Page 42 of Penalty Kick

“I was trying to help. I thought it would make Padre make a move. You know that,” he defended.

Talia sighed. “My point is, be the guy I know you to be. The one who defended Tanner without thinking. The one who didn’t blink about having to do a job he knew nothing about, half naked, because I sprained my ankle. I like that guy. A lot.”

The corner of Dash’s mouth quirked upward, a devilish grin taking over. Talia could see the spark in his eye. More than that, she could feel the same spark inside her. It was making her giddy, hoping that his smile meant that he wanted to kiss her as much as she wanted him to.

“That guy likes you too.” Dash gave her a wink, pushing off the couch and onto his feet. Spinning around as if he were on a dance floor, he held out his hand. “He also thinks we should salsa. I am much better than that grandpa in the movie.”

“I am aware. I’ve seen the Vegas video,” she quipped.

“Then what are you waiting for? Dance with me.”

* * *

Talia placed her hand in Dash’s, sucking in a deep breath. A second later she was off the couch and on her feet, her body colliding with his. The hardness of his chest compared to the softness of the hand wrapping around her waist made her shiver with anticipation. Dash somehow seemed to sense it, dragging his finger lightly up her spine, his eyes locked on hers.

Licking her lips, she tried to push down the nerves that were taking over. She didn’t want him to know how on edge she was. More than that, she wanted to be fully in this moment, enjoying it, not all stuck in her head. She trusted Dash. Trusted that whatever was about to happen between them, he had her—and her best interest—at heart. That made her feel safe. Well, that and the warmth of his arms around her.

Dash guided her into the proper salsa hold—or at least what she thought was the proper hold—his hand settling in the middle of her back, pulling her close. Their bodies were almost flush together, his hand holding her securely in place, the heat from it searing through her thin T-shirt. For as close as they were, he was still too far away. Her senses were in overdrive now, his spicy scent filling her nostrils, making her head swimmy. She felt like she could lose control at any minute, and all they had done was stand here. Heaven help her once they started moving.

“Just follow my lead, Talia,” Dash whispered. Her name sounded like magic rolling off his tongue. She’d gotten so used to him calling her Bonita that hearing her actual name added something to the moment.

Rolling his hips forward, Dash nudged hers backwards. She followed his movements, unsure about her own steps, letting him guide her however he saw fit. The closest she’d ever gotten to actually salsa dancing was the few moves in a Zumba class, but those were nothing like this. That was exercise. This…this was pure seduction.

“Cry to Me” played in the background, and Talia knew exactly what was happening in the almost forgotten movie. Baby and Johnny were having a moment just like this one, alone in his cabin. She’d always wondered exactly how Baby had felt during this scene, what it was like to just let go. Now here she was, having her own moment. Letting go the same way the character had. And it was just as intoxicating as she had always imagined. Mimicking his movements, rocking forward and back, finding a slow rhythm, Talia relaxed even more. Dash’s gaze stayed locked on her, making her feel like she was the only thing on this planet. Nothing else existed as they continued to move.

“Do you know how beautiful you are?” Dash asked.

Flames rose up Talia’s cheeks, her eyes racing to look anywhere but at Dash. He had to be kidding. Sure, he called her Bonita, but she’d figured that was just a pet name, like “sweetie” or “darlin’.” Not something he had actually meant. Plus, had he looked in the mirror?

“I don’t know that I’m the pretty one in this friendship,” she answered, trying not to lose her balance. Dash’s arm wrapped around her tighter, pulling her in closer.

The almost imperceptible gap that had been between them was gone now, their bodies pressed against one other, still moving in time with whatever music Dash had in his head. Talia’s heart skipped a beat, wanting so badly to kiss him.

“You are. And this is more than a friendship, yes?”

YES!!!!

“Do…do you want it to be?” she returned. She had no idea where this coyness was coming from, but she wasn’t going to argue. She just hoped that her racing heart didn’t give away that every fiber of her was screaming that she wanted more than just friendship with him.

“I have been doing something very wrong if you do not know the answer to that.”

That was all it took. Talia’s insides melted, her whole body suddenly feeling like goo. Hot, molten goo. She needed to respond with something other than the idiotic nodding that was taking over her thoughts. Where was her sarcasm now? It was always locked and loaded, at the ready, except apparently when she needed it most. No, that wasn’t what she needed. She needed something smooth and sexy, that would match Dash and his swagger.

Kiss him…

The little voice inside her head was right. She’d been wanting to kiss him ever since he’d walked into her apartment. Even more so since he’d taken her in his arms and held her as the rhythm took over. What the hell was she waiting for?

Hands sliding to his pecs, fingers grasping onto his shirt, Talia started to pull Dash close, just as he pushed forward, expecting her to still be following his lead. Losing her balance, Talia let out a little shriek, stumbling backward, hands still clutching fabric. They were a mess of limbs as they tumbled to the side, twisting in the air. The couch broke their fall, and Dash landed right on top of Talia.

Way to kill the moment…

Dash pushed halfway up, looking her up and down, making sure she was okay. Holding her breath, she waited for him to say something. Anything.

“If you wanted me on top of you, all you had to do was ask,” he joked.

“It is a pretty great view.”

“You are not hurt though, yes?”