Page 40 of Waiting for Acceptance
“Yeah, I’ve noticed that.” I nod to the group and smile back at Marilyn. “It’s been lovely meeting you, Marilyn but I’m going to take a chance on asking a beautiful woman to dance with me.” She simply nods and smiles before turning to talk to someone atthe table next to us. The conversation between the girls is quiet, but not quietenough.
“...and he offered to come with me.” Lauren’s small shoulder lifts and Taylor jumps in.
“As an arch nemesis does,naturally.”
That’s my cue.
“Could the arch nemesis steal you for a dance?” I see her body stiffen ever so slightly, finding a little too much pleasure in the reaction she has to me. Negatively or otherwise. She turns around and her eyes fall to my outstretched hand.
“Is this the part where you grab the cake cutter and bring me to my demise?” A laugh rumbles out of me and I’ll be damned if she doesn’t smile too. I spin her onto the dance floor and the look of shock on her face is priceless.
“Don’t tell me you assumed I couldn’t dance.”
“Okay, I won’t.” I pull her body flush with mine as we continue to sway to the music.
“Enlighten me, Trouble. This feisty little attitude of yours— are you like this with everyone or is it something you bring out just for me?” She takes such a deep breath that there’s not an inch of space between us.
“Hmm, I’d tell you,butI’d rather not give you the satisfaction.”
“So it’s just for me then.” I smirk at her and she glares up at me.
“Interesting thatthat’sthe answer that would bring you satisfaction.” I spin her around once, quickly bringing her back in.
“What bringsyousatisfaction?” I tip my chin in her direction.
“Dirty.” The flirty way her eyebrows raise and the tone of her voice has my blood traveling south.
“Sweetheart, if you want it to be, it can be. You can tell me every dark and dirty desire you have and I would explore every one of them with you.” Her eyes pop and her cheeks flame. “But I simply meant, in life. What brings you satisfaction?” That addicting look of desire falls from her face, replaced instead by confusion.
“Oh,” she says, dropping her eyes as she thinks. “Giving you frown lines.” I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to bend someone over my knee as much as I have this little troublemaker.
“Brat,” I mumble into her ear, noticing the goosebumps spread down her arms.
Interesting.
“Asshole,” she bites back through her teeth.
Lauren left me at our table almost an hour ago to accompany her girlfriends on the dance floor, and I haven’t seen her since. Which isn’t something that would typically bother me, if it weren’t for the angry-looking man stalking toward me.
“Lucy!” he practically grunts as he falls into the chair across from me. “What the hell areyoudoing here?”
“It’s Fitz,” I correct him.
“I know.” He smirks humorlessly at me. I let out a sigh, giving up any hope of him ever using my real name.
“I’m here as Lauren’s date. Was that not obvious by the dancing earlier?” His nostrils flare and his jaw flexes.
“How exactly did that happen?”
Anger bubbles in my chest at his question. “Excuse me?”
“Just wondering how she goes from hating you to you being her date to her best friend's wedding.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my thighs.
“Ever consider that it’s none of your damn business?”
“Listen, you fu—” He’s quickly on his feet, but someone steps in between us before he can get another word out.
“Simmer down, please. Taylor will kill you if you cause a scene at her wedding.” She turns to face me and extends her hand. “I’m Ruby.”
