The Hookup Handbook(29)
We do a little across-the-floor work, and I get lost in the details of the girls’ form, showing them how to hold their hands just right when landing their pirouettes. Once again, we end class with our pop-music/ballet combination, adding another eight beats onto what we learned in the last class. The hour slips away from us, just how I expected it would. Class number two is in the books.
Shit. I had planned to go home and freshen up before heading back to Case’s tonight, but that was back when we said eight o’clock. If he’s really expecting me at seven thirty, I don’t have the time for a pit stop.
Let’s hope Case digs the leotard and ballerina bun.
I slip my skirt on over my leotard and swap out my ballet slippers for heels. Not exactly a supermodel look, but it’ll do for now. If things go as planned, I won’t have them on for long anyway. I close down the studio and shoot Helen a text to let her know that everything went smoothly.
? ? ?
When I arrive at Case’s, I’m suddenly nervous that Ryder will catch me here. My brain scrambles with an excuse. I could just say I needed to work overtime on the book. He would buy that, right? He has no reason to suspect anything.
I swallow a wave of nerves and climb the steps to the front door. It feels a bit too corporate to use the code, so I opt for the doorbell instead. My heart rate climbs in time to the sound of Case’s footsteps across the hardwood as he approaches the door.
I’m not sure if I was right about him hitting the gym while I was gone, but the clean soap scent tells me I was right about the shower. He’s traded out one button-up for another, and suddenly I feel miserably underdressed in my leotard and tights. My gaze flits over the zipper of his dark-wash jeans as I step through the door, looking to see if he’s as excited to see me again as I am to see him.
“You could’ve just let yourself in, you know,” he says as I slip out of my heels, leaving them by the front door.
“I know. But that’s what I do when I come here for work. And I didn’t come here for work.”
“Yeah, you’re not exactly dressed for a day in the office.” His voice is low and gravelly, and his eyes make a torturously slow perusal down my body.
I blush, averting my gaze to look down at my tights. “Yeah, I didn’t have time to change after ballet.”
With a half smile, he pulls me toward him by the small of my back and brings his fingertips to my chin, lifting my mouth to his. But he doesn’t kiss me, not yet. “Does it feel like I’m upset about it?”
His firm body meets mine, and I can feel he’s rock-hard and still growing beneath my touch. Electricity dances down my spine. I need every inch of what’s waiting for me under these jeans.
“Sh-should we go upstairs?” I sputter, fully knowing I’m really begging more than asking.
Case rocks his hips, pushing his erection against my belly as a hum passes through his lips. “If that’s what you want.”
“Is it what you want?” I whisper.
“I want you so damn much, Sienna.”
His deep voice spirals through me, leaving heat in its wake.
We take the stairs two at a time, racing each other to Case’s bedroom. This is nothing like the last time I was up here. No soup or acetaminophen this time, and no trying to determine if being on my boss’s bed is crossing a line or not. There’s not a doubt in my mind that we’re crossing a line.
Once the door clicks shut behind us, our mouths come crashing into each other the way I’ve been imagining they would all day long. Case’s hands find a firm grip on my ass as he kisses me again and again—not softly like he did the other night, but hungrily, like he can’t possibly taste all of me in one evening, but he’s damn well going to try.
My hand finds its rightful place on Case’s zipper, palming the shape of his stiffness through the denim as he grows to his full length. Fuck. He’s huge.
I shouldn’t be as surprised as I am. There’s a good reason this dick goes for top dollar. Before I can unbutton his pants and release him from behind his zipper, his hand finds mine and squeezes tight, hitting the PAUSE button on the evening.
“If you change your mind about this, just let me know, okay? We can stop at any time.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t chicken out on me now.”
Case’s serious look morphs into a cocky grin. “Not a chance in hell, sweetheart. I just want to be sure you know this is a one-time deal. We’re not having repeat offenses this summer, understood?”
“If that’s what you want, okay.”
“It’s not about what I want.” His tone is suddenly defensive as he corrects me. “It’s about being smart. I don’t want any broken hearts or hurt feelings here.”
I have to hold back a laugh. He really thinks highly of himself, doesn’t he? “I wouldn’t worry about that.”
“All right, then. So you’re totally sure?” He’s gotten a yellow light from me, but he wants a green one. And I’ll happily give it to him.
“As certain as a deadline, Mr. Smith.”
And all at once, Case steps on the gas. He lifts me by my waist like I’m as light as air, propping me up on the edge of his bed. My skirt slides off easily, and as he peels the straps of my leotard down my shoulders, I tilt my hips, letting him pull the fabric down over my ass, guiding it to my ankles as he drops to his knees.