don’t know. So you know how to swing, but how about the waltz?”
Before she had time to respond, he swung her into a waltz across the length of the overlook, with the Seattle skyline their backdrop. Instead of the fairy godmother, Elise now felt as if she was Cinderella, wearing a beautiful ball gown and dancing with a handsome prince. But then their laughter faded and she gradually became aware of the feel of Ryan’s arms holding her close in the dance. The night was still, yet there was no need for accompaniment. They moved together as if hearing the same music.
Elise felt Ryan’s breath on her ear as they swayed slowly across the grass. “You said earlier that I dislike you. You’ve also said that I doubt your character and think the worst of you. You couldn’t be more wrong. The truth is: I like you far too much. And everything I find out about you only makes me care all the more.”
What was happening? Elise looked up into Ryan’s eyes, finding an expression that seemed almost brooding, mysterious, and full of . . . desire? At the eye contact, Ryan’s movements leading her though the dance slowed to a stop. Elise was close enough to smell the masculine, outdoorsy scent that surrounded him. She was cold everywhere except where his one hand touched her back and his other hand clasped hers.
Ryan pulled her to him, cradling her close in his arms. Like a magnet, Elise felt herself drawn to him. His warm hand reached up, caressing her cheek. “You’re so beautiful Elise,” he whispered. “Beautiful in every way.”
Her heart rate accelerated. Her breath became shallow. Her lips tingled in anticipation. He was going to kiss her.
Chapter 15
Elise stood on her tiptoes. It felt as if tiny shivers were coursing through her entire body. She felt his warm breath as he paused right before their lips met.
Britney.
In that instant before contact, the name whispered through her mind as if on a gentle breeze. Elise gently yet firmly pushed on Ryan’s chest and stepped back, their lips never having touched.
Ryan let her go.
Elise’s delicious shivers of anticipation now turned to great tremors of shock and disappointment. She felt as if something of infinite value had been stolen from her, leaving her bereft.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered brokenly. “I can’t.” She turned and walked away.
She wanted to explain. She needed to explain. But at that moment, she wasn’t sure if the choking sobs would win or the desire to return to the refuge of Ryan’s forbidden arms and try to reclaim what she had just refused. She needed distance.
She didn’t go far, simply walking the few yards back to the edge of the overlook. She took great breaths of the cool air trying to slow her racing heart and soothe her wayward emotions.
Seconds ticked by. Then she felt Ryan come up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her. She could feel his solid frame behind her, and despite her best intentions, she found herself leaning back into his embrace, letting him support and comfort her with his strength.
“Talk to me, Elise,” his lips whispered against her hair. “What’s wrong?”
“Britney,” she answered hoarsely. “I can’t have you for myself when my best friend is crazy about you! It would be like stealing you away from her.”
“It wouldn’t be stealing. I never belonged to her. I’ve probably not ever had longer than a five minute conversation with her.”
“I know you’d like her if you just got to know her better. Britney is a very nice person. I know she can come across as shallow, but there really isn’t a more loyal person in the world. And she’s a lot more outgoing and adventurous than I am. She’s always been the one to push me out of the box I like to hide in.” Elise’s voice lowered, her tone filled with anguish. “I can’t stand the thought of hurting her. I’m not the type to steal another girl’s guy.”
“I am not her guy!” Ryan
Before she had time to respond, he swung her into a waltz across the length of the overlook, with the Seattle skyline their backdrop. Instead of the fairy godmother, Elise now felt as if she was Cinderella, wearing a beautiful ball gown and dancing with a handsome prince. But then their laughter faded and she gradually became aware of the feel of Ryan’s arms holding her close in the dance. The night was still, yet there was no need for accompaniment. They moved together as if hearing the same music.
Elise felt Ryan’s breath on her ear as they swayed slowly across the grass. “You said earlier that I dislike you. You’ve also said that I doubt your character and think the worst of you. You couldn’t be more wrong. The truth is: I like you far too much. And everything I find out about you only makes me care all the more.”
What was happening? Elise looked up into Ryan’s eyes, finding an expression that seemed almost brooding, mysterious, and full of . . . desire? At the eye contact, Ryan’s movements leading her though the dance slowed to a stop. Elise was close enough to smell the masculine, outdoorsy scent that surrounded him. She was cold everywhere except where his one hand touched her back and his other hand clasped hers.
Ryan pulled her to him, cradling her close in his arms. Like a magnet, Elise felt herself drawn to him. His warm hand reached up, caressing her cheek. “You’re so beautiful Elise,” he whispered. “Beautiful in every way.”
Her heart rate accelerated. Her breath became shallow. Her lips tingled in anticipation. He was going to kiss her.
Chapter 15
Elise stood on her tiptoes. It felt as if tiny shivers were coursing through her entire body. She felt his warm breath as he paused right before their lips met.
Britney.
In that instant before contact, the name whispered through her mind as if on a gentle breeze. Elise gently yet firmly pushed on Ryan’s chest and stepped back, their lips never having touched.
Ryan let her go.
Elise’s delicious shivers of anticipation now turned to great tremors of shock and disappointment. She felt as if something of infinite value had been stolen from her, leaving her bereft.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered brokenly. “I can’t.” She turned and walked away.
She wanted to explain. She needed to explain. But at that moment, she wasn’t sure if the choking sobs would win or the desire to return to the refuge of Ryan’s forbidden arms and try to reclaim what she had just refused. She needed distance.
She didn’t go far, simply walking the few yards back to the edge of the overlook. She took great breaths of the cool air trying to slow her racing heart and soothe her wayward emotions.
Seconds ticked by. Then she felt Ryan come up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her. She could feel his solid frame behind her, and despite her best intentions, she found herself leaning back into his embrace, letting him support and comfort her with his strength.
“Talk to me, Elise,” his lips whispered against her hair. “What’s wrong?”
“Britney,” she answered hoarsely. “I can’t have you for myself when my best friend is crazy about you! It would be like stealing you away from her.”
“It wouldn’t be stealing. I never belonged to her. I’ve probably not ever had longer than a five minute conversation with her.”
“I know you’d like her if you just got to know her better. Britney is a very nice person. I know she can come across as shallow, but there really isn’t a more loyal person in the world. And she’s a lot more outgoing and adventurous than I am. She’s always been the one to push me out of the box I like to hide in.” Elise’s voice lowered, her tone filled with anguish. “I can’t stand the thought of hurting her. I’m not the type to steal another girl’s guy.”
“I am not her guy!” Ryan
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