“You understand, right?” She looked up at him with those big, dark eyes, worry tightening the corners and creasing her brow. “It just… it looks bad.”
Ah. “Your reputation, you mean.”
She nodded, and he brushed a lock of her hair behind one ear.
“The spotlight of fame is always harsher on women, isn’t it?”
“Why, Stone, that was almost poetic.”
“I have my moments.”
She huffed and glanced back at the sofa, her expression turning wistful. “Don’t I know it.”
He headed for the door, because if he stayed, he might try to convince her—and himself—that itwasa good idea. A great idea. The best idea, even.
It wasn’t, though. He knew that. He should be glad she knew it, too, and that Natasha’s call had interrupted them before things had gone further.
But he couldn’t shake the feeling of her on his fingertips, and his body still cried out for her. He’d be dreaming of her tonight, that was for damn sure.
“We’re okay, right?” Gina hugged herself with her arms while he put on his boots.
“Of course.” He straightened and caught the sway of her body toward him before she held herself still again. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He wanted to thank her again—for her thoughtfulness, for the food, for finding him worthy enough to want to share her body with him—but if he did that, they’d start kissing again. Instead, he lifted a hand in a wave and left.
Sixteen
Had she really let him leave?
It was all Gina could think after Stone walked out of her apartment not five minutes after serving her up a bone-melting orgasm, and the thought continued to plague her as she entered the rehearsal room the next day.
It would suck if things were weird between them. They’d finally built up an easy intimacy, and their connection showed on the dance floor. Part of the reason why she’d held back—in addition to her personal rules—was because a fling had the potential to ruin their dancing. Right now, they had a shot at the trophy. A lightning-fast and supercharged orgasm on her sofa wasn’t worth the risk.
Well, maybe it was. It had been a stellar climax.
Stone arrived while Gina was chatting with Aaliyah and getting her lav mic hooked up.
“Feeling better?” Gina asked him, then bit the inside of her cheek before she could say something else stupid. Undeniable evidence of his hard-on had been pressed against her less than twelve hours earlier. The man probably had blue balls all night, unless he’d taken matters into his own hands.
The thought of Stone jerking off in his hotel shower made her bite back a groan. She’d seen every inch of him naked, except for the few covered by his briefs during their weekly spray tanning sessions, and she was certain whatever he was hiding in those briefs was more than just a few inches. From what she’d been able to glean the night before, her mountain man was truly blessed in the penis department.
Stop thinking about his penis, Gina. Just stop it.
“Much better.” He leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek, as he did every day, even though it wasn’t natural for him. He did it because she did it.
His beard scraped her cheek lightly and she drank in the scent of pine that clung to him like a memory. It was their normal greeting. Maybe he wasn’t as affected by their make-out session as she was.
But as he shifted back, their eyes met for a split second. The fiery heat in his gaze shot straight to her core, lighting a flame within her that spread through her body like wildfire. His eyes held barely banked desire and an intensity that thrilled and shocked her.
So, he’d been affected, too.
The fire was gone a second later, replaced by friendly interest. He allowed Aaliyah to mic him up while Gina was left fighting an aroused tremor.
Jordy consulted his laptop. “Before you start, we’re going to record some general soundbites to introduce next week’s dance.”
While Jordy and Aaliyah set up, Gina stood next to Stone, every inch of her aware of him. She could feel the heat emanating from his big body, and it took all her concentration to remain still and keep her eyes on the camera. Would it be too obvious to ask Jordy to interview them separately? Then she wouldn’t have to worry about the camera picking up the flush of arousal spreading over her skin.
And then Donna walked in. Just great.
