What in the world was she talking about? Kane looked at me as nothing more than a friend, and we had agreed on being exactly that just one week ago. One week. It really seemed like I had known Kane so much longer than a week.
The boys returned to the table before I could question Jessi more about her last statement. Kane slid in beside in me but never uttered a word to me. He placed my drink in front of me and began sipping from his bottle of beer. This night was shaping up to be one of the most pathetic nights of my life.
I was about halfway through my drink when Nate approached our table. He smiled at everyone before looking to me. “Wow, Kelsey. You look amazing.”
I felt a blush creep up my neck to my face. At least someone had noticed and commented on my new appearance. I just wished it had come from a different person.
“Thanks,” I said, managing a small smile at him.
“So, could I bother you for a dance?”
Everyone at the table was deathly quiet while they waited for my answer. They all stared at me, including Kane, who was staring at me so hard you would think he was trying to look through me.
I shook my head. “Maybe later? We just got here. I’m still not finished with my drink.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Nate nodded and winked before walking away.
I can’t tell if it’s the music playing, but I could have sworn I heard Kane growl at Nate before he left.
We sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before Jessi drug Landon out onto the dance floor. Kane’s actions tonight were making me nervous and I began fidgeting—messing with my hair, pulling at my dress … anything to distract me from the awkward tension between us.
After a few moments, Kane cleared his throat and I looked at him through my lashes.
“You really do look amazing, Kelsey.”
“Thank you,” I clipped out. I knew I sounded bitchy, but I was a little hurt. I couldn’t figure out if he was only telling me because Nate had said it. Because if he had meant it, why in the world would he have waited so long to tell me?
He let out a loud sigh and began scrubbing his face with his hands. I watched him for a second before he turned in the seat to completely face me. “Look, I know I should have told you earlier but I was stunned when you stepped out of the cab. I’ve never seen you in anything other than jeans, and, honestly, those sexy legs of yours had me floored. I loved what I was seeing, but it also made me jealous that other guys would be seeing it—enjoying it—just as much as me. And for that I am a complete ass.”
It took me a moment to fully grasp what he was saying. He liked how I looked and the reason he was so quiet about it all this time was because he didn’t like the idea of other guys checking me out? So did this mean … No he couldn’t. Could he?
I took a good look at Kane. His eyes never wavered from mine. Could the feeling that I have been feeling for him actually be mutual?
Just as I opened my mouth to ask him that question, he surprised me by speaking first.
“Can we just start this night over? Will you dance with me?”
I couldn’t seem to make my brain function enough to form words so I just nodded. Kane slid from the booth and took my hand to help me out of it as well, and we made our way to the dance floor. A slower, more relaxed song was playing, and I was so thankful for the change of pace in the music. I wasn’t really sure I could handle any bumping and grinding at the moment. Not with the realization that Kane may actually be as attracted to me, as I was to him.
Kane held tight to my hand as he led us through all the bodies to the middle of the dance floor. We stood surrounded by people, but I was so focused on Kane that they began to blur from my vision, and then it was like they weren’t even there at all. When he took me in his arms and began to sway to the beat of the song, I cleared my mind and lost myself in the music.
I slowly ran my hands up his arms, feeling every indention from every muscle and I could feel them flexing under my touch. When I finally made it to the top of his arms, I wrapped my hands around the back of his neck and stared into those gray eyes I couldn’t get enough of. The song playing was an older Lenny Kravitz song, and when Kane began to whisper the lyrics in my ear, I knew I would never be able to listen to this song again and not think of Kane and this exact moment.
He released his hold on me long enough to reach up and tuck my hair behind my ear before slowing running his fingers through it and laying it over my shoulder, exposing my neckline. Leaning in, he placed his lips on my bare shoulder—first kissing, and then giving a little nibble. He continued lightly running his nose and lips along my shoulder to my neck. I felt my eyes drifting close and my knees beginning to weaken.
I wasn’t even sure if we were still dancing. I was too caught up in Kane and what his soft kisses and caresses were doing to my body. He made his way to my ear and pulled my lobe into his mouth, catching my diamond stud between his teeth before releasing it to nibble on the sensitive spot just below my ear.
I couldn’t stop the moan that escaped my lips when I felt his warm tongue touch my skin. My whole body was on fire. If his lips felt this good touching my neck, I could just imagine what they would feel like pressed against my own.
I slowly pulled back enough for him to look at me, and pled with my eyes for him to understand what I wanted... needed in this moment. His eyes were hooded leading me to believe he was feeling the same desire I was feeling. From the moment I had met Kane, he had sparked something in me that was undeniable. The attraction I had felt for him was no longer just attraction. I couldn’t deny the feelings that were laced within all the want I had burning inside for him.
“Kelsey,” he whispered, “I’m sorry I just did all that,” I’m not. “I want to kiss you so fucking bad right now. I have wanted to for so long, and I don’t think I will be able to tell myself no any longer. But if you say no, then I will somehow find the strength to not crush my mouth to yours and make you forget every problem you have ever had—make you forget even your own name.
Just say the word Kelsey and I will back off. But I can’t go another moment without letting you know that right now, all I can think about is how good your skin tastes, and it’s driving me crazy. I need to know how those lips taste, how soft they are, how they would feel moving against my own. Please, Kels…”
I couldn’t catch my breath, let alone pull enough air into my lungs to speak and tell him that I wanted nothing more than his lips on mine. All I could do was hope the look I was giving him was enough to convince him not to stop.