Page 92 of Worth Loving You

“Come on, kitten,” I muttered to myself, my hands in the pockets of my jeans. “Be strong. Don’t give in.”

Dave tapped her on the shoulder, so she twisted her waist to crane her neck and talk to him. Her attention away from the stranger, he took a quick look around, reached into his pocket, and pulled something out. Glancing up at the stage, he dumped whatever it was in her drink.

“What the fuck?”

Pushing off the wall, I barreled through the crowd, seeing shades of red everywhere I looked. “Accidentally” knocking into him, I picked his pocket, stashing his wallet in my back one. At the same time, I bumped Chastity’s arm, knocking the glass from her hand, shattering it on the floor.

“Sorry, buddy. You okay?” I asked her.

She shook the spilled drink from her hand and smiled. “Yeah, I’m good.”

I slid my arm across her shoulders and led her into the crowd. The band started playing music, so I took her hand and spun her around. She squealed, shock marring her face. Snapping her back to me, she stumbled and choked on an inhale.

“What are you doing?”

My brows furrowed. “Dancing.”

“But I…I-I...”

“What?” I peeked over her shoulder at the guy who looked devastated that his prey and his trap were gone. I just ruined his whole night. Refocusing on her, I said, “Nothing to it. Just do what everyone else is.”

She looked over each shoulder, her expression scrunching into a frown. I knew she could dance, I’d watched her and Jennifer many times at the penthouse. Why was she acting so timid?

“Here.” I stepped closer and put my hands on her hips, forcing them to sway.

“Stop,” she whimpered, shrinking into herself.

“What’s the problem?”

“People are looking.”

I snorted, pushing on her hips again. “Literally, no one is paying you any attention.”

My fingers splayed out, enjoying the roundness of her curves. She was just so damn soft. Shimmying even closer, I tipped my head and lowered my voice, but still loud enough to be heard.

“It’s just like making love, Chazzy. You feel the rhythm, get into the groove, and move the hips against your partner’s.”

Her lids were wide, her cheeks blanching. I placed her hands on my shoulders and meshed our chests together. Even though it was a fast-paced tune, we were gradually swaying, our bodies finding that perfect waltz.

“I know how to dance, I just…can’t…with you.”

My movements faltered, taking note of her flushed complexion, her hooded lids, and her quickening breaths. She wasn’t worried about people seeing her dance, she was worried her friends would see she was attracted to me.

Satisfaction coursing through my rushing veins, I held her closer, making sure our bodies rocked together slowly. “We’re just dancing, Chazzy. Nothing wrong with a little dancing.”

Licking her lips, she exhaled a jagged breath and gave a stiff nod. “Right. Just…dancing.”

“So, I guess I should apologize to you.”

“Why?” she squeaked, timidly looking at me through her lashes.

“Because I let that guy hit on you, thinking you would accept his advances.”

Her brows veed together, her nostrils poking out. “Why would you think that?”

I rolled a shoulder. “Honestly? Because I was afraid you were so insecure, you’d accept any flirtation, so long as it was complimentary attention.”

Her feet halted, her mouth opened on a gasp. “That’s a fucked up thing to say!”