Page 34 of Dancing on Air

From the first moment he’d seen her, he’d wanted her. When he acted out or argued with her, it was only to try and push those feelings aside. To prove to himself that he could live without her.

Now, after this, he understood there was no denying it. He belonged to her. Completely.

“Max?” She cupped his face.

“Cora, I…” He shook his head slightly.

Her smile confirmed that she knew what she’d done to him. Then she lifted on her toes and kissed him.

In one quick move, he had her in his arms and marching towards his bedroom.

When he laid her down gently on the bed and covered her with his own body, the soft sounds she made almost undid him.

How long had it been since he’d felt this much?

She tugged his shirt over his head. Helped him pull his jeans down his hips. After his clothes disappeared, he fumbled in the drawer of his nightstand for the condoms.

“I want to take my time to appreciate everything,” he said against her skin.

“Later,” she sighed as she wrapped her legs around him. “For now, let’s enjoy the speed and passion.” She sank her teeth gently into his shoulder, and he growled as his desire spiked.

“Later, you’ll pay for that,” he said with a smile, causing her to chuckle.

He gripped her hands and lifted them above her head, then settled between her legs.

“You are incredible,” he said to her. When her eyes heated, he slid into her with one swift movement and stilled.

There were times in his life he knew without a doubt that he would never forget. His first kiss. The first time he stood on the stage and looked out at the audience giving him a standing ovation. That day two years ago when the gunfire started and he lost his team, his brothers and sister in arms. Watching Cora dance in his great-aunt’s studio. This very moment when he lost his mind and his heart at Cora’s simple gift, which she’d allowed him to take from her.

Later, Cora was wrapped around him as he stared up at his ceiling and tried to figure out just how screwed he was.

It wasn’t a written rule that he couldn’t sleep with BAC dancers. Hell, his parents had gotten together when they’d been working with one another.

But Max knew what outsiders would think if they found out. They’d think he had given Cora the lead just because he was sleeping with her.

In truth, it was his parents who had picked Cora for the lead this time. Max hadn’t even been at the auditions. His opinion hadn’t been requested or wanted by either of his parents.

He had been thankful his father had chosen Cora. Surprised, but thankful.

When Cora rolled over and looked down at him, he realized she hadn’t been sleeping.

“You’re already regretting this?” she asked, shifting to rest her chin on her hands, which lay across his chest.

“No,” he answered as his fingers played over her shoulder. “You should have told me I was your first.”

“Someone had to be. I’m glad it was you.”

“I could have…” he started, but he stopped when she laid a finger over his lips.

“It was perfect. Better than I could have ever imagined.” She smiled down at him.

“It will be even better next time,” he promised. Then he frowned.

“What’s that for?”

“I’m just trying to figure out what everyone else will think,” he admitted.

She rolled her eyes. “God, don’t tell anyone. I can just imagine the gossip now. I’d rather no one found out about this.” She shifted to get up, but he stopped her.