Anticipation bubbled in my stomach as I took in the space for the umpteenth time. The gleaming hardwood floors practically begged to be danced upon. My toes itched to do a couple of pirouettes just to test it out one more time, but before I could take flight, Ash’s muscular arms wrapped around my waist.
“You happy?” he asked.
“Happy doesn’t even scratch the surface.” I twined my arms over his so I could clasp his arms tightly. None of this would even be possible if it weren’t for him. I tilted my head back so that I could look up at him. “Thank you.”
“Happy to help.” Ash leaned down and kissed my lips. “Besides, I was hugely motivated. I wanted you here faster.”
“I was coming no matter what.” I smiled at him. “This was a ton of work for you, and I hope you know how much I appreciate it.”
“I do.” His beard dragged against the side of my neck, sending shivers down my body.
“Don’t get any ideas, mister. We have an open house starting any minute.”
“I know, but I still say we need to christen every surface in here for good luck.” Ash nibbled at my neck.
I couldn’t help but drop my head to the side just a little. “And I told you to be happy with the sex you got in my office.”
“Oh, I was happy about that all right.” The way he said it made it obvious he was picturing exactly what he did to me on my new desk. My head dropped back against his chest as my nipples tightened and his hand glided down my hip.
My eyes snapped open, and I grabbed his hand. “Stop it,” I ordered, hoping my tone counteracted the visible signs that my body was into it.
And the frustrating man just chuckled. I narrowed my eyes, meeting his stare in the floor-to-ceiling mirror across from us. “You’re bad.”
He smirked. “Yep, and you like it.”
It was true. I didn’t just like it. I loved it.
“Now is not the time,” I said.
“I’m just saying all these mirrors. You all sweaty from dancing. It could be hot.” Ash raised his eyebrow as he looked at me in the mirror. “Would definitely be hot.”
God, this man knew how to work me. That did sound hot.
But no. Not the time. I wrinkled my nose at him. Getting interrupted by families with small children would NOT be hot.
Needing a distraction, I focused on the mural along the back wall. “I still can’t believe what an amazing job River did with that mural.”
Ash smirked at the change of subject. “Yep, she’s one talented lady.”
“I had no idea she could do this kind of thing. Most of what I’ve seen in the gallery has been landscapes with mountains, but this…” I pointed at the mural of a dancer soaring across the forest. It was the most beautiful design I’d ever seen. I couldn’t believe a non-dancer had captured that feeling of power, strength, and femininity that I felt every time I took the stage, but she did. When I danced, I felt invincible, and this mural embodied that. I could just imagine how inspiring it would be for my students. Every time I walked into the studio it instantly made me feel alive.
My legs twitched, and Ash chuckled. “You need to take a couple of spins before we head outside?”
He knew me so well. “Yeah. Do you mind?”
“I’m never going to mind watching you move, babe.”
I smiled up at him and winked. “Is that right?” I moved to the middle of the floor and dropped my head back as I imagined the music playing. I began to move. I absently noticed Ash step back against the wall to give me space as I covered the floor. My body moved of its own volition, taking over the way it always did whenI danced. Everything else slipped away. I’d missed this. Dancing for enjoyment. Simply because I loved it.
When the song in my head died, I executed one final leap, pulling up to a stop directly in front of Ash.
“Jesus,” he muttered. “You take my breath away.”
I threw my arms around his neck. “I love you.”
His arms wrapped around my waist. “I love you too.” He pressed a kiss against my lips, then tapped my ass. “All right, let’s get this open house on the road. You’ve got a couple of slots still to fill in those classes.”
“Thank you for supporting me with this.”
