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“Seems like a waste of time when you’re this perfect.” He winked, my stomach twisting at the sight. Why in the Goddess was that attractive? “So? Dance with me?”
His hand was outstretched, begging me to accept. I tried to act like it was a difficult choice, but my quivering legs made it clear it was the only place I wanted to be in that moment—as close to him as possible for the last few weeks we probably had together. Another fact I’d tried not to think about all night.
I dropped my half-empty glass on the bar top before taking his hand, his grip strong leading me to the dance floor.
He twirled me around, my feet stumbling over themselves before he pulled me back toward him, one arm snaking around my hips, the other still gripped tightly in mine. I hesitated for a moment before sliding my free hand up to his shoulder, our chests touching as he swayed us to the beat of the music.
“Wow, you, uh, really are a little clumsy on the dance floor.” He laughed, the sound low and rough, his forehead barely brushing my own.
Heat washed over my cheeks. “I prefer fighting over dancing.”
He pulled me close against him, his grip tightening on my hip. “Stay close. I’ll keep you safe in this dangerous place.”
“Such an arrogant man.” I shook my head, finally relaxing a bit.
“You wouldn’t want it any other way.” His hand squeezed mine.
Silence fell between us as we just moved with the music, other couples dancing and swaying around us to the slow, heart-pounding tempo that engulfed us. His arms were warm, safe. They were a place I’d never expected to find myself, yet I relished every moment I got to spend in them. I was…comfortable. Content. My mind wasn’t moving a mile a minute or expecting something terrible to happen, needing to be constantly on guard.
At that moment, with him so close, I found myself lost within my own happiness, a place I hadn’t been in a long time.
Those intoxicating forest-green eyes stared down at me, barely blinking. They were so easy to get lost in, to find myself pulled to discover everything that lay behind them. Yet, my heart lurched at the sight of something buried deep within his gaze, something I could tell he was trying desperately to hide in such a perfect moment.
“What is it?” My throat dried at the conflict raging across his handsome face.
“I just…” He shook his head, staring up at the ceiling before looking back at me. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Try the beginning,” I teased, but my voice was strained, my mind getting a bit dizzy.
“I never expected to find us here.” He chuckled, smirking at me. “You, willingly dancing with me, seeming to enjoy yourself.”
I bit my bottom lip. “Iamenjoying myself.”
“You’ve captured me since the day I met you, Kasha.” His words were so pure, full of absolute honesty. They set my whole body alight, heat swarming me, making me desperate for more. “You fascinate me, you push me to my limits and show me I’m strong enough to bear the pressure. You challenge me in a way I crave, but then you make me laugh and feel at ease at almost every turn. When you asked me to be with you the other day during your transformation…you have no idea what that meant to me. To know that you trusted me with that, it was a gift I’ve cherished every moment since.”
My heart raced, palms sweating. What was he trying to say? Was it what I’d been thinking myself, too scared to say out loud?
“I know I made you a promise to leave when Elliot is caught.” He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. “And I will keep that promise. But…”
“But?” I prompted, my eyes refusing to leave his, everything around me blurring.
“But if I’m being honest, I don’t want to go.” He rested his forehead against mine. “I’m not ready to leave you.”
We kept swaying to the music, somehow my legs finding the strength to keep me upright after his confession.
“If you want me to go, I will.” He kept me close, lowering his lips so they brush against my ear. “But if you would let me stay, then I want you to know my intentions.”
I sucked in a shaky breath. “Which are?”
“I want to pursue you romantically.” His breath tickled my neck. “I want us to discover exactly what’s growing between us.”
“Nolan, I—”
I had more to say, more to admit; but words eluded me, my mind hazing over sharply. I shook my head a few times, trying to clear it, but that only made it worse, my stomach churning at the quick movement.
Nolan stopped us. “Kas?”
I leaned my hand against his shoulder, trying to get myself together. “Sorry.”
