.”
He looks like he’s struggling to explain what that wall is exactly, so I tell him, “Veiled steel of emotion. I named it for you. It sounds more romantic the way I say it.”
He stares at me for a beat and then ignites into a wide smile.
There’s a certain radiance about him, an aura of self-confidence that I haven’t seen before. I let go of his hand and step back. We’re in the middle of the dance floor, the only couple not dancing, and yet I stand here and look at him with a scowl on my face.
“I’m sorry too, Rob. I was wrong, and I want you to know I’ll never lie to you again.”
Closing the distance, he brushes a hair that fell onto my temple and places it behind my ear. “I won’t push you away again. You won’t run again. We’ll fight. It’ll probably be dirty, but we’re gonna try to make it work because I want to give this a chance. Give us a chance.”
His strong hands grip my waist, and he pulls me back to him. Our lips are so close, yet not touching as I slide my hands up his chest and then hit him—kind of hard.
“You’re so happy. I miss my grump. Yes, I like when you’re relaxing on the porch or painting or when you kiss me in the dark hallway, but I want my Rob. The one who did a flash mob in high school, but who was also burned as an adult so he wears all of his emotions on his face. I’m glad your wall is down, but I don’t want you to not be you anymore.”
That amused grin on his face falls with my words. “I’m still me, baby. Just a little less closed off. Now, let’s not forget my original purpose for being here. Where’s Patrick?”
I look over my shoulder and point at Patrick and Victoria about fifteen feet away on the dance floor. I happen to look over just as Patrick dances our way.
“He’s that guy with the pretty blonde. You want to meet him or something?”
“No, I want to make sure he’s looking when I do this.”
Rob grips my face and kisses me. Afull-on lips and tongues with a hard erection pressing into my groinkiss that sizzles as it coaxes every nerve in my body and makes me moan on this dance floor in a room full of people.
The kiss lasts a touch longer than is probably normal. I’d think this was all for show, but from the way we are gripping one another, holding each other tight and pouring every emotion we feel for one another into this kiss, I know it’s for real.
When he releases me, I’m slightly at a loss for words.
“You certainly know how to make an ex jealous,” I say, coming down from the high.