Page 59 of Read With Your Heart

Lesson 20

The Day of the Dead celebrates life.

[Leon]

I don’t know why she thinks she can’t dance because she falls into line with me easily, following my lead as my leg slips between hers, and I guide her around the floor. We’re taking up more floor space than necessary, but I want to really dance with her, which means hip to hip and spinning her out to tug her back to press chest to chest with me. I don’t recognize the sexy, sultry country song, but I like the beat because it’s perfect for moving her the way I want. When the song ends, people actually clap for us, but Tricia doesn’t notice. Her eyes are locked on mine. She’s breathless.

“Why were you late?” she questions, although I don’t think that’s what’s made her lose her breath. I pull her to me as another song starts, and I keep us close, swaying side to side instead of whipping around the dance floor.

“I was talking to Dixon.”

Those forest-like eyes look up at me, anticipation in them, and I want to give her answers. “I told him about my drawings, leaving off the part about how I had experience, of course, and I asked him if he’d ever consider me for custom paint jobs.”

“Leon!” she shrieks. “That’s wonderful.” Her enthusiasm is catchy, and I smile despite myself.

“It isn’t a promise of a better job.” I shrug, dismissing the opportunity.

“But it’s a chance at something you love. You don’t know what will happen, but Dixon will love your designs.”

“How do you know?” I’ve only shown her the one sketch.

“I have faith in you.”

Jesus, I didn’t expect that, and I didn’t expect the wind to be knocked out of me at her words, either.

“You okay?” she asks as my palm sweats, and I hold her tighter to me. I want her closer to me. I want us to really connect like two bodies can connect.

“I . . . yeah, I just think . . . I need some air.” That isn’t what I need. What I need is to be inside her, laid deep. I want her to feel me, to feel how I feel about her. I wasn’t lying when I said she’s perfect.

“Let’s go outside.” She releases my hand but slips her arm around my waist, and I tuck her into me, leading her to a side door in the barn. It’s an interesting place for a party. I can’t say I’ve ever been to a barn dance. Hell, if my best friend, AJ, could see me now, he’d laugh his ass off, but I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. A beautiful woman under my arm. A community that’s slowly welcoming me. A gorgeous fall night outside.

In the darkness of the parking area, Tricia spins to face me and leaps. I catch her under her thighs as her mouth crashes into mine, devouring me. My hat falls back.

I chuckle against her eager lips. “What’s this, baby?”

“I need you.” The dazed look in her eyes hints at what she wants.

“Here?” I tease.

“At the house,” she whispers, her mouth returning to mine for a long, hungry kiss. I can’t take it. I’m just as desperate for her within seconds.

“Okay, baby. We’ll get there.”

Damn, I’ve never seen a woman so starved for me. Not in a lusty way but with honest desire in her eyes. The brown is almost eclipsed by green, and she licks her lips like she wants to taste me. We’ve done that, mouths exploring each other, but we haven’t crossed the line to sex. I’ve been the one holding off, worried once I enter her, I’ll never want to give her up. We’ve both been holding back a bit. I don’t know her reasons, but I know mine. It will hurt too much to let her go once she realizes I’m just some schmuck who doesn’t have his life pulled together.

I lower her to the ground and pick up my hat. Holding her hand, I lead her to my bike.

“How you feel about a ride? It’s going to be cold on those bare thighs, but I promise to get us home quick.”

“I haven’t been on one in a long time,” she tells me. I want to know more about her time on some bike but not tonight. “As long as you aren’t too quick once we’re home.”

Home. I like the sound of that, and she often calls her house by the name. Her home is my home. She’s my home, and I don’t ever want to leave. Then I catch her joke.

“Oh baby, don’t you worry. I’ll be taking all the time necessary to please you.” She stumbles next to my bike, and I chuckle. I straddle my ride and hold out a hand to help her climb on behind me.

“Here,” I say, removing my cape, as it’s dangerous on the bike. “Wrap this around you a bit but make sure it isn’t flapping anywhere.” I feel her squirming and shifting behind me, and I’m all kinds of turned on at the thought of her moving and wriggling when she is pressed against my front. As she cuddles up to my back and wraps her arms around my chest, the strangest sensation comes over me.

I love this woman.