Page 29 of Crybaby

But that surprise turns into a startled breath caught in my throat as he wraps his hand around my waist and draws me against him.

He towers over me, and I like that I feel dainty in his arms. I would never tell him that, of course, but he is so alpha, and for some reason, I feel nothing but protected being entwined this way.

“How about we see what the fuss is about then?”

Now, I’m the one to cock my brow.

No words are spoken as he pulls me in even closer so that we are pressed front to front. I don’t know what he’s doing, but honestly, I don’t care because when he reaches for my wrists to position them on his broad shoulders and wraps both his hands around my waist, I am lost to everything that Rev is.

He is arrogant, cocky, and so fucking alpha, and I find myself forgetting all the pain that makes it hard to breathe when I’m with him. He quells the noise. With him, it’s…quiet.

But I know it’s the calm before the storm.

He leads me into a slow dance as we sway to the music, and if I were there with anyone else, I would be rolling my eyes and snickering, but with Rev, everything just feels right.

I am well aware of our classmates staring at us, some whispering about my choice of footwear or that they never thought they’d see us here, seeing as we aren’t really the conforming type, but I don’t care.

I wrap my arms around Rev’s neck, toying with the longer strands curling at his nape. He seems surprised that I’m openly touching him, and so am I.

Maybe something is magical about prom, after all.

We continue swaying, never breaking eye contact, and it’s almost a challenge as to who will look away first. But neither of us will back down. We are just as stubborn as the other, and when a lopsided smirk touches Rev’s lips, I know he can once again read my thoughts.

He bends down and whispers into my ear, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were having a good time.”

His comment is dripping with humor, and I fight the urge to stomp on his foot to show him what my idea of a good time consists of.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I scoff but can’t mask my grin.

Rev wipes that grin from my face, and I mean that literally when he reaches down and runs his thumb along my bottom lip slowly. I watch in fascination as he brings his thumb toward his mouth and sucks it.

It pops free a moment later while I remind myself to swallow.

“I taste lies,” he states while my heart threatens to rip free from my rib cage. “And I like the way you taste, little rabbit.”

The air between us is filled with an electrical current, sure to shock me into oblivion, but I don’t care.

I want the destruction.

I want the fire.

I want Rev…because he is my fire. He is my destruction. And I revel in the madness. It is here where I feel alive.

I want him to kiss me, and the way his eyes are zeroing in on my lips, I know he wants that too, but our perfect bubble is soon to be popped when I realize the music has stopped, and a bright spotlight beams down on us.

For a second, I think maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, but when I hear my name being called and notice everyone…and I meaneveryonestaring at me, I know that this hell on earth is really happening, and it’s really happening to me…and Carson.

“Holyyyy fuck.” Rev snickers in part horror, part humor, looking at Carson standing on stage wearing a tacky crown and high-fiving his moron friends who stand front row and center, cheering on their…prom king.

It’s no surprise he’s been crowned prom king, but whatissurprising is who his queen is.

It’s me.

“No,” I say, shaking my head animatedly. “There’s no fucking way.”

I spin to look at Rev, who joins in with the clapping, laughing his ass off. “This is a joke, right?”

“No, your majesty. I believe your king awaits you.”

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