17: SHALL WE NOW... DANCE?

SHALL WE NOW... DANCE?

"Miss Howard, I mean, Ingrid...shall we?" Ingrid stared at the hand of the man stretched before her, looking like a real gentleman.0

Her face wrote hesitation while looking at his outstretched hand.

'What did I put myself into?' she slowly stood up and didn't take the man's hand; instead, she just walked on her own. Clifford narrowed his eyes and stepped on, but when he was on her side, he put his hands on her back, assisting her walk.

She looked at him and motioned to take his hands on her lower back, but Cliff just ignored her and continued walking with her still his hands on her lower back.

"Honey, look at them, aren't they look lovely?"

"Hmm..." the emcee cleared his throat.

"Let the dance commence!"

The band played the song Love Moves in Mysterious Ways. Cliff and Ingrid faced each other and stared at each other for a while. Ingrid was lost looking in those big blue eyes. She felt as if she would lose control of her emotions if she is not watchful.

"Ingrid, shall we now... dance?" she just nodded and took his hand and followed as Cliff leads the dance.

She put her hand on his shoulder while their hands intertwined. Cliff's other hand was on her lower back. She kept her body distant from his, but still, she could smell that male scent from him. It drives her crazy, so she just closed her eyes. Everything was so foreign to her, though she danced with men before but never felt something like this. It made her feel giddy and as though there are some butterflies in her stomach.

Suddenly, Cliff pulled her closer to him, which make her wide eyed and gasp in surprise.

"You are so stiff Ingrid, come on, loosen up a bit..." his voice gives her chills. His hot breath landed on her spine, giving her goosebumps all over her.

"Hmmp!" she squinted angrily. Cliff left out a soft chuckle.

"Why are you so...."

"So what?" she snapped.

"Forget it." He smiled. And they just savored the moment and listened to the song and danced slowly to the melody.

LOVE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS

IT'S ALWAYS SO SURPRISING

WHEN LOVE APPEARS OVER THE HORIZON

I'LL LOVE YOU FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS

BUT STILL IT'S A MYSTERY

HOW YOU EVER CAME TO ME

WHICH ONLY PROVES

LOVE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS..

Ingrid's heartbeat erratically, and she tried to wiggle out of him, fearing that he will notice the erratic beatings from her.

"Easy, easy, let's just enjoy this moment as if it's the last..."

Ingrid blushed all the more. Her emotion was in chaos. This is the first she could not utter any word as if her tongue was tied tightly. She could not reason with him, blame it on the ambiance, on the music, on this very moment.

While Clifford was calmer than usual, he never let any woman touch him, let alone dance with him, since he doesn't like the bodily attachment. Many women crawled to his bed but never felt warm and at ease like this woman is giving him. His curiosity intensified, and he will do everything just to know her more, and whatever where this curiosity leads, he doesn't know. All he knew for now is he should let his gut decide for him.

She sighed deeply, knowing she is helpless at the moment. For the first time, she leaned on the man to get some comfort and closed her eyes. She forgot that everyone's watching them. Because of exhaustion, she dozed off on his shoulders.

The amused smile crept into Clifford's lips when Ingrid was leaning on him. He felt as if she is fragile and needed protection, and he is the only man who could ever do that. But then he froze,

'What are you thinking?' he became alert. Suddenly he sensed that Ingrid grew heavier on him.

"Ingrid?" he called her gently. When he pulled her away gently, he was surprised upon seeing her dozing off!

"Unbelievable!" he mumbled. Suddenly an idea struck him to wake the woman up.

"Do you want me to kiss you?" he whispered in her ears. She suddenly woke up and pulled away from him.

"Huh?!" she was startled. "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" her embarrassment made her wished that the floor would open and eat her. She feels like crying out of shame.

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