Page 7 of Giovanni the Savage

A corny line for a club, but I'm not about to freak her out again.

She looks stunned for a second but blinks and steps closer, her strawberry scent washing through me.

"Yeah, sure," she yells.

A few of the dancers retire to their seats because of the change in the song genre.

Only six pairs of people are on the dance floor, so there's enough space.

She laughs nervously. "I'm not so good at this."

I wrap my hand around her slim waist and tug her gently to me, selfishly drinking in more of her scent.

"So, why'd you agree to it?" I ask, interlocking our hands.

She shrugs as her other hand finds my shoulder.

"Cause I felt like I owe you. And I don't want to be indebted."

My lips form a smirk.

"So, a dance would clear the debts?"

I step backward, causing her to do the same before spinning her around.

"It's a start."

"How about a couple drinks?" I offer, my fingers drawing circles on her lower back.

"Are you taking advantage of my indebtedness?" she asks lightly, smiling.

I shrug. "Drinks just might clear it completely."

We're silent for a while, simply going in tandem with the music. I'm staring into her brown, soulful eyes, and she's staring back into mine. It feels like she's pulling apart every inch of my soul, and I've never felt more naked in my life.

We can have those drinks.

I smile. "Sure."

Her hand finds the crook of my elbow. She holds me tightly as I weave her through the large club. I feel her stop short when we pass the regular bar area, but she doesn't stop me or say anything; she only holds my arm tighter. We move past a series of drunk clubbers and head up a flight of stairs that are lined with floor lights.

The music subsides as we go up the stairs and turn into an open space. This is similar to the one downstairs; the only difference is that it's the “Members Only” space.

This part of the club is much more luxurious than the one downstairs, and only a few people are scattered around, nursing their drinks and humming to the soft tunes.

"This is nice," she comments, sliding onto a bar stool.

"Thanks. This is like a little hideout from the chaos downstairs."

I turn to find her eyes on me, but she clears her throat and glances away.

"Do you come here often?" she asks instead.

"Why do you ask?"

She looks around. "Let's start with your access to the members only lounge."

I chuckle. "That doesn't count."

---