Page 16 of Enough

“That you are,” Cassie said giving Jaden a wink. “Well the studio is yours for the next hour. I’ve got to go pick up my dog from the babysitter, then I’ll make my rounds and come back to lock up.”

“How is Kasanova, anyway?” Jaden asked referring to the wiener dog.

“Better than ever, always eating.”

They chuckled. “That’s what dogs do most.”

“You’re right about that”

“I’ll see you guys in a little bit.”

“If she’s leaving, who’s going to teach us the dance moves?”

Jaden strolled to the stereo system with amusement in his eyes. After messing with the dial, a smooth jazz melody played.

“We’re going to try just a few basic steps,” he said.

Claudia smirked. “Aaa ha, you’re going to teach me these moves, Mr. Rose?”

“You sound surprised, chérie.”

Claudia sauntered deeper into the room and proceeded to take her heels off. “I’ve never known a man who could dance, I mean really dance.”

“You’ll find that I’m not like most men and you should leave your shoes on. The dance I’m about to teach you works best with the support.”

Claudia had no doubt he was different than other men, and she wanted to know just how much. Jaden swayed to the music and slowly crossed the room to her. Reaching out, Jaden slid a strong arm around her waist pulling Claudia flush against his chest. With the other hand, he interlocked their fingers.

“This dance calls for us to be intimate.”

Claudia’s brows rose.

“By intimate, I mean close,” Jaden smirked. “Your movements should mirror mine. When we touch, our connection should be as if we’re one. I am an extension of you and vice versa. So wherever I go,” he took a step back, and Claudia moved forward; their thighs causing friction as they stirred. “You go.” He smiled at her ability to learn fast.

“Like this?” she spoke. Her voice was low just above a whisper.

Jaden spun her out and tugged her hand, and Claudia twirled back into his embrace. “Just like that,” he confirmed.

His lips were a breath away from hers, and the temperature in the room warmed. The music continued to serenade them, and Jaden moved in slow steps. Gliding to the right in sync, their bodies caused nerve endings to spark and flutter across one another’s skin.

“To execute this dance perfectly, confidence must ooze from your body language. Your posture upright,” Jaden said, watching Claudia straighten her shoulders, “your head held high,” he continued. Claudia’s eyes lifted to meet his. It was hard for her to stay that way. Jaden’s undeniable charm made her heart flutter when looking into the depths of his eyes. She could never hold his gaze for long, her head always fell.

But now in this moment, she followed his instructions wanting to learn something new from him.

“Yes,” his dark voice beat. “Like that.”

They moved together, Claudia following his steps. “Keep your chest elevated and spine straight. It helps your core remain strong.”

Being so close to Jaden with his instructions was driving her libido crazy. Claudia was officially turned on. Hell, she’d been turned on since he pulled to the front of The Garden in his sports car. But this was visceral in a way she’d never thought of intimacy. Her belly flip flopped as her nipples pushed against the firmness of his broad chest. Suddenly, she gained confidence, and this time when Jaden spun Claudia out, her hand went into the air along with her chin.

When he pulled back, she went gently and charismatic with the grace of a ballroom dancer. Jaden was right; the stilettos boosted her movements. They were ideal for the twirls and quick movements. Jaden stepped forward with a left foot, and Claudia glided back with her right. When Jaden stepped forward with his right, Claudia stepped backward with her left.

“Yes,” he said. A pleasant smile highlighted his lips. “Now we rock,” he held her, “back and forth.” With his legs apart, Jaden juggled weight from one foot to the other without taking a step, moving them softly to the rhythm.

“Feel the pace of the song. Sway with it, move with it. The music is also an extension of us both. Like a vine, we move and unravel with it as we also fold and bend to its allure.”

Claudia had never felt this good while dancing. At most, she’d needed to be intoxicated to get on the dance floor in any club to put her best foot forward and still then she was never as confident as she was now. Gliding with Jaden to this music seemed so normal. And Claudia really felt like an extension of him.

“You’re a fast learner,” Jaden acknowledged.

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