Page 61 of Stuffed

"Blame the dress." His eyes are dark as they sweep over me. "You knew exactly what you were doing when you chose it."

"Behave," I warn, but my skin tingles where he touches me. "We agreed to keep things quiet."

"Did we?" His thumb traces circles on my spine. "Because I don't recall agreeing to pretend I'm not completely captivated by you."

"Zane…"

"Fine." He steps back, but his eyes promise trouble. "I'll behave. For now."

I manage to mingle for about twenty minutes before I need a moment to collect myself. The way he keeps looking at me from across the room is making it hard to focus on conversations.

When I exit the bathroom, strong hands pull me into the darkened hallway.

"You're killing me in this dress," Zane murmurs against my neck.

"We shouldn't…" But I'm already melting against him as his lips find that sensitive spot below my ear.

"Shouldn't what? Want each other? Too late for that, dangerous girl."

His kiss steals my breath and my resistance. We end up in Asher's study, where things get heated but stay within the bounds of propriety because having sex on his desk wasnotan option, no matter how hard Zane tried.

"They're going to know," I say later, fixing my dress.

"Let them." He straightens his tie, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "I'm tired of pretending I don't want to kiss you every second of every day."

Back at the party, I notice Ivy and Asher watching us, heads together, clearly amused by our terrible attempt at secrecy.

"Ten!" The countdown begins.

"Don't even think about it," I warn Zane as he moves closer.

"Five!"

"I'm going to kiss you at one," he informs me.

"Three!"

"Everyone will see."

"Two!"

"Good."

"One!"

His kiss tastes like champagne and promise, like endings and beginnings all at once. When we break apart, the whole room is cheering—though whether for the new year or for us, I'm not sure.

"Happy New Year, my darling," he whispers against my lips.

"Happy New Year, bad boy." I can't stop smiling. "I guess the secret's out."

"Best way to start the year." He pulls me close again. "No more hiding how much I love you."

Zane holds my hand as we leave Ivy and Asher's party, the winter air crisp against our flushed cheeks.

"Come home with me," he murmurs in my ear as we wait for our Uber. "I have another idea about how we should start this year."

"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow, but my heart is already racing. "What kind of idea?"

---