Her heart sung wildly in her chest. Never had a man been able to challenge her with just the power in his eyes. It was exciting, terrifying. She turned away. This cannot be. He is here for me; he is mine to do with as I please. I will not be intimidated. As she reminded herself of her power, her position, she expected to feel relieved—but did not.
The music was slow, an ooze of instruments that pulled and drove. The melody was neither soft nor sweet, but slow and sumptuous.
Jamie's hands tightened around hers, his body nudged hers backward with a command she followed.
The music changed and Anna knew Reuben was deliberately slowing the CD to test them. Immediately, her muscles tightened in response as the continual movements of rumba tried every muscle, forcing technique to be expert and unyielding.
Necessity forced her to look up at Jamie. He didn't acknowledge her as he moved them, forcing dependence on him and as her body strove to maintain complete equanimity, her mind went wild with frustration and annoyance. Not sure what he was going to do next, she could only guess where he was taking her.
His hand was on her back, fingertips pressing in as he lowered her into a backbend. Music continued to push. She didn't dare stop, even though the muscles of her abdomen were on fire as he slowly eased her into an arch and then back up again.
His eyes were hard when they finally took hers, sending a flutter through her system that threatened to weaken her. Like the ticking of the second hand, each dip and turn, lunge and sway was done in slow motion.
He brought her around in a spin that muddled her sense of direction, then pulled her hips tight to his and bent over her, forcing her into another tense back-breaking arc, spooned underneath him in the stationary stance until both of their bodies began to tremble and give.
Their faces were within inches of each other – the heat of his breath shot flames from her lips to her pounding heart. She had to look at him, and when she did, triumph darkened his eyes.
When her quaking limbs could take no more, she broke free, stumbling back. Every inch of her shook uncontrollably. This was a battle she could not win. The fact that it had been in the arms of a man she knew now was intent on proving dominance over her, was plain. He was bigger, stronger. She was stunned at the ease with which he had commanded her, as if she were nothing more than a feather on his fingertips.
Reuben turned off the music. Working to compose herself, Anna moved far from Jamie and the hot vacuum surrounding him. She had been taught never to back down or away from anything. Accustomed to men that rarely challenged her, it was not the challenge she didn't care for, but that he seemed to enjoy the very act and was intent on being the victor.
Hearing movement directly behind her, she tensed.
"Again." His voice shot rivulets of fire up her neck.