Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Damien, no stranger to an audience, stretched out his hand. She took it.
His palm felt perfect in hers.
She felt the familiar flutter in her stomach, but now it was sharper. More electric.
They had danced together countless times over the years, perfecting every step, every twist, every turn—but today felt different. It had to be the news of Mila and Hersch’s engagement, the sense of romance in the air. Or maybe it was the way Damien’s muscles moved under his shirt as he pulled her closer. Whatever it was, she could feel the tension simmering just beneath the surface.
“Ready?” Damien’s voice cut through the air, playful and smooth.
Crystal forced herself to shake off the nerves that had suddenly settled in her chest. They were just friends. She could handle this. “Let’s see if you can keep up,” she said with a playful smile.
He raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been keeping up for years.”
Without another word, he pulled her into position, their bodies aligning with practiced ease. The rhythm of the salsa track began to build, and they fell into the familiar steps. Step, step, twist. A sharp spin, a quick dip, her feet following his lead with a fluidity that came from years of dance. But this time, his movements felt sharper, more insistent. He led with more strength, his hand at her waist, guiding her through the intricate steps with precision. She mirrored him effortlessly, but each time they touched—his hand at her back, hers on his shoulder—the touch seemed to linger just a fraction longer.
Her hips swayed in time with the music, her body moving as if the rhythm were a part of her, and each time she spun back toward him, the tension between them thickened. The brief moments of eye contact were electric, and she couldn’t help but notice how his gaze held hers just a bit longer than usual.
The next move was a fast turn, a quick shift of her weight that brought her directly into his arms. She could feel his breath on her neck as his grip tightened, pulling her in closer, almost possessively. The heat of his body against hers was undeniable. Every brush of his chest against hers sent heat rushing through her, every inch of their connection making her skin tingle, her heart beat faster.
“Focus,” she murmured, a teasing edge to her voice. But his grip was anything but teasing. He spun her again, the speed of the motion leaving her dizzy, and as she came back into his arms, his fingers slipped to the small of her back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. Their bodies pressed together, the rhythm of the music pulsing through them in sync, and it was impossible to ignore how well they fit together. His hand rested at the curve of her waist, the touch just a little too intimate for a dance that was supposed to be social.
She met his gaze again, her breath coming quicker now. The look in his eyes made her pulse spike. There was something about the way he was looking at her—something far beyond social.
Damien tilted his head slightly, that slow, knowing grin spreading across his face.
Crystal swallowed, the heat between them so palpable that it almost made her forget the steps. She spun again, more out of instinct than memory, and Damien followed, his hand steady at her back, keeping her close even as they moved in time with the music. She could feel every shift of his weight, every slight adjustment in his body. It was impossible to ignore how attuned they were to one another.
Her feet moved in sync with his, each step a precise, practiced motion. He led her through a series of spins and sharp turns, his hand never leaving her waist, keeping her close, guiding her effortlessly through the intricate footwork of the salsa. The music swirled around them, fast-paced and urgent, but it was the feel of him that set her body alight. His hand on her back, firm and steady, anchored her as they moved—his body so close to hers that she could feel the heat radiating off him, feel the strength in his arms as they danced together.
As they twirled across the wooden deck, Damien’s grip tightened, pulling her in for a moment of stillness. Her breath caught as he leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart.
“You’re getting better.” Her voice sounded husky and breathless even to herself, despite the fact that she enjoyed teasing him.
“I was always this good,” he teased back. He chuckled now, the sound rumbling in his chest, sending a wave of warmth through her. Then, without warning, he spun her again, this time faster, the momentum making her dizzy again. But as she came back into his arms, they locked eyes once more. The world around them faded into the background. The rhythm of the dance, the pulse of the music, the flickering of the sunlight through the trees—all of it seemed to disappear, leaving just themselves.