AllFreeNovel
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“Choreography.”
“So you’re studying dance, too?”
“Only a minor concentration. I take one dance class a semester, two at the most.”
“I was right…You do have it all figured out.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.”
I turn her around slowly and rest my hands back on the sweet curve of her hips. “I’d like to see you dance sometime.”
She laces her fingers around my neck and tilts her head to the side. “We’re dancing now.”
She’s looking up at me, and I can’t take my eyes off of her as we move to the slow beat of the music. Is this how it feels? What my father used to say about meeting the person you’re meant to be with? It’s like being thunderstruck while swimming in this peaceful feeling of faith and security.
I could stand here holding her forever, but at the same time I know it’s not nearly enough. I need more.
The band stops after the song is over, thanking the crowd before the DJ starts back up. “Want to get out of here?”
“Yeah,” she says on a whisper.
We’re both quiet as we head back out into the night. For me it’s a mix of nerves and anticipation. For Grace I’m thinking it’s the same.
I take the leather jacket that’s always rolled up and stashed in the compartment beneath my seat and gesture for Grace to let me put it on her.
“It’s still pretty warm.”
It is a mild night, but she’s wearing next to nothing. I’ve never had a wreck, and at the snail’s pace I’ve been driving tonight I’m definitely not worried, but I want to protect her in any way I can.
“Let me.”
I slip her arms into my jacket and smile when I see the way the sleeves hang down over her hands. As I put her helmet on and fasten the chinstrap, I can feel her breaths coming in quick, chest rising and falling with each inhale and exhale.
Taking one step back, I school myself, tell myself for what’s got to be the tenth time to slow down.You’ll scare her off. But she turns the tables on me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pulling herself flush up against me once were settled onto the bike. Not two minutes into the ride, Grace decides to let her hands wander, skimming underneath the fabric of my t-shirt, and the feel of her hands on my skin is so unbelievably good.
She lets out a hoot and then laughs when I pick up speed on the open road. I’m still not going half as fast as I normally would, but it’s enough to have Grace’s hair whipping in the wind and enough to have me back to feeling free and hopeful.
I should just walk her to her door, kiss her and then end the night on a positive note. Prove to her that I’m respectful and lay the groundwork for our next date. But she’s looking at me in a way that has me thinking that she doesn’t want the night to end.
Grace doesn’t stop or look to me when we get to her porch. There’s no hesitation before she unlocks the door and leads me inside. The kitchen light is on but it’s nearly midnight and there’s no sign of her roommates.
“Do most sophomores live off campus?”
“I’d say most students move off campusaftersophomore year.” I take a seat on the couch when she turns a lamp on in the living room. She heads for the kitchen asking me, “Do you want a beer?”
“Sure.”
“You hardly drank tonight.”
“Two beers is my limit when I’m on the bike.”
“Safety first,” she smiles as she hands me the bottle. “I like it.”
I tip my bottle to hers. “Thank you for tonight. I like hanging out with you.”
“Same here.” She takes a small sip and then sets her beer down on the coffee table. “So where are you staying while you’re on leave?”
“I’m crashing on Eli’s couch for a few weeks. His apartment is about a mile from here.”
