Page 77 of Tortured Tones

“I’m just warming up.”

“I thought you’d be all over some other girl by now. What happened to the one you were talking to before?”

“Raquel? She’s um . . .”

“One of your casuals?”

“Used to be.” His eyes shimmered when he smiled. “She’s got a boyfriend now.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of other women, including Min, here willing to take her place.”

“Maybe. But I came to the party with you. I don’t bring one girl to an event then take another home. Not my style.”

“Oh . . .” He never ceased to surprise me.

The music changed to a slow song. Cole slid his hand around my waist and drew me flush against his chest. “So let’s just dance, have some fun, and enjoy the evening.”

“Cole...” I lowered my head, intoxicated by the scent of his divine earthy cologne.

“Ava.” He cupped my cheek and tilted my head back so I met his gaze. I swear my knees wobbled and knocked together. “Just...dance.”

“This is too much,” I whispered. “We’re too close.”

“Ava. Stop. Dance with me.”

Clouds fogged my mind. He looked too handsome in his dinner suit. It felt too good to be in his arms. No...no, it doesn’t. I could do this. I stepped back and jabbed my finger against this chest. “No funny business. I don’t want to have to hurt you.”

“I know you can, so I promise.”

“Okay, fine.” I placed one hand on his shoulder, one hand on his waist, keeping a foot of distance between us. But within a few steps, he chuckled and tugged me against him.

“This is dancing. We’re not fucking fourteen at a church ball.”

I giggled. “No, you’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Better?”

“Give me a minute.” In my stilettos, I wasn’t much shorter than Cole. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. With the sides of our heads almost aligned, we slowly swayed and shuffled around in a circle. As his body heat enveloped me, and his warm breath teased my hair, I melted against his chest. Okay. This was nice. Slow dancing. Breathing him in. Having his heartbeat against mine.

I slid my hands up his back and rested my chin on his shoulder. Hmmm. It had been too long since I’d danced with someone like this. I missed this.

He drew tiny circles on my bare back with his fingertips. I didn’t flinch or fuss. But as we turned, I glanced toward the bar. Flint lifted his eyebrows. Slip chuckled and raised his drink. Lewis nodded and grinned.

Panic seized my throat. My heart lurched against my ribs. A sharp pain shot through my head. Shit.

I couldn’t do this.

Shouldn’t be doing this.

This was too much.

I pushed out of Cole’s embrace, but he caught me by the arm.

“Hey? Are you okay?”

The intensity in his eyes made me forget how to breathe. How to swallow. And erased the world around me.

Oh . . . hell no.

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