Page 3 of Toxic

Around and around it goes, first fast, then slower and slower. I don't take my eyes off it, and the room is entirely silent, with the only sound being the glass on the carpet.

When it stops, my heart does, too. My mouth turns dry, and I slowly lift my eyes to Dante.

He smirks. "Well, what are you waiting for, Bridge? Get your ass in the closet."

"Shit. Not my sister," Aidan mutters.

Gianni scoffs and challenges, "Rules are rules. You want to break them? If so, we can eliminate the sibling one, too."

Aidan rises. "Whatever. I need another drink." He storms off to the bar.

Dante's expression stays neutral. He rises and holds his hand out to help me off the floor.

My pulse shoots through the ceiling. I take his hand and he tugs me up then leads me to the closet. The thick, eight-foot, mahogany door clicks shut, and everything turns dark.

His body heat penetrates my skin. I feel it before his hands slide over my cheeks and he tilts my head up. His hot breath merges with mine, and every atom in my body lights up.

"Have you missed me?" he softly asks, his thumbs caressing my cheeks.

Dropping my guard, I close my eyes and admit, "Yes."

He steps closer until I'm against the wall, and his hard flesh is against mine. "Did you think about my hands on you again?"

I swallow hard. "Yes."

"Maybe we should stop pretending this is something it's not then." He kisses my forehead then under my eyes and my nose.

I gasp and manage to ask, "What do you mean?"

"I like you. I always have. And I think you like me. So maybe I should take you on a date, away from all these cocksuckers. Just you and me. What do you say, Bridge?"

His thumb brushes my bottom lip, and I shiver. "Okay."

"Happy birthday, Bridge," he murmurs. Then his hot breath is all over me. His tongue is in my mouth, flicking against mine like there's no tomorrow, as if I'm his everything—the only thing he could ever want.

My knees buckle, and he presses closer, pinning me between himself and the wall.

I was so wrong about what it would be like to kiss Dante Marino. I thought it would be good. I assumed he would know what he was doing, and that I would like it.

I never imagined my body would hum against his, or the rest of the world would disappear, or every single touch he gave me would make me feel things I never felt before.

I didn't know I would melt into him as if my body belonged with his—as if itwerehis.

Before I know it, there's a knock on the door and it flies open, reminding me we aren't alone. My eyes adjust to catch Dante's wink then he steps back and strolls out of the closet.

My brother's voice calls out, "Don't fucking say a word about whatever you just did with my sister."

The room erupts in heckles, and I catch my breath.

He's going to take me out.

Dante Marino is finally going to take me out.

When I step out of the closet, blood drains from my head to my toes. My heart drops to my stomach.

What is she doing here? This is my party. I didn't invite her.

Lisa, the head of the cheerleading squad and homecoming queen, is drunk and throws her arms around Dante. It's a known fact she slept with Gianni last week.

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