Page 157 of Broken Breath
There’s a raucous cheer as everyone turns toward him, towardus, some even raising their drinks at him. He just grins, tosses a wink toward the DJ booth, and heads straight for the bar, pulling me along in his wake like I’m caught in his slipstream.
“What do you want?” he shouts over the music once we reach the bar.
I shake my head. “Nothing!”
He pouts, full-on lower lip sticking out like he’s about to throw a tantrum, and I have to laugh.
“Maybe later!” I add, and that gets a grin out of him.
Luc orders a beer the size of my head in one of those massive plastic cups, then casually loops his arm around my waist.
Before I know it, he’s dragging me toward the dance floor with Otis in tow.
I protest, digging my feet in, but he just pulls harder, flashing that infuriating grin.
“Come on.” He leans in close, his voice dropping low against the curve of my jaw. “It’s my birthday, I want you to dance with me.”
Fuck.“Fine.”
The crowd parts to let him through, and once we’re settled, the bodies cluster and close back in around him. Girls invade his space, voices raised as they laugh and flirt, but he just flashes that easy grin, his head tipping back as he soaks up the attention.
I get edged out fast. One minute, I’m at his side, the next, I’m floating somewhere near the edge of his orbit. Otis stays planted like a tree, somehow holding his ground beside Luc with his beer in hand and a blonde swaying against him, laughing at something he says.
Eyes darting around, I catch Piper and Dane a few feet away, dancing close. I spot Finn next, leaning back againstthe bar with a beer in hand, his eyes scanning the crowd. Our gazes lock, and for some reason, he holds it this time, but I look away before I find out how long he would have held for.
I’ve never been in a club before, never really wanted to be, and I’m not sure I like it. Shifting my weight between my feet in a way that no one could mistake for dancing, I start subconsciously trying to locate all the exits, already halfway to deciding to get out of here, but then Luc is there, right in front of me so suddenly that I gasp.
He reaches for me, his hand finding my waist despite my giant hoodie, and he pulls me close, shaking his head like I’ve done something unforgivable.
“Why are you over here?” he scolds, all possessive heat.
A small laugh escapes me at the instant relief of him. “Was trying not to steal your spotlight.”
“Non, non, non.” He grins and shakes his head again, but then his grip tightens on my waist, and his eyes take on a darker glint. “You’reminetonight.”
Before I can so much as take a breath, he spins me and presses in at my back, his body locking against mine in a perfect fit. His chest molds to my shoulder blades, hips flush to my ass, one arm banded low around my stomach, anchoring me there like I belong to him.
The other is still holding that damn beer.
His nose skims the curve of my neck, breath hot, lips barely grazing my skin as he inhales. His scent, the sharp bite of sweat and beer, hits me like a sucker punch. I shudder and lean into him, letting my body surrender to the press of his, because there’s no use pretending I don’t want this.
“Better?” he murmurs.
I nod, the back of my head skimming his chest. “Yeah.”
“Bon,” he purrs. “Now, show me what you’ve got.”
The beat drops heavier, and Luc moves with it, hips rolling, body sliding against mine, guiding me into the rhythm until I can’t tell where I end and he begins. His hand spreads across my stomach, fingers slipping under the hem of my hoodie, calloused skin brushing mine, drawing a gasp from my throat. His hard cock presses against my ass, the friction sending heat spiraling up my spine.
“Putain.” Luc groans into the shell of my ear. “You smell too fucking good. I want to bite you.”
I tip my head, baring my neck like a goddamn offering, and his lips find my skin, followed by his breath and teeth. He gives me a gentle nip, just sharp enough to make me gasp. I arch against him without thinking, grinding back into him, and he groans again, this time rougher.
The world zeroes in on where our bodies connect, but before I let go completely, I check the room one more time. Otis is still dancing with that blonde, already looking a little drunk. Piper and Dane are making out like they can’t get enough of each other.
Looking back over our shoulders, I get the faintest glimpse of Finn, his eyes fixed on Luc and me, watching.
But tonight isn’t about Finn and how he can’t stop looking at the mistake he made. It’s about Luc, the way he’s moving with me, against me, his lips brushing soft words into my skin, offering promises I’m too scared to ask for.
