Page 30 of Captivated

Piper

“And one, two, three…” My commands filter loudly above the music as I count out the tempo to the movement of the dance I’m teaching this evening, trying to focus on the task at hand despite the eyes I feel burned into my skin from one member of the audience. My mind and body are at war right now, especially because I can see Cash leaning against the doorway of the room I’m in at the retirement center, stalking my every movement. His eyes are focused solely on me as I rest my hand on Baron’s shoulder while we glide across the floor.

“Looks like you have an admirer,” Baron chuckles while we spin around the tile floor, swaying and gliding along to the soft tune as we waltz. There’s only a handful of couples that signed up for this class, but I actually prefer that. It gives me the opportunity to focus more on each person instead of directing a large group.

“Yes, it seems that way, doesn’t it,” I reply, shooting a glance over at Cash as the corner of his mouth tips up.

“Aw, to be young and in love again,” Baron looks to the side thoughtfully, then meets my eyes.

“Uh, we’re not in love. We’ll just call it infatuation for now.”

I swear my internal temperature is borderline feverish just knowing he’s watching me because that’s what Cash does to me—he makes my body react stronger than it ever has to a man and makes me want things from him I should not desire. I tried fighting it, this relentless attraction I feel for him, fearful of how strong our connection is and what that could mean for my life here in Emerson Falls. But apparently my will power has been pulverized by the cocky man smirking at me from across the room.

Cash’s arms are folded across his chest, showing off those muscular biceps and a toned chest beneath his shirt. Of course, I’ve also felt those muscles beneath my fingers, so I know just how massive and strong he really is, a thought that instantly gives me a hot flash and makes my vagina clench.

Maybe I just need sex. However, even that thought makes little sense because I’ve never considered myself to be a very sexual person. However, I guess if you’ve only been with one man who needs a road map to arrive at your clitoris, then maybe that would help explain my lack of desire for it. But just the sight of Cash kick starts my libido and brings on this ache between my thighs that makes me desperate for release, which cannot be a good thing, I’m sure. It means I’ll have that much less control when it comes to him and I already feel myself teetering on the brink of that cliff.

And now somehow I’ve agreed to a date with him, even though I tried not to give myself permission. The thought of what’s happening between us is terrifying, making my chest tight with anxiety. But it also gives me a thrill—a taste of something forbidden, a need to lose myself in someone else and block out all the fear and worry that’s been clouding my mind for the past six months. I still have moments when my reality hits me and I worry I’ll be found. But mostly, I’m finding myself adjusting to this life, even though I’m dying to see my parents and Rachel again soon.

The music ends just as Baron and I break apart. “You did a great job, everyone. Next week, we’ll try salsa,” I exclaim as murmurs of excitement fill the room. “Thanks for the dance, Baron,” I curtsy in front of him as he grins from ear to ear.

“The pleasure was all mine, Piper.” He kisses me on the cheek and then hobbles off.

“Not that you could possibly be any sexier, but watching you move your body like that doesn’t make it any easier to stay away from you.” Cash comes up behind me, brushing his fingers against my hip as he moves around to face me.

“I think we can both agree you don’t follow directions very well anyway,” I crack a smile at him.

“Not when it comes to you.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be playing Scrabble with Birdie?”

“We just finished our game and I thought I’d come over here and wait for you to finish so I can walk you to your car.”

“How thoughtful,” I reply sarcastically. “Let me put the speakers away really quick and we can leave.”

I unhook my phone from the auxiliary cord, load the speakers in a cupboard and lock it up with a key Terrence gave me, grab my bag from the floor, and then lead Cash outside towards my car.

“I just want you to know that I find it extremely attractive that although your job is demanding of you, you still find time to see Birdie as much as you can.”

“That’s the whole reason I’m here, like I told you the other night. Family doesn’t have to be blood. She’s the family I’ve chosen and the person I care about more than anyone. But I’m glad that makes me more irresistible to you.”

“It’s endearing how devoted you are to her, and crazy to think that if I never signed up to volunteer at the retirement center, I never would have known about her.”

“Well, all I know is that through our lives intertwining, I allowed myself to share Birdie with someone else for the first time, and it just feels right sharing her with you. Better yet, I’m really glad we ran into each other today, Piper, so I could finally get you to relent to a date with me,” Cash says, taking my hands in his as I lean up against my car, ready to leave but not wanting to say goodbye just yet.

“Surprisingly, me too. Say, when do I get to join in on a Scrabble game with you and Birdie? I need to scope out your intellectual abilities.”

“You can play with us anytime, babe. But I have to warn you, I’m pretty bad ass at Scrabble.”

“Apparently your confidence doesn’t just pertain to women then, huh?”

“You’re the only one who doesn’t make me feel confident at all,” he says quietly, reaching up to caress the side of my face. “But one thing I am confident about is how desperate you make me feel—desperate for your hands on me, desperate for more of your time, desperate to figure out what’s going on in that mind of yours.”

And if I thought my heart was beating frantically before, Cash’s words make my pulse race instantly—because I feel desperate for him too.My God, what have I gotten myself into?

“So when are you taking me out then?” I say, trying to douse some of the flames burning between us, but still eager to see him again.

“When is your next day off?”

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