“Okay, then why did you?”
That question is harder to answer.
“I don’t know. I guess I wanted to let loose, relax, forget about gymnastics and everything else for a night.” And maybe I wanted to celebrate, even knowing it’s only one small victory.
“Then let’s do that.”
“What?”
“All of the above,” he says like it’s the most obvious thing. “Let’s kick back and party. Screw everything outside of these walls.”
“Just like that, huh?”
“Yeah.” He bobs his head—part agreement and part excitement.
“I can’t remember the last time I partied all night long. Or stayed up all night.”
“You’re in luck then because I am fantastic at both partying and staying up all night.”
“Why does that not surprise me?”
He keeps right on grinning at me. “Is that a yes? Are we doing this?”
I think he’s more excited about the prospect than I am, but I have to admit, I’m feeling more anticipation than I have all night.
“Let’s do it.”
“Yes!” He clenches one hand into a fist and then leans forward, rubbing both palms together.
“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
“Only if it’s areallygreat night.” He winks, then his expression gets more serious. “What do you want to do? Shots? Dancing? Gambling? Kissing? All of the above?”
His gaze drops to my mouth and my face heats.
“I like dancing.” The other things sound fun too, but I might need to take baby steps.
Travis drains his champagne in one, long gulp, his stare never leaving me. When he’s finished, he sets the glass down, gets up from the table and holds a hand out to me. “Show me your moves, Han.” He grimaces at the nickname, then tries a couple more. “Hannie. Nannie.”
He shakes his head, seemingly displeased with all of them. “It’ll come to me.”
Over the next hour, that’s exactly what I do. He finds Kinsley and Skylar, still in the center of the dance floor. Kinsley squeals with delight as Travis twirls me around beside her. He makes me feel nervous but not insecure. Quite the opposite, actually. I feel incredibly free to just be myself.
I’m not surprised in the least to discover he’s a good dancer, too. But he takes his cues from me. He doesn’t try to grind up on me like so many guys do, and when Kinsley pulls me in with her and Skylar, he hangs back, still smiling, giving me space to have fun with my friends but not leaving either.
And he has plenty of opportunity. He’s a magnet for women. I don’t know if it’s his whole tall, dark hair, handsome face or his dancing or just the air of charm and confidence about him, but Travis could have any woman he wanted in this club. The fact that he doesn’t seem to have eyes for anyone but me is a heady feeling.
When my feet hurt and my scalp pricks with sweat, I fan myself and yell, “I need another drink!”
Without any hesitation, he agrees by wrapping his long fingers around my wrist and leading me through the crowd, which has multiplied since we’ve been out here, back to the table.
“More champagne?” he asks, holding up the bottle. It’s nearly empty. “It’s your night. You should have the last glass.”
How can I say no to that? I nod and he fills me up. He pours himself scotch and then drapes one arm around the back of the booth and angles his body toward me.
“You were great out there. Not that I’m surprised,” he says. “I’ve seen your floor routine.”
“You have?!”
