Page 38 of Lassoed Love

His gaze is piercing and intense, like a magnetic force pulling me closer against my will. In this vulnerable exchange, his raised eyebrow and the playful smirk dancing on his lips hint at a silent acknowledgment of our shared encounters. It’s as if he revels in the clandestine dance of this weird fucking connection we’re somehow entangled in. The air thickens with an electric current, charged with a fusion of tension and curiosity binding us together in this peculiar moment.

Despite the horrified realisation that I’ve been spotted, I just can’t look away from his eyes. It’s like I’m stuck, completely hooked on his gaze that feels like it’s going beyond normal time and space. His eyes catch movement from beside me—David…Fuck!—I’d forgotten he was still next to me. I watch as that annoying smirk of Xavier’s disappears off his lips, his eyes now shooting daggers at David, who's sitting next to me—completely oblivious to Xavier’s silent threat.

Suddenly, it feels like all the air has ditched my lungs. I struggle to catch my breath, my heart now doing some Olympic-level sprints. I grab my drink and skull the rest of the contents down quickly. Wrong decision. It burns its way down my throat, and the potency goes straight to my head.

I need air. No.

I need to get the fuck out of here and away fromhim.

Standing on the platform, with Harrison and Michael cheering like maniacs, the chaotic buzz of the crowd around me seems to fade, drowned out by the warm sensation and shivers running down my back. My eyes unintentionally scanned the crowd, and there she was—Isla fucking Thompson. Caught off guard, I locked my gaze on her, wondering what the hell she was doing here, and... with that piece of shit, of all people?Seriously, what the fuck?

My gaze narrows as I watch Isla say something to the idiot, who’s completely oblivious to my death stares. Then she bolts, slipping through the crowd. Where the hell is she going? She better not be bailing on this, on whatever the fuck this is.

Nah, fuck that.

I quickly rattle off to the boys that I need to “take a piss” and run off in the direction Isla fled.

17

Happy Song - Bring Me The Horizon

I’m hauling ass, trying to catch my breath as I search for the damn bathrooms. Not sure how much of that intense stare-down David caught on to, I gave him a quick “I need to hit the bathroom” and dashed off. He looked a bit curious, maybe apprehensive. Who knows? I jog up to the nearest stall and ask the lady at the counter, “Excuse me, where are the bathrooms?”

She grins and says, “Dunnys are just down that way, love, round the corner behind that bar over there.” Her hand points in the direction, about 200 metres away.

I sprint in that direction and slip inside one of the empty cubicles, even though I don’t really need to…bloody hell.

I wait a moment, for good measure, before flushing the empty toilet and head back out to one of the nearest sinks.I rinse my hands and pat some water behind my neck, a futile attempt to calm the heat radiating off of me.

Grabbing a paper towel from the dispenser, I wipe my forehead, eliminating the beads of sweat forming along my hairline. As I stare at my reflection in the mirror, I can’t help but notice the disarraymy appearance is in—hair slightly dishevelled, eyes wide and still brimming with the excitement from before. It’s like the mirror is reflecting the chaos inside me.

Taking a deep breath, I fluff up my hair, fixing a few stray strands that have fallen out of my clip, needing to pull myself together before heading back out and face god knows what… orwho.

Drying my hands, I toss the paper towel into the bin. With that, I head outside, shuffling past a few girls now waiting in line outside the bathroom. I turn to walk out, but notice an exit to my left. Figuring I need some fresh air, I glance back at the arena, looking for... well,I’m not even sure.A feeling of unease stirs within me, and just as I turn to continue walking outside, I collide into something hard and bulky, a soft “Oof” escaping my lips.

The abrupt collision throws me off balance, sending me backward. Before I can land on my ass, two strong arms grab my waist, keeping me upright.

“Going somewhere, love?” A deep voice drawls. I freeze—recognizing thatvoice—even in my slightly dishevelled state. I try to pull away, but it's like trying to escape the gravitational pull of a black hole.

I glance up, meeting his intense gaze. The arena lights cast shadows on his rugged features, emphasising the scruff on his jaw. It’s the kind of face that would make most girls swoon, but all I feel is a surge of irritation and a hint of something else that I refuse to acknowledge.

“Xavier,” I mutter, my voice low and strained.

He smirks, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Didn’t mean tointerrupt your escape, princess. Leaving so soon?”

I scowl at the nickname. “I’m not your princess. Let. Go.”

His hands linger for a moment longer before releasing me softly. I take a step back, regaining my composure. “What are you doing here?” I ask, more sharply than intended.

“Just enjoying the rodeo, same as you, I see,” he replies. His gaze flickers over me, and I suddenly feel self-conscious in this silly dress.

I narrow my eyes on him. “I highly doubt we enjoy it the same way, and unlike some people, I don’t have a death wish.”

He chuckles, the sound sending a chill coursing through my body. “Fair enough. But you were looking for something out here, weren’t you? Or someone?” He adds with a raised eyebrow, “Where’s your little date?”

I avoid his probing gaze. “None of your business. And it’s not a date,” I scoff.

He takes a step closer, his gaze intense. “You seem to have a knack for finding yourself around me, don’t you?”

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