Page 29 of The Caress

But what’s the point in having it all if you can’t ever enjoy it? What’s the point in clawing my way to the top if I can’t look out and enjoy the view with the people I love the most?

"What are you thinking about?" Ella whispers. Isla is sleeping between us, exhausted from playing in the snow all day.

I wish more than anything that I could stay right here in this moment with the two of them forever. No cares. No worries. Just the three of us staying safe, warm, and happy.

"Just thinking about how nice it is here," I say, which is mostly true. Ella and I need to have a serious talk about our future, if there’s even going to be one for the two of us. But not here. Not now. "And thinking about what we can do tonight. Me and you."

She raises a brow and points at Isla. "I don’t think we can do that while your daughter is sleeping on the couch."

I barely catch myself before I burst out laughing. "I’m not talking about doingthat, though it’s not a bad idea for later."

Now she raises both eyebrows. "Okay, so if we aren’t talking about sex, what did you have in mind?"

"Maybe it should be a surprise." I gently nudge Isla to wake her. "Let’s figure out the babysitting situation, and then you and I can have some grown-up time."

I don’t know what my mother has planned for the evening, but I’m hoping she won’t protest too much about keeping an eye on her only granddaughter. Even if she does protest, I’ll just bribe her.

It wouldn’t be the first time. It probably won’t be the last.

"Should I start getting dressed?" Ella asks. "And are you going to tell me what I should wear to this surprise event? Is it casual? Dressy? Business?"

This time, I don’t try to stop myself from laughing. "Definitely not for business. This trip is all about resting and relaxing. And maybe some dancing."

"Dancing?" She sits up straight on the sofa. "Really? Tonight? You and me?"

"You and me," I say, nodding. "There’s apparently some kind of salsa class going on downstairs this evening. It's not a nightclub or anything, but I think it might be—"

"It’ll be great," she interrupts, clapping a hand over her mouth when Isla shoots her a sleepy scowl. "Sorry," she says, giving my daughter a half-hug before returning her attention to me. "But yes, it’ll be great. I’ll be ready in an hour."

I look down at Isla and shrug. "I guess that means you’re off to have fun with grandma in an hour."

Isla yawns and stretches like a cat, then sighs. "Do you think Grandma will let me play in the snow?"

"No," I answer truthfully, even though I know it’s not what she wants to hear. "But if you behave tonight, I’ll take you out to play in the snow first thing in the morning."

"Okay! I’ll be good!"

She runs off, and now I’m sitting on the couch by myself, already dreading the promise I just made. It’ll be worth it for some alone time with Ella tonight, though.

It isn’t often that I willingly volunteer to do something I’m not great at. Especially when it’s something I have to do in front of other people.

Salsa dancing class is definitely one of those things that I would never, ever sign up for under normal circumstances. But being here with Ella somehow makes it bearable. Enjoyable, even.

Mostly because it isn’t about me. This is her night, and she’s clearly in her element. While it obviously isn’t the same as ballet, I can tell that being here and moving around the dance floor scratches an itch that Ella has probably had for a while.

She’s smiling and laughing as we shimmy and sway around the room. She’s mercifully overlooking my two left feet along the way.

"Thank you for tonight," she says as the class starts winding down. "I didn’t realize how badly I needed something like this."

"Thank you for coming here with me," I say, leaning in and planting a light, chaste kiss on her cheek. "I’m glad you had a good time. You deserve it after everything you’ve done for me."

We keep dancing for a few more minutes before they cut the music off. It’s taken until the end of the class for me to feel comfortable with the rhythm and the steps, but now I can finally start to enjoy the beautiful woman in my arms.

She’s beaming, radiant, and gorgeous. And I’m the luckiest bastard in the world to be here with her right now. I could honestly keep dancing with her all night if they’d let us. That realization makes me wonder what I’m doing with my life if I’m not making plans for the future with Ella.

She’s perfect. Perfect for me, at least. We balance each other out in a way I’ve never experienced with anyone else before. I doubt I’ll ever have it with anyone else again.

I love her.

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