With a confidence I’ve only read about, he spins me out and then pulls me back to his body in a smooth motion before bringing our joined hands up and holding them to his chest.
Even this dance is different.
So different that I completely lose track of time and one dance turns into four. By the time the music breaks, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much and my body is somehow tense and relaxed all at the same time.
“You’re a great dancer,” Vali says, leaning down and placing his lips by my ear. I tell myself it’s just so I’ll be able to hear him over the crowd, but when he lingers, I’m not so sure. And he’s still holding my hand close to his chest with his other hand wrapped around my hip and I never want to leave this spot.
Maybe Genie would let me rent it out?
I open my mouth to respond, to tell him he’s a great dancer too—best partner I’ve ever had—but my phone rings and jolts me out of the moment.
“What time is it?” I ask, my eyes growing wide as I pull away from Vali and dig into my purse. Because, of course, I’m still wearing my purse. I obviously forgot while Vali was sweeping me off my feet.
He chuckles. “Are you Cinderella?”
Popping my head up at him, I frown in confusion, feeling my heart rate spike as I silence the call. It’s my mother and I’d rather not speak to her in the middle of Genie’s with Vali looking at me with those bedroom eyes and smiling at me with those wicked lips.
“What?”
“Cinderella,” he repeats, running a hand through his luscious hair. “You know, she has to leave the ball at midnight before her carriage turns back into a pumpkin… and the glass slipper… and the footmen that are mice. That was always my favorite part.”
I let out something resembling a chuckle. “I’m definitely not Cinderella.” But I do have to go. I promised my mother I’d be home twenty minutes ago. “Thank you for the dance… or dances, rather. I had a really great time.”
I’d love to do it again.
I’d love to do so many things with you, I think as my eyes go to his lips and he leans in toward me. Is he going to kiss me? Does he want to?
Before I can find out, my nerves get the better of me and I turn and walk swiftly toward the exit, waving over my shoulder and calling out, “Thanks again.”
Chapter 9
Vali
I’m being tortured.
I’ve never been much of an angel, to be sure, but I didn’t think I deserved to suffer like this, with blue balls the size of Texas.
That Maggie O’Neal is a fucking vixen.
I was completely lost in her as we danced last night. Her soft curves, sweet smell, and gorgeous smile captivated me in a way I’ve never experienced, and I was stunned when she hauled ass out of Genie’s like the floor was on fire. That didn’t stop my body from reacting to her, though.
Later, when I crawled into bed lonely and buzzed, I tried to ignore my throbbing dick but, eventually, I had to rub one out, fantasizing about Maggie the entire time. Apparently, my dreams were about Maggie too because I just woke up with another raging hard-on.
The effect that woman has on my body makes me feel like a damn teenager again.
Maybe I just need to get laid.
I told myself I wasn’t going to hook up while in Green Valley but I can’t be jacking off all the time either. I suppose I should feel relieved I can still get it up after ending things with Chloe. That whole situation really messed me up and I’m not sure I’m mentally ready for any kind of intimacy, even though my body has other ideas. All of this is just another reminder of why I need to get Maggie out of my mind. She certainly doesn’t need or deserve to put up with my bullshit, especially if I’m not planning on sticking around. She’s too sweet to string along.
From now on, it’s strictly professional between us.
I can’t wait to see how long it takes me to break that vow.
Gunnar and Cage agreed, as we said our good nights last night, to sleep in this morning and pick up training after lunch, so I decided to spend my morning getting a little pampering. Self-care is important, which is why, after showering and fixing my coffee to go, I find myself standing in front of The Beauty Mark.
The Beauty Mark is Green Valley’s one and only salon, and at nine thirty on a Saturday morning, it’s already bustling with customers.
When the large bell hanging on the front door announces my entrance into the salon, everything stops. There’s no talking or hair cutting. In fact, only the large hairdryer in the back seems to be making any kind of sound. Even the young woman at the front desk has stopped talking to whomever she’s on the phone with as she blatantly stares at me.
Everyone is staring.
I’ll be honest, I’m used to turning heads but this is a bit unsettling.
Maybe they don’t let guys in here?
After an awkward minute of not knowing what to do, I take a step back, assuming I should just leave. The barber in town can’t be bad, can it? I mean, I see a lot of long beards around here but that doesn’t mean the men of Green Valley don’t care about their appearance. I guess if I really feel the need for some big-city pampering, I could always drive to Maryville.
“Oh, don’t go!” the woman closest to the door calls out. She lays down her scissors before walking over to me with her hand reaching out for me. “Hi, I’m Missy, please come in. And, please forgive all of us for being so rude. It’s not every day someone like yourself… you know, a… um, man… comes into the salon.”
“Especially one so cute!” Missy lets out a gasp while turning her head toward the older lady she left in her chair before greeting me. “Miss Faye, you better behave yourself.” I don’t think Miss Faye cares about the admonishment, though, because she simply shrugs before winking at me.
Thankfully, this causes the rest of the workers and clients to resume what they were doing before I walked in, taking their attention away from me.
“I’m Vali, and no worries,” I assure Missy. “I wasn’t sure if I needed an appointment or not, so I thought I’d stop by. I didn’t realize you’d be so busy this early in the day.”
“Oh, yes, Saturday mornings are our busiest times. We have a lot of regulars who come in for their weekly wash and sets.” She says this like I should know what she means. I don’t but I try to smile like I do.
“Well, I can make an appointment for another time. It’s no problem.” I’m disappointed I won’t be getting any services today but I really should’ve known better. It’s not like I’d ever be able to waltz into a salon in Dallas and expect same-day service. Something about Green Valley not only relaxes me but also my expectations.
“No!” Missy, and what seems like everyone else in the shop, yells, causing my body to freeze in surprise.
Missy laughs nervously. “I’m sure we can fit you in. What were you wanting to get done?”
“I’d love a trim and a deep-conditioning treatment, if you have time. You don’t, by any chance, do facials, do you?” If I’m here and she’s gonna fit me in, I might as well get the works.
“We can do all those things, no problem!”