Sexy Jerk(53)

I want to dance like this forever. With him watching me and laughing, I never want this song to end. But it does, and when it does I slide onto the sofa beside him. He's still laughing, and I struggle to find the air to laugh with him.

Before I have, he crushes his mouth over mine. With the scent of his cologne, the heat of skin, and the taste of him, hot and sharp-I know that I definitely am falling for him.

He slows the kiss, feather brushes of lip on lip, and the quick and furtive slip of his tongue inside my mouth.

Then he breaks the kiss, pulling back only an inch to gaze into my eyes. "Let's go back to your place tonight."

Nick hasn't been to my place yet. Not because I didn't want him there, but simply because it is a mess, and I have very little in terms of furniture. His place is much more comfortable. I place my palms flat on his chest. "Not tonight, tomorrow night, give me a day to get it cleaned up."

His lashes are low-lidded with lust as he studies me. "Okay, we'll go out on a date."

I hold his heated gaze. "A real date?"

"Yeah," he laughs, "I'll pick you up at seven and we'll have dinner at Alinea.

I lean in to place a chaste kiss on his mouth. "It sounds like fun."

"It will be," Nick winks.

I shake my head.

When the song changes to a slower one, Nick stands and offers me his hand. "Dance with me."

I take his hand and our fingers lace. "I'd love to."

Nick points to a small section of the floor that is a little less crowded. On the way, we pass Fiona, Ethan, and Jace, and I can't help but stare. Jace is as tight against her back as Ethan is in the front. The three of them are bumping and grinding and laughing. 

Nick calls out to me, obviously having noticed my head craned over my shoulder. I turn back, just as wide-eyed as they were when they saw Nick and I kissing. "Did you see that?" I ask him when he stops.

He draws me close and places a hand on my waist. "They're just having fun."

I put my palms on his shoulders. "How much fun?"

After a step, he slides his knee between my thighs. "It doesn't mean anything, Tess. Leave it alone."

I move along, following his lead, in this seductive dance he's entangled us in. "I wouldn't say anything to Fi. I'm just . . . I don't know . . . curious."

Nick put his other hand on my side, up high, just under my breast. "They did the same thing New Year's Eve. Fiona just wants to make sure Jace has a good time. She knows he's not looking for a woman, or to have sex. All he wants right now is to feel like he's not alone."

My hand slides from his shoulder to cup the back of his neck. The edges of his hair tickle my knuckles. The heat of his hand brands me through my top. And his words affect me. "I get that," is all I say, and then I drop the subject.

It isn't any of my business.

It has been a long time since I danced with a man and could see my own desire reflected back in his gaze. It steals my breath and I draw my tongue out to lick my lips.

Nick catches me, and slides his hand up my back to tangle in my hair, tip my head back, bare my throat to his mouth as he bends to slide his lips along my skin. "You look so fucking sexy tonight."

I can feel myself gasp but I can't hear it over the thumping of my heart.

The slow, sensual beat of the music has drawn a crowd, and the dance floor is packed.

Nick slides his other hand up to cup my breast through the silky fabric of my low-cut top.

Nobody is watching us.

No one cares.

His cock presses hard against my belly. The sensation parts my lips, and his gaze watches my mouth again. "The things you do to me," he murmurs in my ear.

"Tell me," I whisper back.

The crowd is all around us, and he splays his hand wide across my ass and presses his erection against me. "How about I show you."

And feeling him against me, I lose myself.

In his eyes.

In his touch.

In the pounding of the music.

In him.

"I'd really like that," I say.

His breath blows hot against my skin as he nuzzles my ear. "Let's get out of here."

I look up at him and nod.

Nick takes me by the elbow and steers me off the dance floor. We pass by Fiona, Ethan, and Jace who are still in the same place they were when we passed by them the first time.

Nick stops to whisper something into Ethan's ear, and Ethan gives us a wave. Fiona is too caught up in the bump and grind to notice us. And Jace seems lost to the music.

Once we get our coats, we step out into the cold and start walking fast. Nick has to grab my hips to stop me from stepping into the street.

"My hero," I tell him, as I turn and wrap my arms around him.

"I think you've had way too much to drink. No one has ever called me that."