Page 80 of Take What You Want

“What are you?—”

“Feel free to join me for a dance.” With a lazy smile that tells me he knows exactly what he’s doing, he strides off toward the small dance floor on the second level here, leaving me panting in my stool like a dog in heat.

The strobe lights call my name as they swallow up Nikolai. Flashes of white and gold dance across the small crowd, making them look as if they’re moving in slow motion. It’s mesmerizingand intoxicating to the point where I know it’s not even worth fighting it.

Especially not after he just wound me up like that. A throb sits between my legs and my cheeks are hot to the touch. The longer I sit here and pretend like I’m debating about following Nikolai is only a punishment for myself.

Forgoing the salt and lime, I toss back the remaining shot and don’t even notice the burn as it goes down my throat. I hop off the stool, more steady in my heels than I probably should be between the desire and alcohol swirling in my brain.

I don’t allow myself to think as I cross over to the dance floor. Nikolai tracks me as I get closer, staying toward the perimeter like he didn’t want to take his eyes off me even when he came over here.

When I reach the edge, he holds out his hand. His eyes shine when the strobes hit them and I’m once again knocked off balance by his beauty.

“I knew you couldn’t resist,” he yells over the music.

I take his hand, and he pulls me into the middle of the floor. “Shut up.”

He mockingly zips his lips, and I stifle a smile. This floor is a lot less crowded than the one below, so we actually have some breathing room as we begin to fall into the beat. “Nevada” by Vicetone thumps through the speakers, matching the heavy pulse in my stomach, and Nikolai grips my waist, pulling our bodies flush.

We move as one and it’s freeing as I allow him to guide us from one song to the next. He moves as effortlessly as he performs and part of me wishes I could be a fly on the wall right now watching us, watching him.

“Is there anything you’re bad at?” I joke.

“Not really.” He smirks, spinning me around and I come crashing back into his chest. I laugh, but the sound gets cut offas he flips me around so my back is to his front. Strong hands wrap around my hips as he pulls them flush to his and moves us together in time with the beat.

I place my hands on top of his, squeezing, clinging, clawing at them. My head falls back into the crook of his shoulder, and I shut my eyes, tuning everything out and allowing myself to just feel. The music, his touch, the lights.

His breathing is choppy, and I don’t think it’s from the dancing. He nuzzles my neck before biting a sensitive spot just below my ear softly. I gasp, and my hand shoots up, tangling my fingers in his hair. I’m not sure if I want to push him away or hold him closer.

No, I know exactly what I want. And it’s definitely not pushing him off.

Maybe it’s the confidence boost of that last shot or maybe it’s the playful bluntness we used to have with each other, but I surprise even myself when I turn my head and say, “You wanna fuck me, pretty boy?”

He freezes for a moment, before I feel his chest shutter against my back. “More than my next breath.” His rushed words are hot against my ear, sending goosebumps down my spine. He pushes his hips into my back so I can feel just how badly he wants to. And dammit, I want him too.

There’s no point in denying it. I wanted him when I was eighteen and I want him now when I’m twenty-seven. I wanted him when I visited him on tour a couple of years ago and I wanted him after his show the other night.

The desire is becoming all-consuming and it’s driving me mad. His scent, his touch, his voice…

“Are you going to let your head get in the way?” he whispers in my ear. “Or are you going to let me make you feel good, Jane?”

I hate that he’s right.

But not tonight.

Fuck it.

I break out of his hold and grab his face, bringing his lips to mine and sealing my fate.

20

NIKOLAI

It was a dirty move agreeing to the PR relationship with Kerra. Sure, there was the logical, business aspect of the decision. But more than anything, Jane is stubborn. And she wasn’t going to give in without a little push.

And I like seeing her jealous.

Yeah, I’m an asshole for it, but clearly it worked as she grabs my head and finally, fuckingfinally, kisses me.

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