Page 65 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

He didn’t say anything, just pulled me closer, so I gave up. If he wanted us to pretend, I’d pretend till Brandon was legally under my custody and he got his publishing house.

I sighed with the feel of his arms tight around me. Why did it feel so good to be held by him? I licked my lips and I could still feel his lips on mine. I wanted to feel his mouth on me again.

I felt every hard muscle of his, as we danced our bodies flushed together. My mind was trying to be reasonable, but my body wasn’t listening as it pressed onto him. Today held firsts for a lot of things with Alexander. It was our first dance ever, first real kiss. Just the thought of that kiss made me ache for him, desire rushing through me.

“Wishing to wring my neck?” Alexander’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I followed his gaze and realized my hand was clutching onto his arm. I immediately loosened my grip and smoothed the wrinkles it left behind.

“Sorry,” I murmured, meeting his eyes. I wanted to be closer to him, but then I wanted a whole ocean between us. All these contradicting emotions were driving me crazy.

Just as the song ended, the voice behind me startled me.

“Liberty, could I have the next dance?” Callen was here! I stared at him dumbfounded.

“What… what are you doing here?” I asked in shock.

“I wanted to wish you all the happiness in person,” he spoke softly.

I stood there, remembering how he hurt me by waiting till the day of the wedding to put a stop to it. It should hurt badly but it didn't, he was my past and would forever remain in my past. It just left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Who invited you?”

“I did,” Alexander’s answer shocked me. I glanced at Alexander, his expression of cold and calm that I was so familiar with back in his eyes.

“You look beautiful,” Callen murmured. “I’ve never seen you more beautiful than at this moment.”

Alexander still held my hand and I had no intention of pulling my hand out to go dance with Callen. Instead I squeezed his hand, hoping he’d keep my hand in his, never letting me go. He squeezed my hand back and it was exactly what I needed. I needed Alexander, his strength, his assurance.

Brandon squealed at that moment, taking my attention away from the two men and I watched him run towards me.

“Hey,” I kneeled down, uncaring that I’d probably get my white wedding dress dirty.

“Livy,” he squealed. “Maxim said I can dance with you now.”

I smiled at his happy face. He didn’t even realize, but he just saved me with his perfect timing.

“I would love this dance with you,” I told him happily as I curtsied. He giggled and rolled his eyes.

“Livy, you are such a girl.”

He took my hand and started dragging me as I glanced behind me at the two men. My eyes lingered on Alexander. He was taller than Callen, almost like a threatening dark cloud towering over him, warning him to stay away. His eyes were on me and Brandon, and I had the oddest feeling that he’d always keep us safe. I smiled at him and his lips tilted into a half smile before I turned around to focus on Brandon.

As messed up as this situation was, I had to admit my first dance with Alexander was pretty close to perfect. As was this dance with Brandon. I remembered back to my dances with my mom. She would clear the living room and took turns dancing with Lena and me, teaching us steps.

“Who taught you how to dance so beautifully?” I asked Brandon.

“Mommy,” he answered in a slightly sad voice. A pang went through my heart, and enormous pride.

I had been avoiding talking about Lena and Larry, for his sake and mine. I didn’t want to make him sad, and I had a hard time getting the words out. I swallowed a lump in my throat and smiled down at him.

“When Mommy and I were small, my mom… your grandma… decided she would teach us to dance properly.”

His sad eyes turned into curious ones, listening to me.

I continued in a soft voice, missing them like flowers missed sunshine and water. “She cleared the entire living room and we started with a soft country song. Grandma’s favorite song was called “Whiskey Lullaby.” The song was sad and slow. And she took both of us and told us to close our eyes and feel the music. We did as she said, and with our eyes closed, we could hear and feel every note. Then, she told us to move how the song felt for us.”

I closed my eyes, remembering that moment and how happy we were. I could almost hear Lena’s giggles, and my mother’s laughter. My mother’s laughter was always soft with the little hint of sadness in it. I didn’t notice it when I was a kid, but as I grew older, especially now thinking back, I could pinpoint so many sad, struggling moments in my mom’s life.

“Then, what?” he asked in a low voice, as if he was scared to break the moment.

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