Page 26 of Yours, For Good

She released an unbelieving gasp. "You can't be like that!"

"I'm pretty sure I can."

"You can not. You can't go around telling people you're a great dancer and then refuse to show them. It will make you look sooo fake."

I smirked. "I don't have to prove it."

I'd rather continue enjoying how easy it was to tease her.

"You have to. Come on." She danced in her place, not caring about who was around us. "Dancing is fun. I know you want to."

I let myself take note of the way her hips moved to the beat. Her costume, consisting of tight jeans and a soft-looking denim shirt tied at her waist, hugged her in all the right places. Her tempting, soft stomach peeked through an uncovered triangle below her shirt. One could even imagine themselves licking the patch of skin—

I pulled my eyes back to her face, only to find that her bright red lips were just as alluring as the rest of her.

Thank the powers that be that I was a sensible man with no interest in romantic relationships. Hell, I didn't even do casual these days.

"I'm having fun." My lips tilted upwards. "Especially now that you're insisting and I'm resisting."

"Oh, is that how you like it?"

I licked my bottom lip but didn't respond.

Her smile stayed on her lips, unfettered. Her dancing became clearer, more defined and on purpose. A siren call. Enticing.

I held my ground.

"Fine." She shrugged and made it look like it was part of her rhythmic moves. "Have fun here at the railings. I'll go dance without you. I won't be checking my phone so if you text me asking for rescue again, this time you'll be on your own."

My eyes narrowed.

She recognized her opening and pushed. "Now that you're going to be alone, people are going to think you're available. Remember Julia's threat? I mean, her invitation to network. I hope you're looking forward to it!"

I snorted and shook my head.

Her hands fell to her hips, and her gesture remained open and inviting. My skin tingled from her touch, but I pushed it all down the stairs into the basement of my feelings, and locked the door closed behind it.

She took a step away. I rubbed my mouth.

She assessed me again, before rolling her eyes and lifting her hands in a resigned gesture. "Fine! Good luck, sir. I'll find a girl… or a guy… or an enby partner who wants to dance with me."

She walked away like she held no worries, in search of an available partner. She took a quick turn and waved at me, before directing her smile at a group of three people dancing together. One of the masc guys in the trio smiled right back.

The confused feelings in the basement thrashed and banged at the door I'd closed behind them, but they didn't need to work that hard. I moved before I knew what I was doing.

She had no idea she had pushed the right button; that walking away to find someone else would be a trigger. I hadn't known, either, but it had to be, if I responded by throwing my hat and jacket onto a nearby chair, and striding to her.

I took her hand and led her away from the group.

"You don't have to do this if you're going to be grumpy about it!" she exclaimed.

"I'm not going to be grumpy about it."

I stopped in the middle of the dancing crowd, and used the momentum to lead Nora into a twirl. She followed the subtle instructions of my hand with ease; by the time she faced me and let go of my hand, a glorious smile stretched across her face. Delight sparkled in her eyes.

She lifted her arms in a celebratory gesture. I smirked, and ran my fingers through my hair.

Her body moved to the rhythm of the song blasting our way. Her warm, bright brown eyes teased me and called me closer at the same time. "Ready?"