I hadn’t thought there were this many people on campus, or maybe every single person currently at the ARC showed up.
The hair on my arms stood up as I realized there were a lot of women. Some of them were scantily clad and somehow dancing even though it felt as though we were all crammed up together.
My wolf was not happy.
All the men I could see were brothers of Delta Omega Gamma. They were no threat to Denny, but I did not know these girls.
I understood why he had made me promise to stay at arm’s length.
It was like he could sense my hesitation again. Because in the center of the room he stopped and turned to me. He was still holding my hand, but he moved it to his shoulder and let go. I immediately missed his touch, but that was short-lived as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.
I didn’t miss a few looks shot my way, but my body and my wolf were already relaxing into his embrace.
He started to move. The music faded to a slow song.
“I can’t dance,” I yelled over the music.
“Everyone can dance. Just follow my lead.”
I tried, but the outcome was more of a stiff, awkward mess. He could have been trying to dance with a tree, and it would have looked more natural. I didn’t know what I was doing. People were watching us, and I felt extremely self-conscious.
To make matters worse, Denny laughed.
“Lauren, loosen up. This is supposed to be fun.”
But I wasn’t having fun. I was on the verge of freaking out and running from the room. Why would people consider this fun?
“Just breathe and close your eyes,” he told me.
I shook my head.
“Close them, babe. I’ve got you. No one else matters. It’s just me and you.”
I bit my lip, which drew his attention to my mouth. And then he kissed me. Right there in front of everyone. Denny kissed me.
His kiss and the memories of being alone with him in his bedroom warmed me all over.
When I started to relax and enjoy it, he smiled and pulled back just a fraction. Our foreheads touched as he continued to sway with the music.
“Just me and you.”
I nodded this time.
“Close your eyes and just feel the music.”
Hesitantly, I did.
At first it was just a slow side-to-side motion. My arms wrapped around his neck keeping him close to me. He held me tighter around the waist.
My eyes stayed closed as I buried my face in his shoulder and let him really guide me this time.
It was magical.
The music, being held by my mate, the scent of him surrounding me. It all came together in perfect harmony as the rest of the room faded away. For me, it was just the two of us.
Then the song ended, and a heart-thumping beat began once more.
One of Denny’s hands left my hip and pumped in the air as he began to jump. I laughed, but joined him.