Page 47 of Mariposa
One of them picks up his phone and escorts him out.
Whipping around, I find a pissed-off Violet. Her once-straight hair is now in thick waves, tucked behind her little ears.She scrunches her nose, the wrinkles around the center creasing. She always makes that face when she’s irritated. I’ve learned it too well over the year of being her instructor. The sight makes me want to throw her over my shoulder and rush her into my truck, away from everyone.
I refrain.
“Did you just punch?—”
“Violet, get the hell down from there,” I growl.
“No!”
“Woman, there are people with their phones out, and your…” I shut my eyes tight, and my jaw flexes to stop myself.
Your damn nipples and tits are out. But I stop myself and try a different approach.
I lean into her side to make sure no one can hear what I’m about to hiss.
“You’re someone’s girlfriend, or did you forget that part?”
She stiffens, her face turning cold, and jerks her head toward me over her shoulder. She gets down from the table, holding her glass of hard liquor in the air so she doesn’t spill it as her feet touch the ground. She glares at me and walks into the bathroom hallway. Her arm brushes against mine, and my skin comes alive at her touch. I follow right after, not caring if Karen or anyone I know is watching anymore. I step into the dark space with dim lighting coming from fake palm tree lamps screwed into the wall. Before she can reach another door, I grab her wrist.
“Where are you going now? Another stage to embarrass yourself on?” My question strikes her harder than I meant. My harshness can use some work, but my God, not tonight.
“It’s none of your business what I do in my free time.”
“It is. Adam told me to look after you, and I’m fucking sure he wouldn’t approve of you giving everyone a show!”
She rears back, jaw dropping.
“I don’t care if your son wouldn’t like this,” she mimics me in a deeper, similar snarl. “I want to dance! Why do you care so much?”
“Fine,I don’t like this! I don’t like it at all.”
My words stun both of us.
Her face softens, and a blush forms on her full cheeks. Her naturally full, cute, pouty lips could bring any man to his knees, wondering what they would feel like on theirs. Her almond-shaped eyes glisten with curiosity. Her cross necklace is turned over from all her messy, dorky dance moves. A coat of sweat covers her perfect, glowy skin. The dress hugs all her curves around her hips and thick thighs. I’m finally in a position where I can study her body privately without the fear of exposing how she always demands my attention.
Before she can say anything, I react.
Pulling up the top of her dress, the tip of my finger grazes her breast as I cover her nipples. Then, I turn over her cross necklace, so the diamonds are glistening, and it’s on correctly. She parts her lips and swallows while her stressed gaze turns into one of realization.
“Shit, I didn’t know my bra slipped and…dammit. I’m so stupid.” She rubs her temples, moving her red dress up higher.
“No, you’re drunk,” I correct.
Her two top teeth nip at her bottom lip as she looks me in the eyes, but then quickly averts her gaze toward her necklace, as if she can’t hold my stare because she’s too embarrassed.
“And you look...”
Beautiful.
I can’t say it.
Why the hell am I talking?
Shut the hell up, Kade.
Her gaze flicks to mine, her honey eyes with gold flecks brightening—the same way they did in that damn fuckingshower. She’s waiting for me to finish my sentence. I can’t think straight. Maybe I’m also drunk, tempted to say things that will have consequences.
