Elle (an excerpt)

No context. Just a random part of a random chapter...

PS. This is not the final version

I was singing my heart out and dancing with her when I accidentally bumped into something hard. I swung around with a broad smile and an air of carefree energy. My heart stuttered when I came face to face with a man’s solid chest.

I stopped dancing and stepped back, caught off guard by the beauty before me. He was tall and athletic, wearing a white tee shirt that hugged his toned biceps and shoulders.

My eyes trailed upward and I noticed the scruff along his lower jaw, sly grin, and amber, honey eyes. I had no idea that rich, golden eyes existed until that moment, and his were peering down at me. Me, with the sweaty forehead, wild, wavy hair, and audacity to bump into him.

“I’m so, so sorry! I didn’t realize you were so close behind me.” I spoke so quickly that his eyes widened in surprise. “Ahh, oh my God this is so embarrassing!” I clasped my hands to my cheeks and felt my face grow warmer.

“You’re fine, you don’t need to apologize. I think I bumped into you.” His voice was silky warm, and his eyes held me, warm and curious.

Goosebumps rippled along my arms.

Oh my God, his voice. I thought. Where was he from? What was his name?

I felt my cheeks burn when he smiled with the most perfectly crooked grin.

“Sorry.” I barely uttered. “I mean, thanks. I mean…”

He extended his hand to me, “Wanna dance, mystery girl?” A warm feeling radiated through my entire body as his voice consumed me.

I couldn’t resist him. I cautiously placed my hand in his, and he slowly pulled me into his warm, strong body. I attempted to concentrate on anything besides what was underneath my fingertips and his light, cotton shirt.

Our eyes held each other as the world fell away. It was just us. This mystery man couldn’t be real. His wispy, chestnut hair fluttered across his glistening forehead every time I dipped. Hints of sandalwood and spice surrounded me with every twirl.

We danced as the band’s music floated around us. We danced under the Nashville lights with hundreds of strangers. We danced as if no one was watching the silent conversation between our hearts. We danced, lost in the bliss of our own world.

As I lay in bed later, snug beneath my quilted blanket, I found myself replaying the events of the night in my mind. It dawned on me, as my eyelids grew heavier, that my mystery man who danced with me under the stars never once asked me for my name.