Chapter 81

Compared to the previous dances, this one felt like my body knew exactly what to do, it really knew how to talk. It moves with absolute control and purposeful clarity as Gabriel takes me twisting and twirling around the ballroom. Candles twinkle, stars twinkle around us, he twirls me in delicate circles, my skirt billows outside. He was leading, but in a way I didn't even feel like I was leading. Our dance was beautiful and effortless. It's nothing like the dance we did on college night.Tonight, it feels good to be in his arms.The slow music is like a thread, rotating gently around us. I could hardly look at his face during the dance. Now that we've accepted each other, it's hard to stand so close without risking who we are.One look at him at such a close distance and I knew my body would surrender to him.I could feel his soft breath caressing my neck and the heat of his hands consuming me. I avoided his dark sea-colored eyes at all costs, choosing instead to focus on the night sky as