Page 121 of A Very Merry Enemy
Maybe Sammy was right.
Dylan says something about the song and pulls me closer than before. I tilt my face up toward his like he’s the most fascinating person I’ve ever met.
Lucas’s expression grows more dangerous. The song continues and we keep dancing. I keep my eyes on Dylan while feeling Lucas’s stare burning into me from across the floor.
The song finally ends and Dylan speaks. “Thank you for the dance. That was really?—”
He doesn’t get to finish his sentence because Lucas is suddenly there beside us. His hand wraps around my elbow firmly, and his presence is completely overwhelming and commanding.
“Excuse us,” Lucas says to Dylan. His voice is polite but there’s an edge to it that makes it very clear this is not actually a request or a suggestion.
Dylan glances between us, clearly reading the tension radiating off Lucas in waves. “You good, Lucas?”
“Yeah,” he snaps.
“Thanks for the dance, Holiday,” Dylan says, walking away.
Lucas immediately pulls me farther onto the dance floor as a new song starts. This one is slower and more intimate than the last.
His hand slides to my lower back, pulling me against him until there’s no space between our bodies at all. His other hand takes mine, and his fingers lace through mine in a way that feels possessive, like he’s claiming me. We start moving together, and I can feel every inch of him pressed against me. His chest against mine. His thigh between my legs as we sway. His breath on my neck.
“You’re trying to make me jealous,” he growls. His voice is rough, and it sends shivers racing down my spine.
“Did it work?” I tilt my head back to look up at him defiantly.
“You know damn well it worked.” His hand tightens on my lower back. “Dancing with Dylan fucking Mitchell like I’m not standing right there watching you. Like I haven’t been watching you all night. Like I haven’t been able to think about anything except you in that dress.”
“You were dancing with Lindsay.”
“That’s different.”
“You’re right.” I pull back to glare at him. “You were dancing with yourex-girlfriend. I don’t know Dylan.”
“I didn’t want to dance with Lindsay.” His eyes are on mine, burning straight through me. “I was being polite.”
My breath catches in my throat. “You didn’t think about me.”
His jaw tightens. “I was trying to keep it platonic. I can barely be in the same room as you and not lose my mind.”
“You’re being irrational.”
“Yeah, I am. Because I’m fucking obsessed with you.”
Laughter spills from my lips. “Yeah? How’s that working out for you?”
“Terribly.” He manages to pull me even closer. “I lasted exactly five minutes watching you dance with him before Icompletely lost my shit. Better be glad I didn’t break his arms for touching you. I can’t pretend, Peaches.”
“Good.” I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, matching the rhythm of mine. “Now you know how I felt.”
“I’m sorry.” His voice is quieter now. “I didn’t know how to turn her down without making it weird and awkward for everyone.” His thumb traces slow circles on my lower back through the fabric of my dress. “I’ve been waiting for you all night. All week. All my fucking life, Holiday.”
I can’t breathe. “Lucas.”
I want him so badly I can barely think straight.
“What are we doing?” I ask quietly, my voice barely audible over the music.
“I don’t know.” His thumb brushes across my bottom lip, and my knees nearly buckle.
