Page 45 of Icebound Attraction

He stretches out a charming smile.

“I'm not disappointed with the atmosphere on your campus...” he adds, continuing to devour me with his eyes.

“We don't have parties like this all the time, but it's true that it's great,” I chat, a little uncomfortable with his keen interest.

Maddie finishes her drink and gives me a sidelong glance.

Yeah, well, I get it, she's bored!

“Would you like to come and dance with us?” I suggest, more out of politeness than any real desire.

“Yes!” replies Lucas, determined.

We make our way back into the crowd. Maddie and Cassy are so focused on each other that I have no choice but to dance with Lucas. We move together to the rhythm of the music and the more we dance, the more tension I feel between us. In the end, Lucas's closeness isn't so bad, and I end up relaxing. I've got to admit, he's pretty hot too!

“You look beautiful, Emily...” he throws at me between two lascivious movements, a rather explicit sparkle in his eyes.

My cheeks are getting hot.

“Thank you...” I stammer.

He moves closer to me, and one of his warm hands comes to rest on the small of my back. This somewhat daring contact doesn't bother me, and I let him. He leans closer and I feel his breath on my cheek.

“You and me - maybe we could go have some fun somewhere else, what do you say?”

His words shock me. Flirting, seduction, dancing and touching are all fine. But to suggest that we go off in a corner and have sex, no, I can't do it.

The dance floor seems to be shrinking and I feel the need to withdraw.

“I'm sorry, but I'm here to enjoy the evening with my friends,” I reply, my voice firm.

He just laughs, a sound that gives me unpleasant chills.

“But you could also enjoy it with me.”

My unease is growing. His advances are insistent, and I don't want to find myself in a situation I can't control. He's always glued to me, and I can't stand feeling that way.

“No, I’m fine where I am,” I say, trying to free myself from his embrace.

But Lucas seems to tighten his grip. I hastily turn my head towards my friends and, seeing me do so, he reluctantly lets go. His gaze remains insistent.

“Give it some thought. I'm sure we could have a good time together.”

I barely nod and finally move away from him to join Maddie and Cassy. The music and lights around me suddenly seem less exciting and I can't shake the idea of Lucas's advances.

My friends look at me with concern.

“How are you, beautiful?”

“I’m fine!”

I try to smile.

Now I'm out of danger. No need to sound the alarm. I glance over my shoulder to see if Lucas is still there, but he seems to have left. I try to concentrate on the dance, but my thoughts won't let me rest. Lucas' advances have thrown me off balance, and I feel uncomfortable and vulnerable. The evening that seemed so promising before suddenly seems less liberating.

“I'm going to sit down for a while.”

“Oh, you want us to come with you?”

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