Page 35 of Dance With Me
“You’ve been to the police again?” Joe asked.
“I called them last night and gave another statement. I’m doing everything they’re asking of me, but it’s still happening. I don’t know what to do now.” Seb looked so crestfallen, so desolate. Joe just wanted to wrap him up and take him away.
“First and foremost, you’re doing the right thing by having Dom with you. Is he staying overnight, or is Natalia there? You could always stay in my guest room if that would help. Bring Rocco with you.” What was he saying? Clare was allergic to dogs, but if it meant Seb was safe…. He also didn’t like the idea of Dom staying, but he had to get this stupid jealousy out of his head. He had no claim on Seb.
“It’s fine, really. Dom is staying with me when Natalia’s not there, and he’s going to be here as much as he can during the day. I can always ask Hayden next door to be with me to lock up in the evening if he’s still here. Thank you, though, for the offer. I really do appreciate it.”
“Well, you have my number if you ever need anything. I can come out any evening to help you lock up if there’s no one else around. I mean that, Seb.” He brought him in for another hug before he let him go and stood up. It was probably the worst thing he’d done, but he knew it was for the best. If he’d held him any longer, he would have kissed him, and that wasn’t what he or Seb needed at the moment.
Seb had enough complications in his life without adding in his wedding insecurities and his burgeoning feelings for the man. And the feelings were there, he made everything right with just a smile.
“I brought lunch. I couldn’t remember if we decided on anything, so I got some anyway.” He sat at the table on the opposite side to Seb and handed him a sandwich and a bottle of water. “I hope this is OK.”
The smile he received in return was breathtaking. How could anyone want to hurt this man? Joe looked down at his own food before Seb saw the longing in his eyes. He felt dizzy with emotion, wanting the man but knowing deep down it wasn’t right at that moment. Tell his stupid dick that, though, he definitely wanted him! Thankfully, they hadn’t been so close that Seb could feel his erection through his trousers.
“It’s great, thanks. Just what I needed. A good hug and some food.” Seb tucked into the food, smiling again as he did so. Joe was just happy to see him eat.
They ate in silence, glancing at each other every now and then until all the food was gone.
“Do you still want to go for a walk tonight?” Joe asked, clearing the table of rubbish.
“If that’s still OK with you and Clare. It’d be great to get out and blow the cobwebs away. It’s been a tough couple of weeks.”
“Clare’s working, so it’ll just be me if you’re OK with that?” He turned back to look at Seb, willing him to say yes.
“Of course, that’s fine. I’m looking forward to it. But now, let’s get moving.” Seb stood up and stretched, his shirt riding up, showing his flat stomach. Joe looked away quickly. Fuuuuck!!
For the remaining hour or so, Seb put Joe through his paces. Dom came back partway through the lesson and was surprisingly helpful. He even partnered Joe at times. However, Dom’s singing was way off, and Joe was forced to put his hand over his mouth too.
“Don’t you dare lick me,” he warned him. Dom shook his head and crossed his heart, so Joe removed his hand.
“Not me that wants to do the li—”
Seb’s hand came across his mouth again. “Do not finish that sentence.”
Dom laughed again. “It’s just too easy.” He danced out of Seb’s reach. “You know what else is easy?”
“Don’t you have some place to be?”
“Nope,” he said. “I’m your bodyguard until this dickhead is caught. You’re stuck with me, sunshine.”
“On that note,” Joe interrupted, “I have to get back to work.”
“Ah, yes. The busy man in a fine-looking suit. I agree with what you said about his arse, Seb.”
Joe looked over at them both, Dom laughing and Seb trying his best to hide behind his hands, shaking his head as he did so.
Joe didn’t quite know what to say to that and stood open-mouthed. He shut his mouth with a snap and turned away to walk out. He looked back at Seb.
“I’ll pick you up at six thirty, your place?” He raised his eyebrows in question.
“Yep, suits me. I’ll be ready.”
“See you then, looking forward to it.” He winked and walked out.
As he drove back to the office, the windows open in the car to let in the warm June breeze, his thoughts circled back to his feelings for Seb. He felt light and carefree when he was with him, no need to worry about the wedding or anything else. He found the man attractive, beautiful really, and his body was just…. Words couldn’t describe. The smiles he gave to Joe—all stunning. When he was teasing him, teaching him and especially when he was just being himself, turning those mesmerising brown eyes on him.
Joe was falling and falling hard.
