Read Element, Part 1 for Free Online Page B

like
too.”
    “Yes, I do.” Natalie looked back up at Ryan. She felt
herself being drawn closer to him. She watched the movement of his lips. They
looked so inviting, full and plump. He talked but she didn’t hear anything he
said. At that moment, she heard an Italian accented voice speak.  
    “Is that you, Natalie? What are you doing here dressed like
that…and wearing all that makeup?”
    Natalie turned to see her worse nightmare, Tony. He stood in
front of them with two girls hanging on each of his arms, dressed in his
typical metrosexual attire. Looking at his dark brown hair, she knew he spent
thirty minutes perfecting it into a perfect mold. A sick feeling formed in the
pit of her stomach. She fought the urge to jump up out of her seat and attack
him. She was better than that.
    “It’s a public place. I can go wherever I choose,” Natalie
replied confidently. 
    “You’re with him?” Tony pointed his index finger at Ryan and
let out a smirk.
    Natalie turned away to see Lise’s mouth fall open. She
looked at Natalie and then back to Ryan.
    Ryan took Natalie’s hand. “Yes, as a matter of fact, she is.
Excuse us. We were just going to dance.” His stern voice had just enough
sarcasm to send Tony the right message. When Ryan stood up, he towered over
Tony, not only in height but in physical size. Tony didn’t back down. He
laughed under his breath and shook his head.
    Natalie didn’t think twice. She immediately got up to follow
Ryan. She turned her head in disgust as she passed by Tony. She heard him smirk
but didn’t turn around to acknowledge his high school behavior. When they
stepped onto the dance floor Ryan swung her around to face him, pulling her
body close to his. He held on to her hand while allowing his other hand to drop
to her waist. Was he doing this to make Tony jealous or did he really want to
dance with her? She suspected both.
    “Thanks for saving me. I really appreciate it.” Natalie’s
heart raced and she struggled to breathe. Every muscle in her body tensed, not
allowing her to move. How come every time he touched her, he had this effect on
her? What was it about him?
    “Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m guessing that’s your ex.”
    Natalie nodded. “He’s a total jerk.”
    “You don’t have to tell me that twice.” His eyes fixed on
hers and it stirred something deep within her. “Natalie. Natalie.”
    “Uh huh,” she muttered, gazing into his eyes. He had her
into a total trance.
    “Relax. You’re too stiff. Do you know how to salsa dance?” Ryan
took a step back.
    “Oh, yeah. I’m sorry. I forgot the steps.” She watched how
his feet moved back and forth. His hips swayed from side to side and she had to
concentrate to keep her focus.
    “Just follow my lead.” He pressed his body firmly against
hers, directing her movements.  It didn’t take long for her to catch the rhythm
of the beat. Lights flashed bright colors of red, blue and green all around
them, bringing the dance floor to life. Every movement of Ryan’s body against
hers overwhelmed her.
    “You’re doing great,” he said spinning her around. He held
on to her hands and laced his fingers through hers. He lifted their arms,
raising them above their heads and then pulled her closer to him. When he
leaned over his breath warmed her cheek and she fought the temptation to kiss
him. A deep need formed inside of her, striking every part of her body. Even
those she didn’t know existed.
    She needed to control herself but couldn’t seem to pull
away. She had to stop while she was ahead. Something kept drawing her toward
him; an uncontrollable and irrepressible force. Forgetting all about the
consequences of a broken heart, she ignored her own rules. The sweet sensation
made it too good to walk away.
    Ryan lowered their hands and guided her body to rock back
and forth against his in a perfect medley. Her hair swirled around his face,
capturing and locking his body to hers.
    “Where’s all that air