Page 6 of That Secret Something

The slower verse trickled in again, and she tugged us closer together. My heart hammered in my chest, heat pricking my neck, as she swayed us to the beat.

Her hot breath whispered in my ear, making me shiver. “You’re so stiff, Jess. You need to loosen up a little.”

Her hands slid down to my waist, and I gulped. It was very hard to control how any of my limbs worked or keep my lungs filling with her fingers gripping me right there.

She rolled my hips, making them swish to the music.

Unable to do anything else, I just let her manipulate my movements. The weight of her hands so firm and strong. A dull ache of desire spread through my abdomen—one I hoped to all the gay gods she couldn’t feel.

Rebecca let out a laugh as I stumbled again, and I couldn’t help but join in. I bet the whole spectacle looked ridiculous, but somehow, I didn’t care.

The ending notes wound down, gentle and delicate, the opposite of the woman’s grip on my waist.

“That’s better,” she commented, her lips pulling up into a smile. “You’re getting it.”

“Rebecca.” I was surprised by the sound of my own voice. My eyes betrayed me, lifting to look into her green irises.

Her gaze softened, reflecting the lights from the disco ball above. Or maybe she always had such sparkling flecks of grey in her eyes.

Her hands held my waist still. My pulse hammered in several parts of my body, humming and addictive, pushing me closer to those gorgeous pink lips.

Three

A static surge from the microphone ripped through the air. I jumped back, catching the unreadable emotion flashing across Rebecca’s face. Oh god. Did she know?

Two heavy taps echoed from the speakers, and I took another step back, like someone had slapped me. I trod on someone’s foot and uttered an apology to the air.

My head spun. Suddenly the combination of all the alcohol in my system did not feel good.

“Is this on? Test. Ah, yes, good!” The voice belonged to our headmaster, Mr Rippon. Everyone turned towards the stage, where he stood slouching in a crinkled suit that looked a few sizes too big.

I lifted my gaze and caught Lily watching me. These damn Lawson sisters and their poker faces. Did she see me almost stick it on her sister? Shit.

My attention was pulled back to the stage.

“Welcome, everyone. What a fantastic night. I can think of no better way of ending your time here than a big dance with your classmates and your favourite teachers.” A low rumble of laughter drifted through the crowd. “If you’re wanting any autographs from me, best make it quick, as by the end of the night, I will revert to pretending you don’t exist.”

His words faded into the background as my mind ran away with itself. Lily is going to barbecue me if she finds out about my crush on her sister.

Mr Rippon wrapped up his amateur comic set, thanked all the people he needed to thank, and the music resumed.

Lily grabbed my arm. “Bathroom. Now.”

Oh, shit. She knows. I’m dead.

Without giving me any option in the matter, Lily dragged me through the crowd and out of the auditorium. We clicked along the shiny floor in our heels, my heart rising higher in my throat with every step. If Lily kills me in the bathroom, who would tell Sausage? Who would feed him cheese?

She pushed me into the ladies’ and, despite it being empty, quickly ushered me into the closest stall and locked the door.

There was barely enough room for two people, never mind our extravagant dresses as well. The close proximity made things even worse. I could see the sharp rise and fall of Lily’s chest. The flare of her nostrils. The beads of sweat on her forehead.

I scrunched my eyes shut, awaiting the onslaught.

“Oh my god, Jess!” She squeezed my shoulders. “I can’t believe it!”

Yep, I’m dead. Please tell Sausage I love him.

“Tyler said something to me when we were dancing.”

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