Stay Close(15)

She loves to dance.

Her small body moves with the dark beat of the bass as I throw back a shot of vodka. There is no burn as the liquid warmth hits my tongue and melts down my throat. I clench the glass because I can’t put my hands where I want them.

The seductive curve of her waist as it cascades to the flare of her hips... I watch transfixed as they move side to side. Side to side. Her body is like the pendulum inside a grandfather clock, and I can’t look away.

The music is deafening, but if she were to simply whisper my name, I would be at her feet, begging to touch what I shouldn’t, taste what doesn’t belong to me, run my hands along the sweet innocence she taunts me with. An innocence I shouldn’t want but crave. Something so pure and untouched like nothing I’ve ever known before.

Slamming the glass down on the bar, I’m both disappointed and relieved when it doesn’t break. Maybe the cut of the glass could cool the feelings I have pulsing though me but I doubt it. Not with her. I’m not sure anything ever could. I would welcome a pain that’s greater than my ache for her. For there is nothing more powerful than the spell she has me under.

I’ve been hired to protect her.

But as I push away from the bar and walk towards her, I can’t help but think that perhaps someone should have protected her from me.

I watch as Pandora steps away from her and goes to the bar on the other side and grabs a bottle of water. She leans up against the bar, watching her sister as she catches her breath. Penelope still dances, and I can’t stand the distance anymore.

The physical distance between us now, and the distance I put between us last night. I hated how she was so cold to me today. It made me miss every part of her, every look in her eyes. I can’t have her keeping that from me.

I see Pandora’s face when she spots me, and she knows they’re busted. But to her credit, she only shrugs and nods towards Penelope. As if it’s her fault they’re here.

Penelope is facing away from me as I walk onto the dance floor. I don’t know the song that plays, but it’s slow, and her body knows every beat.

I should grab her and drag her out of here. I should make her go home and explain that this isn’t smart or safe. I should do anything but slide my hands to her hips. But that’s exactly what I do.

She tenses when I pull her back against my front. I mold her body to mine and press my lips to her ear. “It’s me, krasotu.”

She stills again, but I run my hands along her hips and start to move. I don’t think she wants to move with me, but she can’t stop herself. She loves it too much.

I feel the energy flowing from her, and it passes to me. The music is dark, and the song talks about diamonds. I want to strip Penelope bare and pour them on her. Her skin should only be touched by something worthy of it. Not me. Not my hands. But selfishly I don’t take them off her.

Her exposed shoulder and neck are so close that I can see the light sheen of sweat on them. I lean down, and I can smell the scent of lavender mixed with her body. I have to use all of my strength not to lean down and taste it.

Instead I caress her warm curves, giving in to the beast inside me, taking what I want without thought to consequence. I’m an animal when confronted with her delicate tenderness, but she leans back into me. She rubs the swell of her ass across my aching cock, and I moan into her ear. She shivers, and I move my mouth lower, pressing my lips to her neck. I can’t stop myself, and I don’t know that I care to try anymore.

I kiss across her shoulder and then back up, licking the shell of her ear. I’m out of control, but it feels right. We are lost in this moment, and I don’t want it to end.

I look down at her, and she turns in my arms. Her hands press to my chest, and I feel the lower half of her press closer to me, closer to my hardness. She licks her lips and tilts her head up.

“Potseluy menya.”

She whispers the words, but they echo in my ears. I should stop and think about what she’s asking of me and how she could know Russian. But none of that matters. I simply give her what she asks for.

Leaning down, I place a hand on her neck and feel her pulse against my palm. Her eyes are wide, but not with fear. There is only passion and need, and it matches my own. She closes them as I press my lips to hers, but I keep mine open. I want to see her when I kiss her for the first time. I want to watch her reaction to me.

I know that I can’t let her go and that I won’t give her up. I’ve done bad things in my life, and I don’t deserve her. But I can’t do the honorable thing when it comes to Penelope. I’ve never been noble, and I’m not starting now.

When her tongue comes out and touches mine, that’s when my eyes close. That’s when I’m thrown over the edge and begin the fall.