Three

I stared up at him. He was a beautiful man. His face was beautiful. In an ethereal way. I hadn’t ever seen a man so beautiful.

So naturally, when he offered me his hand, I took it. His fingers wrapped softly around mine, but firmly. He stood up first, looking at me expectantly. I gulped, but followed suit. I looked around, and Cassie was still talking to the two men she had targeted earlier. Mike wasn’t back from the restroom, yet. Was he okay?

I didn’t have time to think about Mike. Not like I wanted to.

Declan led me gently to the dance floor. The smoky air hung heavy, the faint thrum of the bassline vibrating through the polished floorboards. Declan's hand was warm, his fingers weaving between mine with practiced ease.

"May I have this dance?" he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.  I laughed a little at that. “You’ve already led me here.”

His eyes were darkened with a hunger that mirrored the sudden frantic hammering of my own heart.

Before I could stammer out a reply, he was already pulling me close. My breath hitched as my body collided with his, the stark contrast between his broad chest and my slender frame sending a jolt of electricity through me.  His hand slid down my back, sending a delicious spark igniting at my lower spine.

The song was slow, a sultry melody that seemed to surround us, like a circle. Like a tornado that we were in the eye of. His hand on my back was enough to be shutting out the noise and chatter of the bar. Declan moved with a practiced confidence, his movements guiding my own effortlessly. I surrendered to his lead, my body swaying instinctively against his.

His touch was dominant yet strangely gentle, sending a delicious mix of shivers and warmth radiating through me.  He dipped me low, his hand possessively circling my waist, pulling me impossibly close.  The scent of his cologne, a mix of citrus and something musky that was uniquely him, filled my senses.

I tilted my head back, meeting his gaze.  His eyes were ablaze with an intensity that made my breath catch in my throat.  He leaned in closer, the faint stubble on his jaw grazing my cheek as he whispered against my lips, "You’re a stunning woman, Willow.”

His husky voice sent a wave of heat washing over me.  I felt breathless, my body acutely aware of every point of contact with his.  This wasn't just a dance; it was a silent conversation, a heated exchange spoken entirely through the press of our bodies and the scorching intensity of his gaze.

The song faded out, leaving an aching silence in its wake.  Declan lingered for a moment, his eyes holding mine before a slow, seductive smile curved his lips.  The air crackled with unspoken desire, and for a stolen moment, lost in the smoky haze of the posh bar, it felt like the entire world had shrunk down to the space between us.

Declan’s hand lightly traced the sheer material of my top. He smiled. “You’re dressed like a siren,” he said, “But you have the face of a dove.” His head dipped to my ear. He lightly bit the upper part of my ear. “Soft. Innocent. I’m going to make a dirty girl out of you tonight.”

I drew in a sharp breath, then I looked up at him. “What makes you think I’m going to let you do that?”

His hand came to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered there, making slow descent down the skin of my neck, as each hair on my body stood on end. “I know,” he said softly, “Because of the way your body responds to me.” He paused, “Tell me, Willow, if I kissed you right now, what would you say?”

He didn’t wait for an answer. His head dipped to catch my mouth with his. His lips were soft, gentle, yet demanding. He kissed me slowly, languidly, taking his time as he savored my lower lip, and then the upper. The kiss was wet, our mouths made a soft sound as they moved. I found myself responding to his demanding lips against mine with full fervor. I was the one who pushed my tongue inside his mouth, and he made a low sound in his chest, pulling me impossibly closer to him. My chest brushed against his. My nipples, hardened like pebbles, were pointy against the thin material of my top. I was sure he could feel them. It was embarrassing, to be so turned on by a simple kiss.

When he pulled back, I lightly took a deep breath in. His lips widened into a grin.

“I – “ I began to speak, but I couldn’t. I reached up on my tiptoes to lay a peck on him. He chuckled against my mouth. “I guess you say nothing, dove.” He kissed me again.