“I love that dress on you. Wear it tonight,” Landon requests, now standing in front of me. I blink rapidly, my train of thought fleeing. The dark scruff on his cheeks is thicker than before, like he forgot to shave. My fingers twitch with the urge to run them over his jaw.
“Now, do you have any experience with dancing?” Landon reaches out, brushing a stray hair behind my ear. I swallow hard. Looks like we’re the caring Landon today.
“No,” I respond, shaking my head.
“Take your shoes off.” Landon juts his chin toward my feet.
I look down at my heels, a little confused, and back up at him, finding him walking toward a stereo built into the wall.
“Take them off,” Landon repeats, his tone serious. He’s not even looking at me; he just knows I’m not listening. I roll my eyes and do as he says, kicking them off as Landon messes with a stereo.
I pad along the floor as I make my way to the middle of the ballroom. He pulls his suit jacket off and tosses it on the floor, leaving him in just his dress shirt, which he’s rolling up the cuffs on.
“I’ll teach you the basic box step. You can use it pretty much anywhere.” I just nod, because I have no idea what he is talking about. The speakers crack, and Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros sing “Mondo Bongo”.
Landon lowers his head, his eyes peering up under his lashes, and holds his arm out crooking his finger for me to come to him.
“Come here, Charlie,” he demands, his voice husky. My eyes go heavy with desire, and my feet move on their own accord, walking toward him.
“Step forward on your left foot.” Landon steps forward, and I follow. “Then step to the side with your right foot.” I watch him and imitate his move. “Now, bring your feet together,” Landon instructs. “Good, now step back on your right, and then to the side using your left foot.” I do as I’m told and look at Landon for confirmation that I did it correctly. “Just like that. Now, bring your feet together and repeat the steps. You just did a box step.” Landon smirks, doing the dance all in one move. I smile and practice the steps.
“Who taught you how to dance?” I ask. Landon’s eyes furrow, and his cheeks clench with tension.
“My mother,” he mutters. By the look on his face, I can tell something bad happened to her, so I don’t question where she is.
“Now, place your arm on my shoulder and cup my hand,” Landon coaches, grabbing me by the hips and bringing me to him. My palm tingles, being held by his so strongly, my cheeks heating from just the simple touch. “This time, try the box step using your tiptoes and let me lead,” Landon tells me, taking the leading step.
“My tiptoes?” I look down at my feet.
“Yes, it will prepare you for actually dancing in high heels.” Landon chuckles.
“Oh.” I giggle and my cheeks flush.
“Look at me. Keep your chin up,” Landon requests. I take my gaze from his shoes to his eyes, and my heart skips a beat. The way his eyes shine and look right through me captivates me. Lost in our own world, not daring to look away, I wonder what it would be like if Landon and I met at a different time. If things would be easier for us, or more difficult. If he could fully love me, and I him.
“What about you? Where is your mom?” Landon asks, dancing me along the ballroom floor. I nearly trip over my feet at his question, causing me to look down.
“Eyes up.” I lift my eyes and exhale a large breath.
“I’m not sure where my mother is,” I answer honestly. Landon slows his lead, causing us to stop dancing. He slides his hand behind my head and pulls gently on my hair, making me look upward.
“You really don’t have anybody, do you?” he mumbles, little wrinkles etching his handsome face. I slide my tongue over my bottom lip, the feel of his hand in my hair clouding the reminder of my abandonment.
Landon sighs, his teeth worrying his bottom lip as he looks at me with longing. That scar right above his lip stands out along his tanned skin. In one swift motion, he slams his lips onto mine, his hand tangling itself deeper into my hair.
His tongue caresses my bottom lip before sweeping between them. My senses are lost, and the music is drawn out. I reach one hand behind his neck, the other caressing the scruff on his cheeks. The whiskers rubbing along the pads of my fingers feel divine. I want Landon like this every day.
He slowly pulls his lips away, allowing me to catch my breath as he trails his nose down my jawline. His hands slide from my hair down my chest, greedily grabbing my clothed breasts before continuing their journey to my hips.
“If you were mine, you would never feel alone again, Charlie,” he whispers against the skin of my neck, giving it a slight nip. His fingers bunch the material of my dress in his palm, hiking it up my thighs. He grabs behind my knees and lifts one leg, wrapping it around his waist and leaving my bare hip exposed. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows heavily, looking between our bodies.