Page 17 of Rogue
I nod.
“McKenzie.” The way it rolls off his tongue makes it sound almost seductive. “‘The fair one.’ A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
I smile. It’s a line, of course, but I can see why Latins have a reputation for being great lovers. Noah’s frown has turned into a glare.
“Tell me,preciosa, what is on this bucket list.”
I have no idea whatpreciosameans, but it sounds nice. I smile at him. He’s not as attractive as Noah, but unlike Noah, heisdefinitely interested in me. I figure I might as well have a little fun flirting with him. The effect it seems to have on Noah is a nice bonus.
I recount some of the things on Liam’s list as Sebastian listens intently. When I’m finished, he smiles and says, “Kind of like a scavenger hunt, no?”
I hadn’t thought of it like that, but in a way, he’s right. Step by step, Liam’s list has been leading me to a life of freedom and excitement.
“And what’s at the end?” he asks.
“A pot of gold,” I say with a smile, realizing that it’s true. Wherever Liam’s list leads me, I will have had experiences and memories to savor for a lifetime.
Sebastian leans in closer. “Would you like to dance?”
Why not? I smile at him. “I would love to.”
He grabs my hand as we move to the makeshift dance floor, which is just a concrete-floored section of the bar in front of the stage where a band is now playing. My karaoke buddy is apparently also the lead singer.
The band is playing a popular song from home, and Sebastian holds my right hand up in his left as he takes a few rhythmic steps forward, his hips swiveling like they’re attached to his body with brads instead of tendons. Damn but the man can dance. He’s doing a sexy bastardized version of the salsa, and he pulls me along for the ride. His hands are everywhere—on my hips, wrapping around my shoulders as he pulls me back against him and then propels me forward as I spin under his arm. I laugh with delight, remembering salsa dancing on Liam’s list. I thought I’d checked that off the list when I took classes at the local community college, learning the steps with a dozen other women and a few men who’d obviously been dragged there by their wives. But I had it all wrong. This is what he meant—dancing with a partner whose sensuous moves and hands on your body set your senses on fire.
My classes didn’t prepare me for this, though, and I focus on my feet, trying to keep up.
“Look at me.” Sebastian’s voice is sultry as he lifts my chin with a firm finger. “Keep your chin up. Your spine straight.”Ka-thunk.His confidence and innate authority remind me of Noah. I apparently have a hidden penchant for alpha men. “Just feel the music.”
I try to do as he says as he whips me around the tiny dance floor. “That’s it,belleza,” he croons, pressing his forehead to mine as I circle my hips and wrap my arms around his neck. He dips me low and then pulls me close to his chest as we snake our bodies together in time with the music. Dancing like this, so sensually with the beat pulsing in my veins, is doing nothing to alleviate the sexual frustration that has been building in me for the last day and a half on the boat in such close proximity to Noah, who seems hellbent and determined to turn me on and then do nothing about it. As a result, I feel like I’m about to combust.
Who needs Noah? In fact, screw him. How dare he tease me, making me crave his touch, then leave me as soon as I’m dripping with desire. If he doesn’t want to help me with the sexual things on Liam’s list, I’m sure Sebastian will. And I’m just drunk enough to ask him.
“Where are you staying?”
Sebastian’s eyes darken as he pushes me away from him slightly, still holding my hand as I sweep a foot outward in one of the few fancy salsa moves I remember, then pulls me back to him.
“Just up the beach. Where are you?”
“We’re on a boat called theKairos, anchored just off the shore.”
“This man you’re with… Is he your boyfriend?”
“Oh, no.” I laugh. “He’s made it quite clear he’s not interested in me. He won’t miss me one bit.”
He smiles. “Well, then. I’ll come and steal you away.”
“Will you tie me up in the process?” I ask flirtatiously. He seems like the kind of guy who could be into kinky stuff, but it can’t hurt to feel him out.
He laughs. “Whatever turns you on,belleza.”
His left hand moves over the curve of my ass possessively and squeezes.
I hadn’t seen Noah get up, but suddenly he’s standing next to us, his eyes dark with fury. “Watch your hands,” he snaps. “She’s with me.”
Sebastian looks up at him in surprise, completely unfazed. “Really? That’s not what she says. You’ve ignored her all night, and a woman this beautiful and sensuous should get the attention she deserves.” He turns to me. “Another dance?”
“I…um,” I stammer, looking up into Noah’s unyielding face. I may be braver than I used to be, but I’m not sure I have the courage to challenge Noah when he’s looking at me in that steady, unnerving way. I don’t think anyone would, and for a minute I have complete sympathy for the men he commands. He saves me from having to decide.
