“Hey, who’re you laughing at?” he growled above the sound of the music. “I don’t see you doing any better.”
“Please,” she shouted over the pounding music. “It wouldn’t take much to better your performance.” She laughed out loud when he gave her a playful look of hurt and then he was laughing and she was laughing even harder at his antics.
When Rock had talked about working up a sweat he’d been right. They stayed on the dance floor for over an hour before they sauntered over to the bar for drinks. As she sipped her glass of wine, still rocking to the music, Dana stole glances at the man who stood by her side. Was this the same man she’d met months ago, the one who had seemed like a block of ice? She still could not believe it.
“Ready?”
At her nod, Rock took her glass and laid it on the counter then led her through the bundle of dancers to the middle of the floor. Time flew by that night because she was grooving to the beat of the Bieb’s ‘Beauty and a Beat’ when Rock surprised her by putting his hands on her shoulders. Pulling her close, he whispered in her ear. “Bedtime.”
Dana almost groaned. How could he, just when she was getting her dance groove back? But one look at Rock’s face told her it was non-negotiable. With a sigh she took his hand and he led her away.
Out in the hallway, with the sounds of the disco fading behind them, Dana reached out to touch Rock on the shoulder.
He stopped, turned and looked down at her.
“I just wanted to say thank you,” she said as she smiled up at his questioning face. “Today…and now tonight. I can’t remember when I’ve had so much fun.”
He smiled. “You don’t get out much, do you?”
Dana couldn’t hide her blush. How right he was. Since leaving college she’d been too busy with work and then with graduate studies to have much of a social life. At least, that was what she’d told herself. Her relative isolation had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she’d sworn off men after a bad experience with an ex co-worker. Nothing at all.
Luckily for her, Rock didn’t press her on the question. They continued on their way and, much too soon, they were standing at her door.
“Well, thanks again,” Dana said softly. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
“You will,” Rock said, then smiled. “No more migraines. Promise.” He glanced at his watch. “Not bad. I got you to bed before ten o’clock. What say we meet at seven thirty for breakfast? That will give us plenty of time for our ten o’clock meeting.”
Dana nodded. “That’s fine,” she said and then she stood there, staring up at Rock, not saying anything else.
When he gave her a puzzled look – probably wondering if she’d dropped a screw downstairs on the dance floor – she knew she had to say it. Come on, girl. Be brave for once. Spit it out.
She sucked in her breath then plunged in headfirst. “Rock, would you like to come in? For a drink…since it’s still fairly early.”
There. She’d done it. She’d gone and invited a man into her hotel suite, for Christ’s sake. Idiot. How could you do such a thing? Now what’s he going to think? Take it back, quick. Tell him you’re tired, you didn’t mean it. Tell him-
“I’d love to.”
Rock’s words brought her racing thoughts to a screeching halt. He’d said yes. He was coming in.
But…but in her state – still hot and bothered from all that dancing, heart still unsteady, hormones racing – would she be able to keep her hands off him? It would be sheer torture. She was such a glutton for punishment.
“Great. Come on in,” she said, pretending to be calm and composed as she opened the door and stepped in.
And as she walked into the suite ahead of him all she could think was, “Oh, Lord. I’m in big trouble.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Now that they were in the living room Dana was at a loss as to what to do next. Then she remembered. Drink. She’d invited Rock in for a drink.
“Uhm, have a seat,” she said, waving to the sofa. “Just make yourself comfortable.”
She turned away, not waiting to see if he’d sat or remained standing, and headed for the fridge then peered in. “I can offer you Sprite, Mountain Dew or apple juice,” she said over her shoulder. “Take your pick.”
“After all that dancing my adrenaline’s still pumping,” Rock said, sounding quite relaxed. He was probably lounging on the sofa. Dana didn’t turn around to find out. “Mountain Dew’s definitely out. I’ll have the apple juice.”
Dana poured the juice into a glass then poured some Sprite for herself. When she turned with glasses in hand and looked across the room Rock was watching her, his amber-colored eyes now darker in the shadows of the dimly lit room. She swallowed.
“Sorry I couldn’t offer you anything stronger,” she said, forcing a tone of brightness into her voice. She walked over to the couch and held the glass out to him.
“Right now,” he said softly, “juice is perfect.”
She didn’t know why, but the way he said the words sent tingles racing up her spine.
And then he reached up and took the glass from her. And their fingers touched. And it was like a jolt of electricity shot up her arm.
She almost let go of the glass. Luckily, he took it from her hand just in time.
Her body still in shock, Dana retreated to the armchair on the other side of the room. She had to put some distance between them. And she had to stay calm. Surreptitiously, she drew in a breath then let it out slowly. Okay, Dana. Get a hold of yourself. You’re the one who invited the man in, remember. Don’t go dumb now. Say something.
“So, that was some fun, huh?” Dumb, dumb, dumb. Do you call that conversation? Maybe it’s better if you just shut up. Dana drew in another breath, trying desperately to think of something to say, something that wouldn’t sound inane.
“Let’s dance.”
Dana blinked. “Excuse me?” She stared at Rock and saw that while she’d been lost in thought he’d already finished his juice and was leaning over to rest his glass on the coffee table. She, on the other hand, still had a full glass of Sprite.