Page 57 of Rebel Secrets
Wanted him to forget that he didn’t really like me.Wanted him to want to dance with me.Wanted him to hold me against that broad chest and put his heavy arms around me and make me feel safe and wanted.Maybe even desired.
Okay, a girl could fantasize.Especially about a guy she never had a chance with.But I also had to be realistic and know it wasn’t gonna happen.
I turned to say something to Rain, but Brian was lifting her off his lap and onto her feet then steering her toward the dance floor.Kade, who’d been sitting next to me, held out his hand to Olivia, the Angel sitting next to him.Everyone else had paired off, and I had a flashback to prep.Senior formal, watching my so-called date dance with everyone else in the room except me.
He was the son of one of my dad’s business partners and was attending another school in the area.I’d thought he’d liked me.Instead, he’d used me to meet the other girls in my class.
I’d pleaded a headache and left as soon as I’d realized what was happening.Which hadn’t been soon enough.The looks I’d gotten all week after the dance had been so humiliating, I’d considered lying to the nurse and pleading debilitating migraines to spend the week in the hospital.Anything would’ve been better than the looks I was getting from the other students.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.This situation is nothing like that.
“Dance with me.”
The hand in front of my face was huge and scarred and attached to Rebel.I’d barely been able to hear him over the band, but I’d heard enough to know it wasn’t an invitation.It was a demand.
I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes.He had that look on his face again.The one that made heat flash through my body.
I grabbed the champagne flute in front of me, downed the rest of it and took his hand.His completely engulfed mine as he waited for me to get to my feet.I’d kicked off my heels a while ago and exchanged them for the fluffy mules Tressy and Rowdy had gifted to their friends for the after party.They’d also had recovery sandals to choose from, but most of the guys still wore their shoes.Rebel had gone a different route.His feet were bare.
I found that sexy as hell.
As he led me out onto the dance floor, we got a few looks from people, especially one from Rain that I knew I’d have to answer later, but most everyone else was more interested in their own partners.
I’d had enough alcohol that I was over the line, but not enough to be sloppy.Maybe just enough to allow me to enjoy being held in Rebel’s arms.And maybe he’d had more than he usually drank because he looked happy for me to be there.
We didn’t say anything as we swayed to the music, staring at each other.The music wrapped around us like a web, keeping us close, ensnaring us in its mellow melody.I inched closer with every turn until we were pressed together from chest to thighs.Heat tingled from my fingertips to my toes.And all places in between.
Oh my god, I’m hot for Rebel!
My face flushed, and I watched his gaze drop to my cheeks.And lower.My lips parted, my brain glitching and my lungs needing more air.
Did I want him to kiss me?Did he want to kiss me?If I lifted onto my toes, would he get the hint?
His eyes narrowed, and I wondered if he’d read my mind.
Would he?—
The song ended with a sweep of the drum, and silence held for a second before the singer said, “Now, let’s get those hearts pumping again.We’ve still got a lot of time to party!”
The male singer’s voice jarred me back to real life, and I took a step away from Rowdy.At first, I wasn’t sure he’d release me.His hand tightened around mine and the one on my hip squeezed just a little tighter.His jaw shifted, and his gaze narrowed, locking me in.
A second later, he released me, and I swayed.His hands landed on my shoulders, steadying me.I’d definitely had way too much to drink.I wanted to snuggle up against that broad chest, lay my head above his heart and let his arms pull me in even closer.And that, my friends, was the road to Crazytown.
“Uh… Yeah.”
I turned and headed for the other side of the room.
ChapterFifteen
Rebel
Erin hurried across the floor,practically running by the time she got to the opposite side of the room.Away from me.
If I was smart, I’d do the same in the opposite direction.Instead, I stood there and watched her.The band had ramped up the party vibe again and everyone on the floor had taken places for a line dance.
“Hey, bro.You gonna join in or just glare across the room?”
Erin disappeared into the hall that led to the bathrooms.
