Page 114 of Denial
His request renders me speechless.
Sutton is stony and confident and strong. He’s always struck me as the kind of man who doesn’t ask anyone for anything. He’s more of afigure it out myselfkind of guy, yet here he is asking me to teach him simple dance moves.
Not because he’s curious.
Because he wants to learn.
Because he knows it’s something I like to do.
No one has ever done this for me. Not an ex, hell, not even my friends. I always had to meet new people at The Saloon with Archie because I could never convince my own friends to join me.
I lick my lips. “I feel like there’s an ulterior motive here.”
Sutton straightens, giving me a panty-melting smirk. “Besides the fact I get to touch you and claim you in a room full of people? Nah, no motive. Except that I won’t be forced to watch you dance with another man, because I’ll be the one right beside you.”
The flutters in my stomach intensify, and I melt against the solid wall of his chest. My fingertips tap out a nervous rhythm.
“Stop making me feel things for you,” I murmur.
He tips my chin with his free hand. “You feel things for me?”
I shake my head, denying the obvious truth.
Sutton brushes a loose curl behind my ear. “I like you, Alice. Like you a lot. I want to see where this goes if you’re up for it.”
“I thought I drove you insane.”
“You unravel me,” he practically growls with his whole chest. “And for some reason I don’t understand, I like it.”
God, I like it too. I search his smoky-blue eyes, not knowing if I can trust it.
I force away the thoughts. “Okay, Sunny, let’s see what you’re capable of.”
The next song is “Flex.” I think it's perfect for him to get started on. The lyrics will guide him on exactly what to do.
I position myself at his side and feel dwarfed by him, the nearly foot height difference making itself known. I point down at my new cowboy boots. “Watch my feet.”
Sutton nods, his intense focus on the floor. He gets the first steps easily enough, but when it comes time to turn, he moves in the wrong direction and slams into me. His arms wrap securely around my torso, keeping me from crashing to the floor.
“Sorry,” he grunts, brows knitted together.
“It’s okay. Try again like this.” I demonstrate the move slowly. “You have to hop with it and then keep your heel planted and turn.”
Sutton keeps the beat by bobbing his head and gives it another go. We don’t smash into each other, but he stumbles over his own boots. His bashful grin nearly melts my heart. And then he bursts into laughter.
I swear the music stops as his deep, masculine laugh wraps around me like a warm blanket beside a bonfire. The rich sound settles somewhere deep inside. I stare at him, wondering exactly how I can get him to do it again.
“Am I disappointing you?” He stops and tucks my messy hair behind my ear.
“That’s the first time I heard you laugh.”
His nostrils flare.
“I’m anything but disappointed, Sutton.”
He picks up one hand and guides me into an intimate circle as we sway together. With a playful smile, he twirls me away from him before expertly catching me and dipping me low. My leg rises instinctively, and he skates his warm palm up my thigh, the other around my back, holding me steady. He kisses me softly before returning us vertical.
“I thought you couldn’t dance,” I tease.
