Free First Position by Melody Grace Page A

slides his finger out of my mouth, and leans in closer.
“I will drink you up, mia cara , every drop.”
    His mouth closes over mine as I realize what he means.
    Oh!
    It’s too late to exclaim, his lips claiming mine. He caresses
my cheek with his hand and slides his tongue deep into my mouth.
    I shiver, melting against him. His lips move masterfully over mine. I
fall into the kiss, tasting the chocolate sweetness, feeling his
touch everywhere.
    Heat and sensation. Desire and need.
    Raphael draws back. “Delicious,” he murmurs, with a
tempting smile. “I’ll save the rest for later.”
    I’m blushing hotly when I leap up to put my paper wrappers in
the trash. I need a moment to recover from the kiss – and his
sinful promise.
    I clear my throat. “So you were right about the gelato, it’s
amazing!”
    Raphael smiles. “I have a passion for food,” he admits.
“Luca’s family owns a restaurant, so it’s in his
blood. We both work shifts there, sometimes. You should taste his
Nona’s cooking.” He brings his fingertips together and
kisses them, a funny gesture of delight. “Her pasta ... and her
gnocchi! It’s a traditional Italian dish,” he adds,
explaining.
    “That sounds great,” I say wistfully, thinking of an
alternate reality where I can actually eat that stuff.
    “I could take you now.” Raphael meets my eyes with a
question. “If you’d like.”
    I swallow. Something tells me it’s not just the dinner date
he’s asking me about.
    Suddenly, panic crashes through me. Am I ready for this? What am I
doing?!
    I have my audition tomorrow. I should be back practicing right now,
not walking the streets of Rome, having X-rated thoughts about a
complete stranger.
    “Maybe some other time,” I blurt awkwardly. “I
should really get back.”
    “Oh.” Raphael’s face changes, smoothing into a
polite mask. “Of course. I can walk you back,” he adds.
“We’re not far from your dorms.” He stands up, and
stiffly gestures to the left.
    My heart drops. I’ve screwed it up now, I know I have.
    We walk in silence. My mind is racing, desperately trying to think of
a way to explain. How do I tell him that I want this too, but we’re
moving way to fast?
    Way to go, Annalise. Now he thinks you never want to see him
again.
    “You’re just up ahead here,” Raphael nods.
    “So...” I swallow. “I guess this is goodbye.”
    Raphael looks at me evenly. “That’s up to you. I meant
what I said,” he murmurs, moving closer. His hands slide around
my waist, and suddenly, there’s nothing in the world but his
blue eyes, piercing deep past every one of my defenses.
    “I can teach your body everything,” Raphael’s voice
drops, husky with desire. His hands slowly drift to my hips, tugging
me closer, until our bodies are pressed together. Intimate.
    “I will teach you to move, and dance, the way you never have
before, sweet Annalise.” His words caress me, rolling like
molasses down my spine. “The oldest dance of all. But you have
to decide. Do you want this?”
    His eyes search mine. I can feel his muscular thighs through our
clothing, the heat radiating from his body. Every part of me is
screaming a wanton chorus.
    Yes.
    I gulp, and then, before I can even think about what I’m doing,
I reach up on my tiptoes, and land a kiss on his lips.
    Raphael’s whole body stiffens under my touch. I lurch back.
    Oh God, what have I done?
    I pull away, but then I feel pressure on my waist. Raphael is still
holding me. He yanks me back again his body. “What was that?”
he demands
    “I’m sorry,” I babble. “You said… so
I… That was yes. I mean, yes. I want this.”
    I pause, collecting my thoughts again, and when I speak, it’s
determined.
    “I want you.”
    Raphael’s eyes flash dark with possession, and then he’s
pushing me back against the wall and covering my lips with his own.
    I melt into him. If the kiss the other night was blazing, and our
moment in the park was teasing, this is