Page 19 of In Her Arms

She glowed. There was no other way of describing it. Her hair shone under a halo of disco lights, her blonde hair done up into elaborate twists that looked like victory rolls. She beamed, her teeth framed by red lipstick and what was surely an eyeliner beauty mark. Her skin glittered, an open shirt revealing collarbones and cleavage. While her shirt was open, her pants were tight and high-waisted, accentuating her hips as she slowly danced, rolling her body in a way that made Cameron’s mouth water. She looked like a million dollars. She looked like the best kind of trouble.

She made eye contact with Cameron after what felt like an eternity and her smile somehow widened, but as Goldiemoved to walk toward her, an arm reached out and tapped her on the shoulder. Just like that, Goldie disappeared into the crowd of writhing bodies, and Cameron didn’t even bother trying to go after her. The look on Goldie’s face had told her everything she needed to know. She figured she wouldn’t be long looking for her.

Cameron tried to play it cool as she leaned against one of the tables near the edge of the dance floor, but her mind was in overdrive. She had the image of Goldie’s face in her mind, and it wasn’t going anywhere—the warmth of her smile and the way her eyes lit up at the sight of her. It wasn’t just the glow from the lights or the atmosphere in this place; it felt like so much more than that. So much.

She took another swig of her beer. The frosty liquid did next to nothing to cool the heat creeping up her neck.

Jesus, I need a shot.

But she stopped and reminded herself that being friendly was the name of Goldie’s game. She was a natural charmer. It didn’t mean anything, surely. The handholding, the kissing…it was nothing to this woman. But the more she repeated that mantra, the hollower it sounded.

A minute ticked by. Then another. The music was banging, and Cameron could feel the beat in her bones. She watched as bodies pressed close together on the dance floor and the laughter of the cast and crew intermingled with the thumping bass. Regardless of her conflicting desires, her eyes kept searching. She was looking for that familiar flash of blonde hair and that sparkling grin.

Then, through the crowd, she saw Goldie again. She looked to be alone, without a care in the world, her hips swaying to the rhythm of the music. Her eyes locked onto Cameron’s once more. This time, she didn’t look away.

Cameron’s heart thudded as Goldie began to weave her way through the crowd, her movements slow and deliberate.

God, she sure knows what she’s doing. She’s a powerhouse.

Cameron set down her bottle and did what she could to prepare herself mentally as Goldie drew closer. The woman’s skin was glowing. She looked so alive, so vivacious…so irresistible.

Fuck me.

“Hey there, stranger,” Goldie said, raising her voice so Cameron could hear her over the music.

Cameron tried to come up with a response. She was aiming for something witty, something cool…fucking anything. But her throat felt tight, and the words stubbornly decided to stay stuck in her throat. She settled for a nod and a smile and prayedit didn’t look half as awkward as she felt. Goldie was beyond stunning—and being in such proximity to her was not unlike flying too close to the sun.

“So, here you are! I was wondering if you’d make it,” Goldie said her voice teasing but her eyes soft. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“You—” Cameron cleared her throat and looked down at her cheap but stylish boots wondering why she hadn’t made more of an effort to get dressed up. “You were? Really?”

Goldie’s lips curved into a grin. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

Cameron shook her head, her heart pounding too hard to trust herself with words. Goldie took a step closer, the space between them almost non-existent by this point. Cameron could feel the heat of her body, smell the faint traces of perfume and a sweet, almost sweaty smell that smelled divine as far as she was concerned.

“You look great, by the way,” Goldie said, her gaze sweeping over Cameron’s outfit. “Very...you.”

Cameron chuckled nervously. “Ha. I was just thinking the exact opposite. Thanks. I wasn’t sure I’d fit in here.”

“You fit in just fine,” Goldie replied, licking her lips slowly and giving Cameron the once-over again. “You’d fit in anywhere. Besides, I’m glad you didn’t try to blend in. I like you just the way you are.”

The words sent a shiver down Cameron’s spine. She opened her mouth to say something, but Goldie was already reaching out, her hand brushing against Cameron’s. The touch was light, almost tentative, but it was enough to send a jolt of electricity through Cameron’s body.

Without thinking, Cameron grabbed Goldie’s fingers and gave them a brief squeeze. Goldie didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned in closer, her lips hovering near Cameron’s ear.

“Dance with me?” Goldie asked, her breath warm against Cameron’s skin.

Cameron gulped and wondered why her mouth felt so goddamn dry.

Goldie is going to think I’m an idiot! Why have I lost the ability to speak?

She wasn’t much of a dancer and would never usually bust a move in a place like this, surrounded by glamorous people who seemed to move with effortless grace. It just wasn’t her bag. But when Goldie pulled her gently toward the dance floor, Cameron did nothing to stop her.

The music slowed to a sultry beat, the kind that made people move just that little bit closer to each other. Cameron hesitated for a moment, but Goldie’s hands found her waist, and suddenly nothing else mattered. It was just the two of them, swaying together under the hot lights, their bodies pressed close.

Cameron could feel the heat radiating off Goldie and the softness of her hands as they moved from her waist to her shoulders. It was overwhelming in a way that made her head spin.

Goldie’s eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. The noise, the crowd, the flashing club lights—it all fell away, leaving just the two of them in this tiny, suspended moment.

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