I cocked my head. “So you kept asking about me because you fancied me?” A small pulsate of hope blossomed in my chest.
“Not quite.” He smiled awkwardly. “At first I wanted to know the girl who fought so hard for her career. But when Joslyn started sharing funny stories about you and what a caring friend you were, I fell a little more each time you were mentioned.”
Fell? My heart kicked my ribs. Was it true that Liam, the unattainable pilot, was falling for me? My lips ached to kiss him again. To respond to his admission with a declaration I was falling for him, too. At least he had an excuse—he knew me. From friends and underhanded tactics, he grew to know me by passing comments. I had no excuse. I was teetering closer and closer to the edge of no return the more time I spent with him.
“Liam I—” I wanted to tell him how happy he made me. How much I wanted to learn about him. Find out the secrets he guarded in his blizzard-blown eyes.
But he pressed a finger against my lips to silence me. “I didn’t tell you to rush you into bed, or try and manipulate you. I wanted you to know the truth. Nina Poppins, I’ve liked you for almost a year, and it means a lot to me for you to grow to like me, too.” He swallowed. “I’m willing to wait for you. After watching you with Nikolai last night, I don’t know if you like him or not. I don’t want to come in the middle of something. But you have to know, I won’t back down without a fight.”
Laughter bubbled in my chest, but I swallowed it back. He thought I liked Nikolai? Sure, he was a nice guy and could dance, but that was all he was. A dancer.
Trying to make him understand, I said, “What you saw on the dance floor wasn’t real. When I dance the projection of lust and sex is shown through the steps and music. It’s what happens when people who are passionate dance together.” I pressed closer, creeping nervous fingertips along his exposed hip-bones. “Believe me when I say you’re not interrupting anything.”
He muttered something under his breath.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
His skin puckered with goose bumps under my touch and I was desperate to taste him again. To transform his worry into gooey-eyed happiness.
“I said it sure didn’t look like it was just a dance from where I was standing. Nikolai wants you.”
I snorted. “That’s the illusion of dancing. Watchers believe we’re madly in love with our partner. Sometimes, for a split moment, you believe it yourself.” My voice drifted as I recalled being in Nikolai’s arms. How strong he was. How confident. He’d jerked me against his hardness before flicking me out for a spin. Hang on—was there a bit too much hardness in his pants than strictly necessary for dancing? I brushed the thought away.
Liam stared deep into my eyes. “You do know he has the hots for you.”
I shook my head. “No, but if it’s true, then I won’t dance with him again.” A surge of confidence took over my motor control, and I swam against his chest.
His arms wrapped around my slippery skin to stop me from floating away.
“I’m only interested in one man on this island.” And I meant it. Completely.
Liam’s lips twitched as I pressed mine against his.
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Crashed into Love: Episode Two Page 8
