CHAPTER SEVEN

“What the hell, Sophia, are you okay?" Farah asks as she grabs my hand and we sit on the steps.

I take a deep breath and turn to her. She’s been my rock for as long as I can remember. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

“I don’t know what I’m doing, Farah. I met this guy today and he’s, God, so gorgeous. Like his eyes captivate me and when he was holding me just now, it felt so right, you know?"

She grins and squeezes my hand for reassurance, her reddish-brown hair tucked behind her ears, her knowing eyes seeing right through me.

"Then go with it, Sophia. Don’t start over thinking it!"

"He called me beautiful, Farah. I mean, I don’t even know his last name! Is this crazy?"

She shakes her head and looks into my eyes, forcing me to be honest.

“Do you like him?" She cocks her head to the side, pinning me with her gaze.

"Yes."

"Then stop thinking about it. I can tell he likes you." I grin at the thought and narrow my eyes at her.

"Really? How?"

Her eyes gleam with a smile as she throws her arm around my shoulder.

"He couldn’t keep his eyes off you. He asked us what your favorite band was so he could request it! Trust me, honey; he’s in this with you."

Farah gives me another hug before she goes back into the house and I sit on the steps for another minute, deciding to give this a chance, knowing that if I shy away from him, I’ll always wonder what could have been.

"Are you ready for that dance?" Gavin’s smooth voice says from behind me, causing my heart to race just from the sound of it.

"Yeah." I lift my head and he offers his hand to me, a boyish smile on his lips.

I giggle at the gesture, letting him help me up and my eyes lock onto his.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask with my hand still wrapped around his. He nods, not letting go of me as he steadies me with a hand placed on my hip.

Trying to organize my jumbled thoughts, I briefly look up at the sun that’s hiding behind a crescent- shaped cloud. When I look back into his eyes, I lay it all out there.

"Why do you like me? I mean, maybe I’m misreading this, but I...I like you. But why do you like

me?"

He gives me that sexy lopsided smile that makes my knees weak and cups my cheek with his hand as I step closer to him.

"I just want to get to know you, Sophia. You’re beautiful and kind and I saw the passion inside you through your dancing. It was amazing, as if you lived for each step, each movement, and each spin. Sophia...you take my breath away."

His eyes fill with some unnamed emotion that stirs something deep inside me.

I suck in a breath as my body is instantly drawn closer to his body.

"You saw me dancing?"

He nods, gliding his thumb over my cheek, leaving tingles everywhere he touches.

"Yes, I saw. You were incredible, Sophia. It was elegant, yet modern. Every move amazed me along with the audience. Then when I saw you in the parking lot, I had to talk to you. It was like fate or maybe sheer luck. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about you that draws me to you. I want more."

A delicious shiver runs up my spine at his words and when he places both hands on my face, tilting it up to meet his, I see his clear, blue eyes melding into mine.

"More?"

"Do you have a boyfriend, Sophia?" he whispers, caressing my cheek achingly slow.

I gasp, shaking my head and feeling how fast my heart is beating and the blood rushing through my veins. I feel alive and vibrant, as if my every breath lights my body anew.

"No."

He smiles and leans his forehead closer to mine. I can feel his breath upon my lips.

"I want to kiss you, Sophia," he says, his voice deep with lust and a desire that takes my breath away.

Yes, please.

"Gavin..." I whisper, my voice breathy in anticipation.

He leans back, meeting my gaze so that it’s impossible for me to look away. His blue-gray eyes capture mine and in this moment, I’m his.

"Yes or no, Sophia?" he whispers, urging me closer to him with a hand at the small of my back as his other cups my cheek so gently.

All I know is I want to be closer to him. I don't want to worry about whether this is the right thing after what I've gone through. I just want him closer now.

I nod my head, feeling his breath across my face as my chest presses against his.

He smells like mint and his touch feels like a dream as I wrap my hands around his neck, my fingers grasping onto soft, smooth strands of his unruly hair.

"Yes."

He smiles, one hand moving across my cheek to my neck where he tilts my head while his arm wraps around my waist, his eyes blazing with a desire that takes my breath away.

"Tell me if you want me to stop, beautiful."

I moan deep in my throat, the sound of that word from his lips slipping past the last of my defenses as his mouth softly closes over mine.

His heat engulfs my senses and I grab his hair, tangling my fingers in it.

I open my mouth to his. My leg comes up as if of its own volition and wraps around his waist while I gasp against his ardent, all consuming kiss.

I’ve never been kissed like this. Savagely yet gently all at the same time. I hear Gavin groan, sending tingles up my spine, while his arms wrap around my waist and one of his hands grasps the bottom of my short, satin dress.

With his lips eagerly pressing to mine, his tongue slips slowly into my mouth, licking, tasting, and exploring me as I do the same, moaning in desire when he nips at my bottom lip. It sends a jolt of aching desire from my lips to my core.

Wrapping both arms around his neck, pressing into him, I lock his mouth with mine and clutch onto his tee as passion runs through my veins. God, I can't get close enough.