Rowan says nothing but the smile on his face speaks volumes. It’s stiff, like he hasn’t practiced the movement in quite some time. I’m tempted to touch it to make sure I’m not hallucinating but I keep my hands to my sides.
I shouldn’t find it as endearing as I do. And I most definitely shouldn’t crave more of that stupid, timid smile.
During my next turn, I call out Rowan’s name. “Will you help me, please? I’ve been told by an expert that I twist my wrist.”
His small smile makes a reappearance. I want to do everything in my power to make him smile like that again. Now that I know a little bit about the kind of guy who hides behind suits made of armor, I’m interested in discovering more about him. Consequences be damned.
He walks with a sense of self-assuredness that screamsI have a big dick and I know how to use it.
Don’t think about his dick.
Rowan grabs his ball off the rack and keeps enough room for Jesus between us. I’m disappointed this isn’t like the movies.
“So, this is the way you’re swinging your ball.” He rears his arm back, making it twist at an odd diagonal angle. “Which makes your follow through curve to the side and head straight toward the gutter.” He demonstrates the way my arm swings like a pendulum in the opposite direction. I try my best not to focus on his veins as he shows me the correct positioning, but I’m a lost cause to the way his body moves.
“You try.” He pulls me away from my thoughts.
I attempt whatever swing he did and fail based on how his eyes lighten.
“No. Let me help you.” He puts down his ball and stands behind me. The body heat coming off him makes my whole spine warm.
Now this is what I’m talking about.
His hand grazes my arm before circling my wrist like a cuff. He holds on to it with the softest touch that has my heart pounding in my chest and my breathing turning erratic.
Seriously, he’s holding your wrist. Come on!
His husky voice is nothing but a whisper in my ear, yet I feel it straight to my core. “Try again.”
I move my arm backward. Rowan’s fingers remain locked around my wrist, guiding me through the correct follow-through. He repeats the motion a few times.
“Now you try by yourself.” He drags his fingers up my arm again before they disappear.
I pout at their loss since he can’t see me, and I mess up my swing on purpose because I’m petty.
“No, but you were better this time.” He shakes his head and lets out a low laugh.
I’m rewarded with the return of his hand holding on to my wrist as he shows me yet again. That time when he lets go, I try for real. My effort is rewarded with one of his small smiles.
“Perfect. Just like that. Okay, now you try once more.” He motions toward the lane.
I take a few steps forward and replicate the motion he taught me. The bowling ball launches out of my hand and rolls straight down the waxed floor, following the path of the tiny arrows.
I suck in a breath as my ball collides with the front pins, making some fly while others roll in opposite directions. Every single pin drops, and a red X lights up above the empty area.
I scream and run straight back to Rowan, who stares at my knocked-over pins. “I did it! I did it!”
He freezes as I wrap my arms around his waist. The fast beat of his heart is hard to miss despite the loud music and crashing pins.
His arms remain plastered to his side like he doesn’t know how to give someone a hug back. It only makes me laugh into his chest.
“Come on, you two! We’re almost out of time already!” my sister calls out.
I snap out of the moment and jump away from Rowan. His face remains blank, but I know how his body reacts when I touch him.
And it feels pretty good to make someone like him nervous.
21