Page 44 of Never Let Go

“Okay,” he murmured, his fingertips dragging against my skin until his hand slid into mine. He held it in a tight, dry grip, sending sparks through me all over again when he pressed me tighter to him, his other hand around my back.

Music had started playing some time ago, but we’d ignored it until now. As the sultry beat played, Tyler took charge, obviously having learned a thing or two in his lesson. I couldn’t remember anything Ricardo had told me, my body suddenly on high alert, aware only of the way Tyler’s felt against it and how much I wanted to stay in his arms.

My heart was hammering, skipping, and jumping, parts of my body I wasn’t usually so aware of feeling heavy and wanting. No one had ever affected me this way. It wasn’t just some errant thought. It was the complete and total truth.

I wasn’t one of those girls who had ever given into or even explored my baser instincts much. For most of my life, I’d even considered my hormones an inconvenience. Sure, I got horny occasionally just like everyone else, but I’d never particularly enjoyed it and I certainly didn’t usually indulge it.

With Tyler though, it was different. I had a good time with him when we were talking, but I also really enjoyed all these other emotions he evoked. It wasn’t an inconvenience with him. In fact, it felt almost like a necessity.

A giggle escaped at the thought and I stiffened when I heard it. Tyler smiled, his cheek so close to mine that I felt it happen. “What was that all about?”

“It’s just, uh.” I chewed the inside of my cheek, trying to decide what to tell him. “This is turning me on.”

“You don’t say,” he mused, sliding his thigh more firmly between mine. I sucked in a sharp gasp, suddenly feeling that he was hard under fabric that felt like jeans against the bare skin of my legs. The dress I’d worn was short and thin enough that I suddenly felt almost naked.

Tyler groaned when he heard my gasp. “You’re killing me here, but it’s against the rules.”

“I know.” I kept moving with him as he commanded the dance, confident in his movements even though he’d said he’d never done this before.

“Is it sad that doing this with you in the dark is one of the most erotic experiences I’ve ever had?”

He chuckled, his breath feathering across the heated skin of my face as he shook his head. “I think that’s kind of why the company signed up with them. It’s meant to be an erotic experience to explore a different kind of connection without breaking the rules.”

“You really think so?” My heart was slamming against my ribs, my panties so damp that I felt the wetness on my thighs. “Well, I suppose it does make me feel better.”

“Besides,” he said quietly, his lips now moving against my temple. “I’ve been turned on for most of the time we’ve spent together. You do things to me, Amanda. I can’t explain it, but—”

“You don’t have to try. I know exactly what you’re talking about.” I turned my head a little, knowing that his face now had to be only inches away from mine. I moved it forward until I felt his nose against the bridge of my own and then I tipped my head back, stroking my fingers into his hair. His mouth touched mine.

I moaned immediately, overwhelmed by the sensations of having him pressed so tight against me, his lips moving with mine and his tongue delving between them to stroke my own. It felt like I’d been electrified, my hairs standing on end as I lost myself in the musky taste of a man I’d never even seen before.

We kissed and kissed, completely ignoring the rules as he swept me across the dance floor, but then the door opened and Ricardo’s voice rang out. “Food is here. I’ve rolled it in on a table by the door. There are two chairs here as well. Have fun.”

Tyler and I reluctantly broke apart, but he kept hold of my hand as he led me across the space and even helped me into my chair. Once I was seated, I heard the soft scrape of him taking his seat and I giggled.

“We need to stop doing that,” I said. “We’re going to get kicked out for breaking the rules.”

“If we do, I’ll find you,” he promised. “We won’t be, though. Don’t worry. No one is watching us while we’re in here. I asked.”

“You did?” I squeaked. “Why? God, I’m blushing so hard right now.”

“I can’t wait to see you blush, but I asked because I had a feeling dancing might lead to kissing. Or more. I’m pretty sure the company knows that too, and that’s why they’ve got Ricardo coming in to deliver our food and stuff.”

I laughed. “You can’t wait to see me blush?”

“I really can’t, but I don’t want to make assumptions. Will you go on another date with me after this, Amanda?”

“I will,” I said. “I’d love to.”

We spoke some more about our families and our lives while we ate. Then we shared another kiss to say good night when the red light came on. All I’d wanted when I’d started this was a date to a wedding, but I’d found Tyler instead. As I left, I wondered if perhaps, sometime soon, other people would be looking for dates to our wedding.

21

FOSTER

I couldn’t stop humming the tango song from the date. I also couldn’t wipe away the grin it’d left on my face.

Over the years, I’d done a bit of dating. It’d never been anything serious and I’d always been clear that I was all about the fun, but I’d also never felt like this. Maybe if I had, I would’ve been married by now.