She repositioned herself back in front of me. “Can you hold me tighter?”
I refused to summon the images I wanted as I wrapped my arm around her neck once more.
“Am I hurting you?” I asked.
“No.” A pregnant pause ensued. “Tighter.”
“Try it now,” I demanded.
She pulled the same move, only this time, because of how strongly I held her to me, she struggled more than last time, but as she wiggled around, her ass hitting against my groin at some point and causing me to grunt, she broke free, shoving her hands into my chest as she pushed herself away.
“Very good.”
Her smile was back, in full force this time, lighting up her entire face.
“I like that look on you,” she said, pointing at me before adjusting her ponytail.
“What look?” I had no idea what she referred to.
“When you smile. You actually look like someone who doesn’t murder people for a living.”
“Wha… I don’tmurderpeople.”
“I’m exaggerating, of course. But most of the time you do look like you want to hurt someone. It wouldn’t kill you to smile every once in a while. Like I said, it looks good on you.” She toyed with the hem of her shirt when I didn’t respond right away.
“Smiling is reserved for happy people,” I finally said, uncomfortable indulging in this type of banter.
“And you’re not happy?”
“Not generally, no.”
“Why? What’s so wrong with—”
“Stop.” I rubbed at the sudden ache that had formed in the center of my chest. “I agreed to show you some moves. Not discuss life.” My tone was curter than I intended, and the aversion of her eyes told me she understood not to push.
“Sorry.” The corner of her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth. “We can stop if you want.”
“I have a couple more to show you, and then we’ll stop.”
“Okay.”
Diving right back into the reason why we’d entered this back room, I moved toward her. Her eyes locked to mine before she dropped her eyeline. The movement was subtle, but I caught her staring at my mouth before she looked back up. I could’ve called her out on it, but I refrained.
“The next position is called the mount.”
Her lips parted, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she looked a bit frightened. Although there was a fair amount of intrigue laced behind her stare as well.
“Lie down on the floor.”
Hesitation weaved through her movements as she lowered herself to the ground, her breathing picking up when I straddled her waist.
“Are you all right?”
Sophie snapped her lips closed and inhaled deeply through her nose before releasing the air from her lungs.
“Are you all right?” I repeated, needing her answer before continuing.
“I know you’re not going to hurt me, but this position is scary.”
