Page 76

Smirking, she leans closer, her breath warm against my skin. “So your intentions weren’t all pure.”

“Not entirely. No. They never are. Not with you around.”

“Good to know. Just do me a favor.”

“Anything,” I reply as I guide her backward until her legs brush the edge of the bed.

“Take it a little easy on me tonight.”

“Still sore from last night?” I grin.

“No. Well, yes. That has something to do with it. But it’s because Hilde talked me into taking a dance class today.”

“So? You used to dance all the time.”

“It was a…pole dance class.”

I stare at her for several long seconds, not saying a word. How can I possibly speak when all I can think of is Wynter wrapped around a pole?

“You took a pole dance class today?” I finally croak out.

She presses her lips together and nods.

I exhale slowly. “I’m pretty sure I just came in my pants at the image my brain concocted.”

She playfully swats my arm. “I’m being serious.”

“So am I. That visual is hot, Wynter.”

“I definitely have a greater appreciation for strippers now. They don’t get the amount of credit they deserve. That shit is hard. And this is coming from someone who spent years walking around with bruised and blistered toes from pointe shoes.”

I step back and cross my arms over my chest. “Show me.”

“What? My toes? They’re not as bad as they used to be. I don’t really⁠—”

“Not your toes. Your moves. Show me what you learned today.”

She looks around the room. “You don’t have a pole.”

“I’ve got one right here,” I joke, palming the front of my jeans.

“Ha ha,” she deadpans.

“But seriously, Wynter.” I erase the space between us, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Dance for me. I used to love watching you. I remember thinking how graceful you were.” I touch a light kiss to one side of her mouth. “How elegant.” I brush my lips against the other side before pulling back, just enough to meet her eyes. “How fucking beautiful you are.”

She blinks, her eyes misting.

“Please, Wynter… Dance for me again.”

“Okay.” Her voice is no louder than a whisper.

I pull her mouth toward mine, covering it in a kiss that’s more tender than I meant it to be. I could kiss her all night long. But I want to see her dance more. So I reluctantly release her and sit on the edge of the bed.

She slips her phone out of her pocket and taps at it a few times before music fills the room.

Slow.

Pulsing.