He leaned over and nipped at my bottom lip.
He was killing me.
“Go,” he said loudly over the music.
I hesitated. I had never danced in front of anyone before, except for a few dances I’d done at weddings, but the song was always slow, and the dance was nothing like this.
Elio pulled me out of my seat before I could react and turned me until I faced the dance floor.
He slapped my ass.
“Go, baby.”
I looked back and smiled at him, moving over to the dance floor.
The dance instructor was a woman in her fifties with long silver hair braided down her back. And I might have fallen in love with her boots. She clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “Alright, folks! We're going to start with something simple—the Virginia Reel. Partner up!”
I looked around nervously, feeling a little like a fish out of water, as couples formed around me. A guy in a plaid shirt approached with a friendly smile. “Need a partner?”
“Huh?” I glanced back to where I thought Elio would be, but I couldn’t see him. I needed a partner for this, but I didn’t want to partner up with anyone but Elio. Perhaps I should just sit this one out.
Before I could answer, I felt a familiar presence behind me. Elio’s hand settled possessively on my lower back.
“She’s got one,” he said, his voice carrying that edge that had the guy raising his hands and backing away quickly.
I turned to face Elio, surprised. “I thought you didn’t dance.”
“Changed my mind.” His eyes held mine. “I don’t like other men putting their hands on what’s mine.”
The possessiveness in his voice was clear. I should be offended. I wasn’t. I was happy he was here.
We didn’t dance with the group. Elio led me over to a small corner of the dance floor, and I quickly realized why when everyone ended up changing partners every few steps or so.
Elio did his own little dance with me, and he was…
Good.
“You know this dance,” I said when he twirled me around to face him once more.
He grinned. “Matteo likes this place. You pick up a few things if you come here enough times.”
I chuckled. “You are full of surprises.”
He pulled me in close to him, and I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling my heart stall from the move.
“You have no idea, baby,” he said close to my ear.
I shivered at the dark, seductive promise in his voice.
I was in trouble.
Hell.
We endedup staying for another hour, and Elio danced with me for most of the songs.
Sometimes, I would dance by myself, but that didn’t last long. Elio said men were watching me, and he didn’t like it, but I thought it was just his paranoia talking because I didn’t see any men watching but him.
By the time we got out the door, I was running high on the night.
