Page 54 of Vexing the Viper

"Fucking lucky you're on our side." I laugh, bumping my shoulder into him. Our conversation dies down, our stares back to the dance floor. There are multiple students out on the dance floor, and all I want is to take Niko out there and show him off. "I'll be back."

I interrupt Niko and Mateo, placing my hand at the small of his back. Leaning forward, I whisper in his ear, "Do you want to dance with me?"

Niko spins around, eyes wide. "You want to dance?"

"Of course, I do. That's why I asked."

"Hell yeah, I do."

I grab his hand, leading him out onto the dance floor. A slower song starts to play, and I quickly spin him in a circle, his laughter carefree and loud as he twirls into my arms. With shaky hands, I pull him to me, slowly moving to the melody.

"I have never danced with anyone before," I confess, trying to watch other students and see how they're dancing.

"Really?"

I nod my head, looking down at my feet. "I'm not very coordinated when it comes to dancing, but I really want to do this with you."

"You're doing great. Spin me again, I really liked that." He laughs, and I do as he says. I spin him around, twirling him under my arm.

When he's back in my grasp, we sway chest to chest, no space in between us. I gaze into his eyes, his light green ones filled withlust. I want to drag him back to the dorm and put my hands all over him, but at the same time I want to keep him on this dance floor.

"Do you remember the last time I asked you to dance, and you shot me down?" I ask, reminiscing on how far we've come.

"Sadly, yes. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It got us to where we are now. And I'm so damn lucky to have you in my arms."

I lift my hand up to Bo, petting his head as he hisses happily. Coby is next to him, slithering around as though he's dancing. I take the time to pet each of his snakes, all of them seemingly happy to be free.

"I'd say these guys are very happy to be out."

"They were always out. Well not always, but the beanie didn't always hide them."

"No, the beanie was to hide you. Now look at you. No beanie in sight and yet there's no stares, no whispers. Just the confident man who is commanding this space and all my attention. A man who looks beautiful and happy."

"I am happy," he whispers, his hands playing with the hair at the back of my neck.

The music dies down and we step off the dance floor, heading back toward our friends. I glance to the other side of the room, pausing when I see different professors lining the wall. My eyes scan each of them, recognizing a few. My eyes finally land on Coach Mahone, and I quickly drop Niko's hand.

Niko's head whips around, glancing down at where our hands are no longer connected. "What? Is something wrong?"

"Uh, no. Your dad is here, so I wasn't sure you wanted him to see us together." I shrug.

He turns to face the wall, then looks back at me. Snatching my hand, he pulls me toward Coach.

"Where are we going?"

"To see my dad."

"What? Why?" I stutter, my eyes widening. "We don't have to do this, Niko. I know you're not ashamed of being with me. You don't have to prove it."

"I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for us."

He drags me along the side of the banquet hall until we reach the area where Coach is standing.

"Nikolai. King. Are you both having a great time?" Coach asks, taking a sip of his drink.

"We are," I state, looking between Niko and Coach.

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