Page 170 of Take My Hand

“Want me to speak my dad and ask him what he thinks?”

I hadn’t thought about that, but it was a brilliant idea. “It might make me feel a bit better, just in case he says yes.”

Zak hugged me closer. “I’ll do it tomorrow. And for the record, I don’t think you or your dad should feel guilty.”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “How did you know I felt guilty?”

“I just know,” he chuckled. “It’s who you are.”

And I loved that he knew that about me. It was one more reason to make my little heart sigh.

It was like I knew that when he rubbed his temple with one finger, he was about to say something that he thought might upset me. Like now.

“What?” I asked.

“About you feeling guilty, you shouldn’t with Ana.” He flashed a glance across the room to where Ana was scowling at a boy who was chatting to her. “I know you think you should be the one making the effort and feel bad that you’re annoyed with her, but you shouldn’t. All you’ve tried to be is a good friend. She’s the one who?—”

“I know,” I said, cutting him off, not wanting to argue, but knowing we would if we continued talking about Ana. “I know, Zak, butyouknow she’s my oldest friend and I can’t just cut her off.” Irritated, I sat forward so that his hand fell from my shoulder.

“Mads.” His fingers wrapped lightly around my bicep. “I’m sorry okay, but you have no idea how scared I was for you. You know, after what happened to Ruby.”

Turning to face him, I was surprised at how worried he looked. His eyes were hooded, and he was chewing on his bottom lip as he watched me carefully.

“Zak, I was never in any danger. It was just vodka, babe.”

He started to spin one of his rings around and there was no denying the tension and worry on his face and in his eyes.

“It might not have been. Plus, Ana had no idea whether you would have a bad reaction or not.”

“She’s seen me drinking vodka before, Zak. She knows exactly what I can and can’t drink.” I cupped his face and he leaned into it. “She was never going to put me in real danger, but I understand your worries, especially after what happened with Ruby.”

His hand moved down my arm until our fingers linked and he pulled me back against his chest. “I promise not to mention it again.”

“I do appreciate you worrying about me.” Kissing him quickly, it felt good to feel his lips lift into a smile. “Fancy a dance, I love this song.”

Zak tipped his head back and listened as Snakehips’ All My Friends started to boom out. “Yeah, okay, let’s go.”

Taking his hand in mine, with his arm draped over my shoulder, we made our way onto the makeshift dancefloor in the conservatory. It was heaving with people and smelled distinctly of sweaty bodies and weed. Emma and Liam were in the midst of the crowd, slow dancing and necking on like they’d run out of oxygen. Liv was standing and talking to a couple of girls who left our school the year before, but she gave us a wave as we looked over.

Zak took hold of both my hands, lifting them and moving them and his hips in time to the music. Dancing was something else he was good at, the way he moved made me feel all hot and gave me butterflies deep in the pit of my stomach. He had great rhythm that wound its way through his whole body as he mesmerised me with every single move. I followed his lead and when he put a hand against the small of my back and pulled me closer, we were practically joined. I loved that with each swayand thrust he grew harder against his jeans his gaze growing more intense.

As the song built up towards its end, Zak’s hand moved to my bum, and he pulled me even closer so I could feel the outline of his erection.

“Do you know how much I like you,” he said close to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re like no one I’ve ever met before.”

“Is that a good thing?” I asked, pushing my hips forward and rubbing myself against him. It earned me a groan, and his grip on my backside tightened.

“Very.” His teeth nipped my earlobe, and I could feel myself getting wetter with every single second.

“Do you think there’s somewhere we could go?” I asked, raking my fingers through his hair, gently scratching his scalp. “I really need to be alone with you now.”

Instantly his lips were on mine, and his tongue pushed inside, slowly seducing mine with every sweep. Without saying anything he lifted me up, and my legs wrapped instinctively around his waist as he pushed through everyone, all the time his lips on mine.

“Seriously.”

I would have ignored the comment and carried on to wherever we were going, but a hand in the middle of my back stopped our progress.

Zak groaned and sighed heavily. “What, Ana?”

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