Page 98 of Life of the Party

“Marcy, I—”

“Just go.” She demanded.

I turned and fled down the same path Grey had taken, and no one tried to stop me.

I didn’t look back.

CHAPTER 39

The wind sailed over us as we raced down the highway on his motorcycle. I clung to Grey, clad in his large black jacket, my crinoline skirt blowing haphazardly in the breeze, just like Allison from my favourite movie,Cry Baby,after Wade Walker rescues her from the Charm School.

We’d been riding for half an hour solid, but there was still plenty of highway to go until we reached home. I snuggled down into his warm jacket and hugged Grey closer.

When I caught up to him back in the hotel lobby, his fists were clenched with anger, tension obvious in his stiff gait as he stalked across the polished floors.

“Grey!” I’d called, running to meet him. “Wait.”

He half-turned to me, his eyes lighting up with surprise, but then shook his head. “I’m really sorry, Mackenzie.” He walked on. “But I have to go.”

“I know.” I panted, keeping pace with him. “I’m coming with you.”

That stopped him in his tracks. He whirled to face me. “What?”

“I said I’m coming with you.”

“But the wedding…your family…they’re going to be pissed.”

“I don’t care.”

Grey stared at me, hesitating. For a brief moment, the scowl set on his lips was replaced by the smirk I loved so much. He shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to me, internal debate resolved.

“You’re going to need this.” He stated, grasping my hand. “Come on.”

Now, I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. My fingers could feel the taut, warm muscle of his abdomen beneath his thin white dress shirt. I felt so alive, riding off into the sunset with him. I was exactly where I wanted to be. I’d go wherever he wanted. I’d be happy so long as we were together.

There was something in the air—something thrilling. I could feel it. Like the fire from our earlier stolen moments had been banked, and the wind was feeding the flames, igniting them to burn hotter and hotter. The air was charged, almost thick with anticipation, like watching a lightning storm approaching from the distance.

Maybe Grey could feel the current of electricity pulsing between us, too. He was pushing the motorcycle fast and hard, in a hurry, a rush, leaving me breathless and excited, my pulse racing with exhilaration.

It was dark when we finally pulled up at his house. I bit my lip, frenzied, my tummy tingling as I climbed off the bike, my heart thrumming in my chest.

“You’re shaking.” Grey noticed as he grasped my hand.

I shook my head, unable to speak. I wasn’t trembling from the cold. If anything, I felt overheated as we walked together towards the front door.

Inside, the darkened house was stuffy and smelled like stale cigarette smoke. Grey went ahead of me, flipping on lights and opening windows as I stepped out of my ballerina high heels and shrugged out of his coat. The night air felt cool against my heated, dewy skin but brought no relief to the glowing warmth within me.

I couldn’t take it any longer. Grey stood with his back to me, his white shirt sleeves rolled up against the hard, dark muscles of his arm, completely sexy and totally irresistible even at that angle. He took some bottles of beer from the fridge and set them down on the counter to open.

“There’s not much for food here. Are you hungry?” He asked casually.

“No.” Not for food, anyway. I gulped and took a shaky breath, biting my lip.

Grey smirked. “You okay? You look kinda flushed.”

“No.” My voice was barely audible. Then, with some nerve I didn’t know existed, I kept his eyes locked in my gaze and with a trembling hand, I slowly undid the zipper on the back of my dress. Grey watched me, stunned, his blue eyes burning as the gown fell to my feet—crinoline, sequins and all. I saw his fists clench, his jaw tense. I stood before him in nothing but my strapless bra and lace underwear, letting him take me in, his gaze languid, savouring. Then, with one last brazen shred of daring, I reached up and pulled the pins from my hair until the black curls were tumbling wild and free, cascading around my shoulders.

“Mackenzie…” His voice was low, throaty and uneven. He seemed to be hesitating, but even then, he couldn’t rip his eyes away. Grey stared at me in awe, his fists clenching tighter as if to keep from reaching for me. “Are you…sure?”

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