A Man Who Can Dance

We spend the last ten minutes of the cocktail hour talking to the Gaffans before everyone is asked to take their seats. Cass leads me to our seats with his hand on my lower back and the sensation it stirs in my lower belly makes me have to concentrate on walking so I don't fall and completely embarrass myself.

We sit and he leans in whispering, "I don't know how you did that, but you just worked a miracle. Now I owe you twice. For the second one, think big because that was a big favour."

I just shrug and say, "I'm not going to come up with anything. I don't feel like you owe me."

He looks at me, slightly put out, then says, "I'll figure out something you want. Believe me, I'm not letting this go."

I just shrug, figuring he'll be too busy to remember. A delicious tomato soup is put in front of me and I'm completely distracted from everything around me. I'm starving and need to focus on eating like a lady. My dress is dark at least so if I spill nothing will show.

There's entertainment throughout dinner that blows my mind away. I don't know how Cass can look on in complete disinterest.

"Those girls on the silks are amazing!" I say to him after a particularly talented performance.

He shrugs and says, "Sure."

His answer drives me a little crazy and I say, "How can you not be more impressed. The amount of practice that takes is amazing. I would be terrified of even trying it with mates below me and they did it over a hard wood floor!"

"They're getting paid," he insists, confused by my outrage.

"Yes, but they probably don't get paid much, if you calculate all the hours spent practicing for the show. They're also risking serious injuries that I'm sure their pay would come nowhere near covering," I point out.

"Then they shouldn't do it," he says obviously.

"But then we wouldn't be amazed!" I say, still outraged.

"I'm not amazed."

"Well I am, so it was worth it!" I say, almost pouting. I'm mortified the second I realize how petulant I'm being and I immediately relax my position.

"Wow, I went a little overboard. I hope you like the next act better," I say, awkwardly looking at my dinner plate.

He leans into my ear and whispers, "Relax, you like silk. Noted."

I'm glad I'm already staring at my plate. I'm sure he meant to alleviate the tension but he just knocked it up ten points. My lower belly stirs again and I feel my thighs press together ever the slightest without my say so. There's a slight tingle that I've never felt from a man before and I inwardly berate myself. 'Alexa, you will not let your boss be the first man who turns you on. Absolutely not'.

Luckily, Cass doesn't expect a response or reaction. He returns to his plate and continues eating like it's not a big deal, and to him it is. The kiss earlier, this whispered innuendo now, they're all fun little games for a man with his age and experience. There's no way he's feeling what I'm feeling and if he was, it wouldn't affect him the same.

He has perfect control at all times. I'm sure he's immune to his body having stupid little reactions to a small kiss. 

I talk to other people around our table and it helps me to calm my nerves and pull myself back together which is good because the dancing comes next. At least three girls come up to Cass to ask him to save the first dance and he tells each one the same thing, "I'll be dancing with my date tonight."

I'm starting to get annoyed when I ask Cass, "Should I be taking it personally that these girls are asking you to dance right in front of me. I'm supposed to be your date, it would be a dick move if you said yes. I mean, what crazy stuff would I have to say to you for you to want to get away from me the second the music starts."

Cass chuckles and says, "You know, you're pretty funny Alexa."

I flip my hair dramatically and say, "Obviously."

He laughs again then grabs my hand saying, "You're the most beautiful girl in the room and any girl who thinks they stand a chance is crazy."

I laugh and say, "Feel free to count that as one of the favours you owe. Complimenting me wasn't part of the deal."

At that moment, MC takes to the mic to announce that the dance floor is open. Cass stands up, still holding my hand and says, "I guess that's our cue."

I stand up beside him and say, "You better be good. These are the nicest shoes I've ever owned."

"I'm Italian, believe me, I can dance."

The confidence in his voice and the heated look in his eyes are a lethal combination. I would melt on the spot except that nothing focuses me like a challenge, it's part of the reason I said what I said. I knew that I would have a hard time keeping my reaction at bay once we were dancing so I made it a bit of a competition.

From what I can tell the music is a samba and from the first step I can Cass is the perfect lead. Thankfully, I've had some dance training and I've spent a lot of the last three months clubbing with Tony and his friends so I'm able to follow just fine.

I love the feel of my dress as it twirls around me and I make a mental note to remind myself to thank Annabelle later for helping me pick this dress. 

I see girls eyeing Cass from the sidelines and so does he so we continue from one dance to the next not giving them a chance to step in. Mr. and Mrs. Gaffan come over at some point to steal us away from each other for a dance. I can see Ellie talking Cass's ear off while I have a quieter more serious dance with Mr. Gaffan.

Towards the end of our dance he says, "You're a sweet girl Alexa, I hope you can handle Mr. Conti."

"He's been nothing but amazing to me, I assure you," I respond lightheartedly.

"There's more to the man than what's on the surface, just make sure you proceed with caution, okay? My wife likes you, I hope we get to keep seeing you around," he says as the song ends.

He doesn't give me a chance to respond, he simply hands me back to Cass.