A Slow-Burning Dance

by Ravenna Tate

  The relief on his face nearly brought tears to her eyes. “It’s just that you’re so damn beautiful and seductive. You dance like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

  You kiss like nothing I’ve ever felt. She forced a smile to her face. “You’re not so bad yourself, you know.”

  His smile helped calm her a bit, but only a little. Every nerve ending was on fire for this man. “I’ll take your word for it.” He stood, and her gaze went straight to his crotch where an impressive bulge tented the front of his pants. “Are you thirsty? Shall I get us some drinks?”

  She lifted her attention to his face. “Yes, please.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  Yes. For you. “After that meal? No, but thank you.”

  “I’ll be back in a moment.”

  Sela exhaled loudly and slumped back in her seat. What the hell was she going to do? There was no way she could go home tonight and sleep. She’d be up all night with erotic images dancing through her head. What would Santino say if he found out she was this close to fucking his boss?

  “What does it matter what he thinks?” she whispered. Santino was her brother, not her father, although he usually forgot that. The way he tried to shelter her and protect her was endearing most of the time, but downright annoying as hell during times like these. It was no use pretending he’d never find out if she and Damien had sex. He would. It was a given.

  She was a grown woman. She could fuck any man she chose to, and she didn’t owe her brother, or anyone else, an explanation. It had been so damn long since she’d held a man and kissed him. Sela was lonely. She filled her life with plans for her studio, and with her teaching, but what she really wanted was more of what Damien had given her a moment ago. Much more.

  She placed two fingers on her lips, tracing the outline. She could still feel his mouth crushing them, and she could still taste him. Tiny jolts of electricity ran up and down her arms as she closed her eyes and let the memories of that perfect, molten kiss wash over her. She imagined his mouth and tongue on her neck, her breasts, and her pussy, licking and probing until he drew the most perfect, complete surrender from her.

  As she pictured him undressing her, slowly, torturing her with deliberateness, her hand moved across her breasts and then down to her thighs. Her pussy was soaked. She didn’t need to reach under her dress to know that. She hadn’t been this turned on in a long time, and Damien was as much the cause of it as the music, the dancing, and the food earlier.

  Her eyes snapped open, but he wasn’t back yet. If the size of the crowd was any indication, it would be a while before he returned. She closed her eyes again and tried to picture Damien naked. His clothes couldn’t hide the muscles in his arms and torso, and she knew from what Santino had said that he worked out regularly. If the erection she’d glimpsed was an indication, his cock was more than adequate to satisfy her.

  Sela’s hand slipped under her skirt, and she rubbed her panties. They were, as she’d guessed, totally soaked. She really should have brought along another pair, but it hadn’t occurred to her that she’d become so aroused.

  How did Damien make love? Would he take his time, working her into a frenzy, or would he go at her like a man who hadn’t had sex in a couple of decades? Either way at this point would be fine with her. She liked it rough and tumble, but it was fun to slow down as well. Maybe they’d do both?

  She heard a noise behind her and jumped, pulling her hand free and whirling around in her seat. Damien stood there, holding a cardboard tray with large bottles of water and some kind of food in the center. She wasn’t really focused on the food or the water. All she saw was the humor and molten lust in his eyes. Fuck. Shit. He’d seen her. Madre de Dios. There was no way to explain this away.

  He gave her a long, searching look, and then finally took his seat next to her. He handed her a bottle of water, placed the cardboard carrier on the empty seat next to him, and picked up the food. It was wrapped in foil, and smelled like beef and cheese. “This looked really good sitting there under the heat lamps, but I might not be able to eat it all. Sometimes my head is bigger than my stomach.”

  Sela said nothing, keeping her gaze on the crowd streaming back into their seats below. She took the top off her water bottle and drank about half of it before stopping. Only then did she dare glance into Damien’s eyes again. “Thank you for the water.”

  “You’re welcome. I figured if you were even half as thirsty as I was, you needed the large one.”

  Was that a double entendre? His eyes twinkled with amusement. She had to say something, as otherwise this would hang over them for the rest of the evening, driving her crazy. He took another bite of his sandwich, and she swallowed hard, getting ready for whatever comeback he shot her way. “I guess I should have kept my eyes open.”

  He nearly choked on his food, and she felt really horrible for that. She should have waited until he’d swallowed it. When he recovered, he grinned. “I was enjoying it and wished I hadn’t made any noise so you would have kept going.”

  Sela opened her mouth, but nothing came out. So many witty comebacks flitted through her mind, but none of them seemed adequate. She merely stared into his dark eyes.

  “I’ve offended you.”

  “No. No, not even close. I’m at a loss for words right now. No one has ever caught me masturbating.”

  Damien placed his sandwich on the seat next to him and took her hands again. They were damp now, a combination of embarrassment and holding onto the water bottle for dear life. “I’d love to watch you go further.”

  “You mean now?”

  His laugh was sultry and deep, and her pussy contracted in tiny spasms at the sound of it. “No, but that is an intriguing idea. I was thinking later, back at my apartment.”

  There it was. One of them had finally put it out there as more than a mere suggestion. All she had to say was “yes” and she’d find out if her erotic daydreams were close to reality. She had no reason to say “no” other than crazy misplaced guilt over what Santino would think. She never said shit about the women he dated, so why should he have any say-so over her sex life?

  “If you’re worried about Santino’s reaction, please don’t. You’re a grown woman, and I don’t intend on using you for sex and then dumping you.”

  Now she knew he was a mind reader. “Thank you for saying so.”

  The band was back on stage. Damien gave her hands a squeeze. “Think about it. We’re not going anywhere for another hour.”

  He let go of her hands and turned his attention toward the stage. She watched his profile for a few seconds while the noise grew to a deafening roar once again. “What if I say ‘no’?”

  Damien cut his gaze toward her and smiled. “Then I’ll take you home, kiss you good night, and beg you to go out with me again.”

  He was on his feet, clapping and cheering with the crowd, so Sela did the same, smiling so wide her face hurt. This had just turned out to be the sexiest, most amazing night of her life, and it was far from over.

  Chapter Five

  Sela held onto Damien’s hand as they walked along the streets of SouthWest, lit by street lamps that had been designed to resemble those from the Victorian England period, only powered by electricity instead of gas.

  Santino had once remarked that he’d never understood why BrentCait Enterprises, the company who designed and built the cities beneath the continental USA, had decided that a city built underneath what used to be southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and part of Nevada should have street lamps that looked more like they belonged in a city underneath London.

  Damien knew Ace, whose father was the Brent half of BrentCait. Perhaps he knew the reason why? She asked him.

  “You know, I asked Ace that very same question once, and he told me his father had put the same streetlamps in all the cities. Apparently the reason was very simple. He liked the look of them.”

  “So they’re still in all the cities?”

  “Not anymore. Several of the ci
ty councils had the foresight to have them changed out as soon as practical after everyone had moved underground. In CentralWest, where Blaine Parker and Dominic live, there is so little light at night that hardly anyone goes out. No one here seems to care one way or the other, so these silly streetlamps stay.”

  “They’re very romantic, but they don’t go well with terra cotta tiles, cacti, and wrought iron. I would think something heavy and dark would look better.”

  He grinned down at her, sending more wetness to her pussy. “You mean like in fifteenth century castles? Were you thinking of a Spanish Inquisition look for the city, perhaps?”

  She slapped playfully at his arm. “No! Of course not. I meant something curved, made of wrought iron, with scrollwork.”

  “I know what you meant. I’m teasing you.”

  They were almost to her building when he stopped. Two streets to the left and she’d be home. About six blocks to the right, and they’d be at Damien’s building. Damien gave her a desperate look, and Sela’s heart did a few flip-flops.

  He brushed his hand along her hair in a feathery touch, sending shivers down her spine. “Have you made a decision?”

  She had made it hours ago. Why was it so difficult just to tell him? What was she afraid would happen? This was silly. She wanted this man, and he obviously wanted her. Sela gave him a quick kiss because she knew if she lingered on that mouth, they’d end up having sex right here on the street. “Yes, I have. I want to make love to you.”

  The bliss on his face took her breath away. When he kissed her, she forgot about the fact that the streets were still filled with people, and wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. He was considerably taller than she was, and she wasn’t short, so she was glad she’d worn heels. He was easier to reach.

  She parted her lips and moaned softly in the back of her throat as his tongue slipped inside. Fireworks exploded inside her head as he deepened the kiss, sending tiny jolts of electricity straight to her throbbing clit.

  He released it way too soon, holding her gaze with such an intense look she almost forgot to breathe. “Do you need anything from your apartment to spend the night?”

  Do I? Sela had no fucking clue. “No. I’m fine.” Screw it. Whatever she needed would have to wait for tomorrow.

  Six blocks had never felt like such an impossibly long walk. When they reached his building, she followed him inside and into an elevator near the back of the lobby. He used a card key to open it so she assumed it was private. As it sped toward the button he’d pushed, the tenth and top floor, he gazed down at her again with lust and an expression she swore was awe. How could any woman resist a man who looked at her like that?

  She still hadn’t torn her gaze away from his when the doors opened and he led her into a foyer that was decorated like a fifteenth century castle. Sela stopped and gawked. Then she laughed. “Now I understand why you were teasing me.”

  “I love the architecture of this period. It’s so dark and disturbing, but that’s what draws me to it.”

  “It’s stunning. Does the entire apartment look like this?” He led her through two dark, heavy wooden doors into a great room that nearly took Sela’s breath away. “I guess it does.”

  “Yes, it’s decorated like this throughout. Would you like a tour?”

  She stared at him, and it was obvious he was hoping she’d say “no”. “Maybe in the morning.”

  Damien grasped her face again and planted a kiss on her mouth that was so hot, she half expected the room to burst into flames. She dropped her bag on the floor where it clattered against the stone tiles, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders again. Then pushed her body against his until she could feel his rock hard cock through his jeans.

  His moans became louder, and she lost all sense of time and space as he deepened the kiss, sending her arousal to crazy heights. Sela was a woman on fire, and she didn’t want to wait any longer. She broke the kiss. “I’m on the pill, and I have no STDs.”

  “I have none either, but I use condoms on general principle.”

  “Then I hope you have one in your pocket.” Her pulse raced as she reached behind to unzip her dress. As she eased it off her shoulders, his jaw went slack when he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra. The dress had a built-in one. She held his gaze, goosebumps breaking out along her arms although the temperature inside the apartment was comfortable. She let the dress fall to the floor, and then she kicked off her heels and stood before him wearing nothing but a pair of silk, wet, dark red panties.

  “Usted es una belleza vale la pena luchar.”

  She moaned softly at the tone of his voice, seductive and full of conviction. “Thank you for calling me beautiful, but I won’t make you fight for me.”

  Damien touched her face. “I would if I had to, and you are beautiful.”

  “I think you’re gorgeous, too.”

  His skin on her face burned, and the look in his eyes grew deep and smoldering. He pulled her into a tight embrace and nuzzled her neck, forcing loud cries of pleasure from her. The anticipation was killing her. He planted tiny kisses along her jawline, sending her into a frenzy. She wanted him inside her now.

  “The condoms are upstairs.”

  “I wasn’t kidding about being on the pill.”

  More kisses, this time on her shoulders and upper arms. “Then are you all right if we don’t use one?”

  “Damien, if I don’t have you inside me right now, I’m going to lose my damn mind.”

  His soft chuckle sent shivers down her spine. “I like to take my time, niña.”

  “Oh…” She was toast. He was going to torture her with foreplay. His tongue trailed down her neck to the valley between her breasts. When he took them into his strong hands, Sela moaned softly. He teased her nipples into taut points with his thumbs and forefingers, and all she wanted to do was melt into his body and never leave.

  Damien bent his head and sucked one nipple then the other, while Sela dug her fingers into his hair. “Oh please…”

  “Please what? What do you want from me, Sela?”

  He said her name like he was reciting a prayer. Had his voice always been this smoky? Why had she never noticed before? Because you haven’t seen him or heard him speak in six years, that’s why. She pushed away those thoughts. He was here now, and he’d asked her a question that needed to be answered. “I want you to fuck me.”

  He dropped to his knees in front of her and grasped the hem of her panties. “I will.” He pulled them down, so damn slowly that she moaned again. “I promise.” When they were at her knees, he trailed his tongue up and down her thighs. “You have such strong legs. They’re so sexy.”

  Sela couldn’t speak any longer. She merely watched him pull her panties down to her ankles, and then lift each foot to remove them. Her body shivered, and she didn’t think she could take one more second of this.

  “Step apart.”

  She did as he asked, and then cried out again as his tongue flicked her pussy lips. “You’re so wet for me, Sela.”

  “I have been for hours.”

  He glanced up at her and grinned. “I know. I could smell it on you. You were wet earlier, when you touched yourself, weren’t you?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “There is nothing more seductive than a woman who wants to fuck.”

  She giggled because the emotion bubbling up inside her was overwhelming. She’d never been teased like this, or made to wait so long. It was both seductive and maddening, but now she didn’t want him to stop. His words and gestures made her feel like the most enticing woman on the planet, and no one had never made her feel that way before.

  Damien slipped a long finger into her pussy, and Sela let out a slow, soft moan. When he flicked her clit with his tongue, she swore under her breath and planted her feet for better balance. The tiles were cool against the soles of her feet, for which she was grateful. She was so close to coming it was ridiculous. She had been for a couple of hours now, and if he kept
this up, the orgasm would easily happen.

  “You taste incredible.” He moved his finger in and out while he licked her clit. “How close are you, niña?”

  “Oh, God … close. So close.”

  Damien increased the pressure of his tongue, and pushed two fingers inside her. Sela moaned loudly and held onto his head. She closed her eyes and threw back her head, letting it happen. “Oh … oh, fuck!” The climax crashed over her and went on and on. She was barely aware of it when he stood and cupped her face.

  She opened her eyes and gazed into his, so warm and full of lust. Damien kissed her, tongue and all, and Sela could hardly stand now. She tasted her own pussy juices, which she found incredibly sexy, and then he released her mouth and picked her up as if she weighed nothing.

  He carried her across the room, not to his bedroom like she’d thought he would. When he placed her on her feet she was behind a sofa, facing it. Damien unzipped his pants. “Now it’s my turn to become impatient. Lean over, beautiful, and hang on. I’m going to fuck you hard.”

  Sela nearly came again at his words. She did as he asked, and then he slid his thick, swollen cock into her pussy. She clutched the back of the sofa while he fucked her slowly at first, torturing her by pulling out completely before diving back in, until she was out of her mind with need.

  “Sela … Dios mío … you feel incredible.”

  “Damien … please don’t stop.”

  He kissed her back. “Not until you beg me to, niña.”

  His thrusting increased, and another orgasm was on its way. Sela moaned loudly and tried to keep breathing as her arousal grew once more. When Damien reached around and grasped her breasts from behind, she closed her eyes and just gave over to the sensations. This strong, sexy man made love unlike anything she’d ever experienced, and she never wanted it to end.

  Sweat pooled at her hairline, between her breasts, and under the point where her abdomen rested on the back of the sofa. His breath was warm on her back, and she shivered at his soft, sexy moans. When her climax started, she cried out and so did Damien. A few quick, jerky thrusts later and she felt him spasm as her own orgasm crested.