A Dance with Temptation
976 Words
Ava's POV
I bowed as the crowd cheered me on, my heart racing frantically in my chest.
I had done it.
Trembling hands, shaky breath, and an erratic heartbeat later, I had impressed a room full of the most elite in California.
My heart swelled as I saw my dad’s eyes beaming with pride when I raised my head.
My mum had a huge grin plastered on her face.
I scanned the crowd in for Emilia, but of course she was nowhere to be found.
Great. She missed my big performance.
Probably off with some guy in a corner.
As soon as I came down from the stage, my dad pulled me aside, introducing me to his friends and business associates.
It had been a while since they saw me. I attended a British boarding high school, and my first year in college was spent in the dorms, so I barely attended any social functions with my parents.
“Hi, Aunties.
Hi, Uncles.”
For the next few minutes I greeted each person, a polite smile plastered on my face even though all I wanted to do was disappear.
“Excuse me, Mr. Morgan,” a woman interrupted our brief meet-and-greet encounter saving me.
This gave me enough time to slip into the crowd.
I walked briskly to the door of the ballroom, relief washing over me when I finally rounded the corner that led to the back stairs toward my room, when I bumped into something hard.
“Owwwww.” I stumbled, hearing glass clatter to the floor.
I lifted my eyes to find grey eyes locked on me.
My eyes widened.
Who was this hot man?
“I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.” I bent down to pick up his cup.
Just as my hands touched it, warm calloused hands grazed mine.
“It’s okay.” He took my hands in his, his expression soft.
“I can always get another one.”
My pulse quickened.
His musky perfume wrapped around me, making me dizzy.
And his stare…God, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the world.
The intensity made my knees weak. Maybe it was because I hadn’t had a boyfriend in forever. Maybe I was just… starved for attention.
I swallowed hard and tore my gaze away from him, standing up.
He followed suit.
That was when I noticed I had soiled his shirt.
“Shouldn’t you offer to change what you ruined, Miss Ava?”
My stomach flipped
Mr hot stranger knew my name.
“Uhh, sorry,” I muttered. “I don’t know if—”
“Follow me.” I stopped myself before I could say anything more embarrassing.
I led him to the guest room, hoping we still had some spare clothes there.
I walked to the wardrobe. It was an easy pick, all the shirts were white so I turned to hand him one when I saw he was already shirtless.
My hands flew to my eyes, heat rushing to my ears.
“What is your problem? You could have waited for me to leave.” I tossed the shirt on the bed.
He looked… sexy.
His abs were toned, his body like that of a model’s.
His laughter filled the room, and I could feel him coming closer.
“What? You haven’t seen a guy naked before?” he teased, his breath fanning my ear.
I kept my eyes shut.
“I haven’t.”
“Oh please, I don’t buy it,” he said, disbelief evident in his tone.
“Doesn’t your boyfriend…”
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I cut him off sharply.
“Never?”
“Never.”
The silence that followed next was deafening
Had he gone?
Great, I had chased him away.
I opened my eyes slowly.
“I was wondering when you’d open them,” his voice murmured.
He was buttoning the shirt now, his gaze still fixed on me.
“Ava, you’re very pretty,” he murmured, stepping closer.
“This gown is gorgeous on you. And you play beautifully. I enjoyed your piece.”
He was in front of me now, the distance between us too close, I could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest.
My heart pounded so loud I thought it would explode.
“If the men in your life can’t see that,” he continued, his fingers tracing my face lightly, “that’s their loss.”
My body trembled under his touch.
I swallowed hard, feeling wetness trickle down.
I should have pushed him away.
I mean, who even lets a man they don’t know get this close?
My brain willed it, but my mouth wouldn’t cooperate.
A part of me… enjoyed this feeling.
Dear God, it had been so long.
The door burst open.
I shrieked and moved away from the perfect stranger.
“Miss Ava!” The maid gasped. “I’m so sorry.” She closed the door quickly.
“Your parents are looking for you in the ballroom.”
“I’m coming!” I darted to the door, taking one last glance at the man, noting the smirk on his face before I headed out.
I rushed to the bathroom, letting the water run as I splashed some on my face.
I must be insane.
Or maybe I’d had too much to drink. Either way, this couldn’t happen again.
Straightening my gown, I returned to the ballroom.
Mum and Dad were waiting.
My eyes widened as I approached them.
“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I want you to meet my boyfriend, Luke.” Emilia chirped.
I froze.
My gaze snapped from Emilia… to him.
The breath hitched in my throat.
Dad’s jaw tightened.
Mum’s smile grew wider.
And me?
I just stared at the man I’d been alone with minutes ago.
- Writer
