Clock Strikes Midnight: Great Falls Academy, Episode 4 by Alex Lidell

Author:Alex Lidell [Lidell, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Danger Bearing Press
Published: 2019-07-05T05:00:00+00:00

8

Lera

I’m suddenly shy as River draws me into the powerful frame of his arms. A clean soapy scent wafts from his clothes, weaving with his natural woodsy smell. Even as he grabs my waist firmly, he pushes against our clasped hands, engaging a gentle tension between us. His sculpted face is suddenly so close to mine, it’s an effort of will not to close the distance. One, two, three, one, two, three, the music calls, and River sways to it, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three.

I start to move my feet, but River’s hold tightens gently. “Just listen to the beat. Let it fill your body until the tension is too much to bear.”

I’ve not seen this side of River before, not even in Lunos. For a heartbeat, I expect the moment to dissolve, but I find him opening to the music instead, his pulse matching the melody’s rhythm. I draw an uncertain breath, but the security of his hand on my waist holds me steady. Despite being so close that my lower right ribs press tight against River’s taut body, the position manages to feel powerful instead of lewd.

One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three.

River sways, each movement winding an invisible spring.

“Ready?” he asks.

“No.”

“Let me lead,” he says into my ear, his final pause seeming to compress the energy of the world into a single movement. “Stop thinking and let your body listen.” He squeezes my hand once, and, with the first step, the male moves through me. Powerful thighs step between mine, propelling the pair of us across the wide empty terrace.

“Left. Right. Together,” he murmurs, his body molding mine into the motions, making us rise and fall and twirl.

Wind hits my face, the stars starting to spin. For a moment—just a moment—I feel like I might actually be dancing, River’s perfect movements embracing uncertainty, guiding my body with gentle cues of pressure and step.

We spin. Again. Again. A—

I step on him.

His hand only tightens around me, a steady assurance that he isn’t letting me go. He sways again, finding the rhythm before thrusting us into motion.

Left foot. Right. Together. I recite the instructions in my head. Right—no

This time, I somehow manage to crash into the male, only River’s firm hold preventing me from tripping over the hem of my own dress. Heat fills my face, a bouquet of embarrassment and regret. He invited me into the magic of a dance—and not just a dance, but the dance, the night’s crown jewel to mark the clock turning to Ostera.

And in return, I’m body-slamming him.

“This isn’t happening,” I say, pulling my hand from his grip. “I can’t learn how to dance in the course of a single song.”

“You are right,” River says, but instead of releasing me, he only tightens the grip. His gaze pierces me, powerful and steady and deep enough to brush along my soul. “Can you trust me, Leralynn?” he whispers. “Not forever, but just for this song.

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