Page 30 of Daring to Love

“It is, yes. Takes a lot of concentration out of me, but I do my best thinking after an hour or two of it, so I like that part.”

“That’s partly the same for me,” I admit. “With my dancing, I mean…it’s more than physical exertion, you know.” I put my elbow on the bench behind me and rest my chin on my fist. “Your mind has to know every single step, pirouette, before your body takes over. It’s exhilarating and exhausting at the same time – but that’s one of the things I love about it.”

“And yet you still study criminology?” He mirrors my pose, keeping my eyes captivated. “You’re a walking contradiction, aren’t you?”

I cock my head at him.

“I don’t think so. I need to fall back on something when my dancing days are over, or if…” I swallow hard, the words are so difficult to push past my lips. He lifts his head from his fist and moves slowly, a questioning look in his eyes. I can’t look away, and I nod slowly, admitting that I’ve wanted to feel his touch ever since he knocked on my door earlier. The intense way he keeps my eyes locked with his as he runs his knuckles down my cheek, makes it difficult to breathe. I shiver from his touch. Even though it’s over quickly, my skin is set ablaze, and I feel a blush creeping up my neck.

“If?”

“If my career ends sooner…if I, for some reason, can’t be a professional dancer anymore, I need a plan b.”

“I’m sure it won’t happen.”

His thumb and forefinger settle on my chin, lifting my face, and he bends his head. Alarm bells go off in my head, but the closer he gets, the weaker they become until they fall on deaf ears.

“Finlay…,” I don’t recognise my own voice when it comes out husky…I sound needy and desperate for him, my lips tingling. “We shouldn’t…”

“I know,” he rasps. “Fuck, I know that, but I can’t resist you.”

He stares at my mouth, and my tongue darts out to wet my lips, catching his thumb, and the most erotic sound I’ve ever heard leaves his lips. It’s a rumble that comes from deep inside him, a primal sound that shoots warmth to my very core.

It’s insane, this attraction…

He hasn’t even kissed me again, and yet I’m panting, and I can feel my nipples harden against my bra. My breasts grow heavy, fuller, and I yearn to taste his lips again.

“Fuck, I want you,” he sighs against me.

“I want you, too,” I admit. The way he looks at me – with desperation, desire, and uncertainty – make me bolder, and I scoot closer towards him, plastering myself against the hard planes of his chest.

“It’s madness…”

I nod as I tuck my face in the crook of his neck. His pulse beats frantically, just like mine…I don’t know how long I’ll be able to take it.

“Kiss me, please.”

I don’t mind that I’m begging. I’ve never wanted someone the way I want him…the need inside me drives me, begging to be fulfilled, and I know he’s the only one who can quench my thirst for him.

“Are you sure?”

I place a small kiss on his jaw, loving the way he groans, his voice sending another rush of wetness to my pussy.

“You’re so innocent…I can’t help but feel I’m taking advantage of you.”

I tense in his arms and slowly raise my head. I don’t know what comes over me, but gone is the shy, awkward girl, replaced with a woman who knows her own mind. One who revels in the passion I see shining from pupils so dark, they’re almost completely black.

If he pulls away from me again, I’m going to throttle him.

“Listen to me carefully, Finlay. I’ve waited a really long time to feel the way I feel when I’m with you…please don’t push me away.”

He’s grinding his teeth so hard as he keeps our gazes locked, but I don’t back down. An inexplicable feeling is building in my chest…it stems from desire, yes, but I also feel empowered. I’m making this man feel powerless – this funny, sexy stranger is worried for my sake, only intensifying the fire bubbling in my veins.

I’m done waiting for him.

C’est maintenant ou jamais.

It’s now or never. And never isn’t an option…it never was where Finlay is concerned.