I wet my bottom lip. “I could show you now.”
“Just for me.” He takes my hands in his, kissing them. “Before everyone else gets to fall in love with the way you move.”
“Just for you,” I agree. My heart thrums with anticipation.
“I would love that.” He kisses me softly. “Where do you want me?”
I move him to sit at the island, facing the living room. “Here is perfect.”
“What else do you need from me, kitten?”
“Just your attention.”
“You always have that, even when I’m not with you.”
I kiss his cheek and hand him my phone. “I’ll tell you when to press play.”
He glances at the screen. “This is my favorite song.”
“It’s one of mine, too.” Because of him. We danced to it at Dred and Connor’s wedding.
I move to stand in the middle of the room before I kick off my shoes and pull my dress over my head, leaving me in panties and a bralette. I bought them when I went shopping with the girls a few weeks ago and decided to wear them tonight.
“God, you’re stunning.” Flip’s eyes move over me on a hot sweep that I feel everywhere.
I give him my back and toss a wink over my shoulder.
He chuckles. “You’re too saucy for your own good.”
“You love it.” I pull my hair into a ponytail.
“I absolutely do,” he agrees.
I move into position. “You can press play, now.”
My phone is connected to his portable speaker, so the music fills the room and flows through me. It’s such a pretty, soft opening. Awareness makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I spin, and our eyes lock. The intimacy of being on display like this foronlyhim ignites a deep, primal desire to be his in all ways.
His eyes move over me, reflecting the longing I feel, along with unquenchable desire. Everything changes—the shift irrevocable. I’m falling for him, for what we are, for what we could be. I’m scared, but I’ve never felt more alive.
He watches me hungrily, as I become the music, the emotions washing over and through me. I could do this all day just for him. I close the distance between us as I shift into an arabesque. He reaches for me, and I adapt the end of the routine, spinning into his waiting arms as the final notes sound.
“How was that?” My heart pounds as I try to recover my breath.
Flip gazes at me with such admiration, my knees go weak. “You are simply exquisite.” He stands and lifts me off my feet, wrapping my legs around his waist. “It’s an honor to be yours.”
I run my fingers through his hair as he carries me across the apartment. My already unsteady breath leaves me entirely as we enter his bedroom. Hundreds of candles illuminate the space (the kind with batteries, lesson learned), and pink rose petals dot the dark blue comforter, which is pulled back to reveal teal sheets.
“Phillip.” It’s a question enrobed in hope.
He moves to the bed, freeing my hair from the tie before he lays me down and stretches out over me. He traces the contours of my face with trembling fingers. “I don’t have expectations, Tally, but I won’t deny you anymore.” He kisses me. “I can’t.”
He’s so earnest, eyes soft and full of yearning. I press my trembling hand to his cheek. “You want me?”
“Always, Tally. Every minute of every day, you consume me.” He turns his head, kissing my palm. “I want you to be mine, and I want to be yours.”
The weight of his words settles in my heart.This is really happening. “I want this part of me to be yours.”
I’ll be his in every way. I understand why he was so intent on waiting. It feels right now, like we’re connected deeply, wholly and completely. I’m sharing a special piece of myself with him, and he’s doing the same for me.
