Page 199 of Nobody's Girl

Since the bib has been removed and the napkin is long gone, I suppose I can spare him a dance. “If it would please you, then by all means, yes.”

My hand tingles in his as he leads me to a dance floor with several other couples dancing on it.

His arm wraps around me as he pulls me close to him. Our eyes meet for a second before I lay my head on his chest.

He moves me about and somehow my feet follow as if we’ve danced together forever, which we haven’t. Our bodies seem perfectly fitted together.

He’s taller than I am, but just the right amount of taller. The top of my head comes to his broad shoulders, making my head fit perfectly against his chest. The music is soft enough for me to hear the soft beat of his heart.

After this night, I have to make a choice between Kyle and Eden. I don’t want to string either along any longer. I feel it’s cruel and can no longer take giving them pain.

My choice seems clear. I know this. Yet my heart refuses to let Kyle go. It tells me I love him more.

A warmth fills my ear as Eden’s velvet voice speaks softly. “You dance like an angel.”

My heart speeds up. That’s what happens to me all the time with Eden. My heart either drops a beat or speeds up. Sometimes it aches, and when he asked me if he should leave me alone, I felt a sharp, stabbing sensation.

Every time we touch, it seems electricity flows between us. For Christ’s sake, he just looks at me and heat rushes through me, straight to my lower regions.

This thing we have is too intense. Like most things of that nature, I fear it will burn out just as quickly as it came on, leaving me destroyed. I would have destroyed Kyle for no reason.

The music ends and Eden still holds me. I pick up my head and smile at him. “Thank you, Eden. You certainly know how to show a girl a good time.”

Running a finger along his jaw line down to his chin, my body threatens to betray my very own rule of no kissing on this little outing I’ve allowed him to take me on.

“Alyssa, you’re the only girl I wish to show a good time.” His finger mimics my motions and my jaw clenches to stay in control.

If I allow a kiss, I’ll never be able to do what I have to. The life he leads is beyond fantastic, but I’m ordinary, no matter how Eden sees me.

I fear he looks at me through rose-colored glasses. I could never rise to his standards. Even if I managed to do it, I could never keep it up.

Normal has always been my life. It’s much too late to change that now. I’d never fit into his world.

“This has been fun and a great adventure, but I think it’s time to go back home, don’t you?” I ask.

“I could hold you like this forever, but if you’re ready to go, we will. As always, princess, your wish is my command.”

The hour is late and I’m exhausted. As we sit on the jet’s seats, I lean my head on Eden’s shoulder.

Once we level off, he kisses the top of my head and says, “Come, precious, you can lie down on the bed.”

He leads me to a door at the back of the small cabin and opens it, revealing a large bed with a dark red bedspread and plush pillows.

“Eden, this is beautiful.” I plop onto the soft bed. It’s heavenly and I kick off my shoes and lie back.

Eden stands, watching me as he smiles. This will be our last outing together and our last night together. It should be more than what I’ve allowed it to be. This thing we have should go out with a bang. I pat the bed next to me.

“You want me to lie down with you?” he asks with raised eyebrows.

I nod as I bite my lip in anticipation of what my body will do when he makes his next move. In slow motion, he kicks off his shoes, takes off his jacket, and tosses it on a chair. His hand runs through his hair. The dim light casts dark shadows over his tanned face.

My heart stops as he climbs onto the bed on his hands and knees and says, “Alyssa, I know you said no kissing and I respect your wishes. I only want you to know I’m exercising the most self-control I’ve ever had to because of my deep respect for you.”

Why does he respect me so much? And why do I want him to ignore my rule, hold me down, and take me like he owns me?

The way his body hovers over mine a bit is leaving me breathless. My entire body prickles with anticipation, need, want, and desire. I can’t deny it anymore.

“Eden, will you kiss me and end this torture I’m putting us both through.”