This past month, being in a real relationship with Isla had opened my eyes to what I had been missing out on all these years. Being with someone I loved had actually been more freeing than confining. Choosing to be with Isla was the best decision I’d ever made.
The DJ’s voice sounded over the room. “One last song before we countdown to midnight. So grab that special someone, and get out on the dance floor.”
I took Isla’s hand and started pulling her out onto the dance floor and away from our friends. “Come dance with me.”
She smiled and let me lead her out into the middle of the floor, the sequins on her royal blue dress sparkling in the light of the disco ball. I placed my arms around her waist, bringing her flush with my body as her arms wrapped around my neck. The slow song started, and we began to dance in slow circles.
She looked absolutely stunning tonight. My jaw had hit the floor when she’d walked in wearing a strapless fitted gown with an almost indecently high side slit showing off her toned leg, her blonde hair down and curled.
“What?” she asked with a smile, breaking through my thoughts.
I must have been staring again. Something I’d been doing all night.
“I’m still trying to figure out how I got the most gorgeous and amazing woman to be my girlfriend,” I said half serious, half teasing.
She laughed and shook her head. “You know you don’t have to try so hard. We both know you’re getting lucky tonight.”
I raised one brow. “Is that so?”
“The way you’ve been undressing me with your eyes all night has already gotten me hot and bothered.” She played with the hair at the nape of my neck, sending small sensations of pleasure through me. “I would have thought the taste you got this afternoon would have helped to curb your craving.”
We’d already been together this afternoon, but I seemed to be insatiable when it came to her.
“I blame you.”
“Me?” She gave me a look of surprise. “How?”
“It’s your fault that as amazing as you look in this dress,” I leaned down close to her ear and said in a low voice, “I know that you look even more amazing out of it.”
Her cheeks went pink at my words, but she was quick to recover. “So does that mean we’ll be leaving soon after the clock strikes midnight?” Her gaze was already filled with want.
“You’d better believe it.” I was sure my eyes were as hungry as hers.
A wicked grin spread across her lips, and I loved that I was the one who got to see this side of her.
We danced in silence for a few moments before I said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being here with me tonight.” I swallowed, trying not to get emotional. “For helping me focus on the future and not reliving the past.”
She moved one of her hands until it rested over my heart. “I’ll always be here for you, Slate.”
I placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I know.” And that was the even more wonderful part of all this. Not only was she here tonight, but she’d always be there for me, no matter what.
The song soon came to an end as the DJ announced it was the time we’d all been waiting for.
The countdown started as we continued to stare into each other’s eyes.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
As I looked down at Isla, I couldn’t help but think about how different these past few months had gone for me. Surprisingly, I was grateful to Josh for being a jerk of a boyfriend and talking his girlfriend into moving to be with him, only to break up with her soon after.
Five.
