Page 21 of Left in the Dark

Excitement dances in her irises as she shifts in the seat. “You wanna take me to the lake and dance with me?”

I nod. “Yeah, but it’s not a good idea?—”

“It’s the perfect idea. Please, Zayne. My hand doesn’t hurt that badly. I really wanna go.”

I can’t fucking resist her.“I’ll tell you what. There’s a gas station ahead. I’ll get some ice, and as long as you put it on your hand while I’m driving, I’ll dance with you.”

She raises her injured right hand. “I promise.”

Thirty minutes later,gravel crunches beneath my tires as I head to where I usually park. The rain stopped before Delaney and I arrived at the gas station.

It’s a different world up here.

The clouds have parted, making way for the stars to shine. Although I see water dripping from the needles of the pine trees in my headlights, it’s not wet like it was in Green Haven. The storm likely started here before moving to town.

My veins hum with anticipation as I shut off my truck. My gaze moves to the sky, and I smile as happiness thrums through me, my heart beating like a drum. I turn my head, staring at Delaney’s profile as she leans forward, peering through the windshield at the beauty illuminated by the headlights.

“Stay right there.” I open the door and slide out, then hurry around to Delaney’s side. Opening the door, I hold out my hand. The smile she graces me with takes my breath away.

She takes my hand and climbs from my truck. “You’re such a gentleman. Your momma raised you right.”

“She did. But you bring out this side of me.” Shutting the door, I hold her hand in mine as we approach the dock. “No one else affects me like you do.”

Her eyes meet mine, and even in the darkness, I see her blush. “I’m honored I see a side of you no one else does.” Hervoice lowers to a conspiratorial tone. “You get to see the real me, Zayne. I hide behind a façade around everyone else. But not with you.”

We step onto the docks, and I shoot her a wink. “I’ve seen through the façade for a long time. You tried to hide who you were when we first met… but I sawyou. I’ve always seen you.” I lean down, capturing her lips with mine.

When I pull back, I pull my phone from my pocket and pull up one of her favorite songs, “Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden. I shove it back inside my pocket before we melt together, always drawn to each other like two magnets. I wrap my arms around her and whisper, “Be careful with your hand.”

She nods as I begin swaying us to the beat of the song. Her head moves to my chest, and I lay my cheek against her silky hair, closing my eyes as the dream I’ve always wished for comes true.

Exhaling a breath, I tilt my head to the sky, silently thanking the stars for giving me the most perfect moment of my high school career. Nothing compares to this.

When the song ends, she pulls back, looking up at me with such adoration that I’m speechless.

You can’t have her. My traitorous thoughts ruin the moment. I push them away, refusing to believe their lies.

I spin her around so she’s facing the lake. “Look.”

She gasps as she takes in the silvery glint of the moonlight on the water. “Oh my God. That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

“It’s the second most beautiful thing I’ve seen.” Tearing her green irises from the moonlit lake, they lock with mine. I gently stroke my knuckles over her cheek. “You’re the first.”

CHAPTER 16

Delaney

The throbbing in my hand is dull and easy for me to ignore when I’m in Zayne’s arms. Dancing with him on the dock of the lake beneath a star filled sky, the moonlight dancing across the lake is enchanting. It’s the perfect prom.

He spins me around to the songs playing on his phone in the pocket of his dress pants. The crisp mountain air dances on the exposed areas of my skin, but I’m warm in Zayne’s embrace. Butterflies dance in my stomach, and shockwaves of pleasure shoot through my skin where our bodies are connected.

“You’re so handsome.” I smile up at him. “I’ve never seen you in anything other than jeans and tee shirts, but this… You carry it off well.”

Zayne blushes as he looks down at me. The embarrassed smile is so damn endearing that my heart stutters inside my chest. He’s a tough, smart-ass who’s always in control of himself, so to see this side of him makes me fall even harder.

“Thank you.” His low, gruff tone causes goosebumps to dance across my skin. “I wish I had the money to rent a tux?—”

I put my finger against his lips, silencing him. “You’re perfect the way you are.”

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