Just a dance

He puts the newspaper down. The setting sun shone through the window above the door, casting him in a warm glow, leaving his absurd beauty almost immaculate. It hurt to watch.

He looks at me, his eyes darkening as the silence stretches on, the tension shining between us. Then I pick up my plate and sit down next to him.

- I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I ordered a bit of everything. - He smiled, bringing lightness with him.

- Thank you, Mr. Colle, but you didn't have to wait for me for coffee," he said kindly.

- Actually, I did. I wanted to know how you were after I left you in my room. When I came back, you weren't there. - He sipped his coffee, put the cup down. He gives me a serious look, and I turn to my breakfast, my face flushed.

I don't even notice when he drags himself out of his seat to come closer to me. As he approaches, I straighten my shoulders and try to hide the shiver that runs up my spine. I let out a little moan when his thumb strokes my chin, the touch at odds with his somewhat hostile posture.

- Err... I... well, thank you, thank you for taking care of me.

Lines of stress in the corners of his blue eyes and the creases of unease that painted his forehead showed that he was very worried about me. - There's nothing to be thankful for. I got home early from my meeting yesterday and was on my way to my room when I found you sleeping uncomfortably in the library. I was having a nightmare... I think... I was talking...

Fuck.

If a crater opened up in there and swallowed me up, I wouldn't care.

- I had a complicated childhood. - I don't know why I say that, but it just comes out naturally.

He pulls his lips away from the coffee he was drinking again and raises his soft eyes to look at me, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.

But I wouldn't give him any more than that. Somehow he understands, because he changes the subject.

- Good. I think you know that tomorrow is my Annual Ball. It's nothing big. I know you've already checked the list of people hired.

I nodded.

- Well, you're not on the team.

He must have read something in my expression, because he adds.

- tomorrow I don't want you as my employee. I want you as a guest.

What?

- Look, Mr. Colleri, I appreciate it, but I'd really rather work tomorrow.

- I'll insist that you come as a guest. - He asks nicely, but something tells me that this is nothing more than an order. - Extra staff have been hired for the event. And I'd like you to have a dance with me tomorrow.

What? I nearly choked on my orange juice.

- What? - I said as I put the glass down.

- A dance, Nicole," he said, smiling.

- E... I don't know... - my voice broke.

- You don't know how to dance? Or you don't know whether to dance with me?

- Both. - My eyes wandered over his lips, still moist from the coffee. - Then I lowered my head to hide the red that was creeping up my cheeks, because with those lips and the naturally sinful way he was looking at me, I was wishing for things I definitely shouldn't have.

- I gave you the opportunity not to work. - He says suggestively, reminding me of our last conversation in his office.

- Yes, I really prefer to work...

- And if you work for me, that means you do what I say. - Cut me. - And if I want you at the ball tomorrow, you'll be at the ball. - His face turned grim, his expression unreadable, until he gave a small smile and stepped back a little.

Not knowing what to do with the knowledge that I had a dance to go to tomorrow, I decided to go and do my business.

- Well, if you don't mind, I'm going upstairs. I have some errands upstairs.

- Yes, of course. I also need to sort out some things at the office. If you don't mind, I'd like to accompany you.

We went up together. I felt a bit out of place. Colleri didn't seem like a bad person and he definitely didn't scare me. However, he was an enigma who clearly liked to give orders and clearly didn't accept his wishes not being carried out. I wondered if this was because of everything he'd been through. The fact that he had been kidnapped and mistreated. Perhaps it had shown him what it was like not to be in control, which is why he always wanted to be able to command everything around him.

On the way, I didn't know whether to make conversation, but I didn't want to seem rude either. He passed a little in front of me, giving me a great view of his ass. He was dressed casually, in jeans, a polo shirt and bare feet.

I took a few steps to reach him. He turned towards me.

- Well, I think I'll leave it at that.

I gave him a smile in response.

- You have a beautiful smile. - He smiled mischievously at me. I blushed instantly. - You're more beautiful when you're embarrassed.

Oh, no. Don't make it difficult.

- I appreciate the compliment, Mr. Colleri," I said at once, intending to cut to the chase. - Thank you again for everything, for yesterday. - I sniffled. - I sometimes have nightmares. Now that I'm an adult, it's not as recurrent as it used to be, but in a way, uh... I felt some relief yesterday, thank you.

He looked at me as if I were a child after winning his favorite candy. There was desire, affection, care, an enigmatic combination in his gaze.

- You don't have to thank me. - He said subtly. - A woman like you should feel protected every day.

My blush, which had barely subsided, returns and my breath catches when his blue eyes meet mine. Not just blue, there are thousands of shades of blue, but above all a warm tone that warms everything in me. He sees this somehow, and instinctively takes firm steps towards me. I step back, until I feel my back hit the wall of the corridor. His arms hit the wall behind me, above my head, trapping me there. I make the mistake of looking up and seeing something I've never seen before in my life. Raw, carnal lust. So hot that it feels like it's going to set everything around us on fire. It's like nothing I've ever felt or seen before. It's so palpable that I almost moan looking at him.

- You need to stop doing that," I said in a low tone. Colleri traced my jawline with his finger. I closed my eyes in anticipation, I could have sworn he was going to kiss me. He brought his lips close to my ear, his breath tickling my neck. - Tell me you'll fucking dance with me tomorrow," he whispered. - It's just a dance, that's all.