Crashed into Love: Boxed Set by Seline White Read Free Book Online

myself from the man holding me, dancing with me, but my self-control
snapped, and I let go.
    The music crashed over us, carrying me away with its
tempo. I let myself run burning fingertips over Nikolai’s skin: his arms,
collarbone, hips; to breathe in deep when he brought me crashing back from a
spiral. And I felt no shame as I ran my hands through his sweaty hair as he
twirled me out and in, pressing his head against my neck as we dropped to the
floor together, my thighs burning as we crouched, all the while keeping up the
beat.
    By the time multiple songs travelled through our
limbs, I was parched for water. I patted my throat as signal to have a break,
and we threaded through the crowd. I was hyperaware that Nikolai never let go
of my hand.
    I chugged down some icy-cold water in a very
unladylike fashion and scrunched my face as an ice-cream headache slammed into
me. Ouch.
    “You’re an excellent dancer,” Nikolai murmured in my
ear; his breath was hot and every part of me clenched. His husky whisper
dredged up feelings inside I wished would remain buried.
    “Where did you learn?” The timbre of his voice
continued to do wonderful but scary things to my stomach.
    I rubbed my mouth, dispelling a lone water droplet.
“It doesn’t matter. You wouldn’t know the club.” And he certainly didn’t need to
know I learned from my ex who chose me from a bunch of beginners to become his
dance partner in competitions. We won. A lot. But no matter how much I tried, I
could never keep the fire in his eyes when we stepped off the dance floor. I
should’ve realised sooner that he wasn’t interested.
    He used me.
    That was the day I stopped trying to please others
and decided to please myself.
    Enrolling into aeronautical school and taking my
first accompanied flight in a Tomahawk aircraft had been my way of flipping off
my ex. It had been the most exhilarating moment of my life and one that
cemented my career forever. I wanted to be a pilot. I wanted it more than
anything. Even dancing, which was saying a lot.
    Once our breathing steadied, Nikolai held out his
hand. “More?”
    I waged a battle inside. If I danced with him
longer, he might think there was more between us. That was the frustrating and
delicious thing: there was something more between us. But damned if I’d
give in to the blood-pulsing lust conjured from rubbing against each other all
night. It wasn’t logical—it wasn’t going to go beyond the dance floor.
    I shook my head. “I can’t. I have work tomorrow. My
shift starts early.”
    He sighed heavily, but didn’t push it. “No problem.
Another time.” His eyes clouded, and I caught myself wanting to say ‘what the
hell—let’s dance for years’ just to dispel his disappointment.
    Ignoring the pang of regret, I inconspicuously tugged
the clammy post-it from my bra, and reclaimed my bag from the barman.
    I smiled at Nikolai. “Thanks for a great night. I
had fun.”
    Nikolai ran hands through his damp hair. “Me too.
Sucks it has to end so soon, though.” Tilting his head he gestured for me to go
ahead of him. “I’ll walk you out—if you’re sure you have to go?”
    I paused. How easy it would be to throw my bag
behind the bar and grab his hand. To melt into his hard embrace and allow the
rhythm to sweep us to somewhere erotic and heated. It was my turn to sigh
heavily. “Yes, I’m sure.”
    It took longer than I expected to dodge our way
toward the exit, and the sweet caress of cool air and quietness was a relief
after the loud club. My ears rang slightly from the deafening music.
    Shoving his hands into his black jean pockets,
Nikolai started, “So—” Confidence deserted him and his eyes focused anywhere
but me.
    Ah, wasn’t that sweet—he was nervous. He acted as if
this was a date and it was time to get the first kiss out of the way. Silly
man. I wouldn’t have objected to a kiss, but it was best if we both ended on a
platonic note.
    I stuck my hand out. “It’s been a