Tightly wound like a spring, this one. Everything about him screamed tension; from the tightness in his shoulders to the muscle working in his neck to hold his jaw quite to firmly closed. It was part of his appeal, she’d seen what was lurking underneath, and it was worth every single scowl.
And would improve with practice.

He required patience, like a skittish colt, and she had forgotten that. She’d like him find one of her buttons, but it was not a mistake she intended to make again. Slow and steady, gently does it.

“Oh honey,” she smiled as he took the class, his fingers brushing against hers, “are you still cross with me?”
Elina took a step closer, circled around in front of him, closer than he’d probably care to appreciate and leaned back against the tall table he’d claimed for himself. Her long red hair tumbled over one shoulder and she turned her head to look at him.

“Oh,” she laughed as he revealed his hand. She set a hand to his arm. “Was I supposed to wait around for you?”

Reaching out, she brushes his arm with her hand. “I would have done, for a little while, if you’d asked." Her smile dropped a little, her eyes adopting a gravity of feeling she usually lacked. “Would you have ever asked, Tahl?”

Elina held his eye. He was so at war with himself, torn between what he wanted to do, what he thought he wanted to do, what he should do, what was the right thing to do. There was so much going on in that handsome head of his it was a wonder he didn’t get dizzy. When was the last time he just did, when he just felt, and enjoyed the ride.

She fancied she knew. One corner of her mouth twitched upwards, remembering the warm pool under a hot sun and his all too eager hands.

“You don’t like to share?” she wonders, tilting her head, all of her attention his. “You remember what it felt like?” Elina smiled, raising an eyebrow, hoping to coax a little honest out from beneath his ever-present guard. “You don’t want to feel it again?”

Sighing, she takes another long sip of champagne, draining her glass. She slips the empty flute onto a passing tray and retrieves another before leaning back against the table.

“Could I at least tempt you to a dance?” she wonders with a lightly teasing smile. “I didn’t wear this dress for nothing. I’d hate for it to go to waste.”