Page 8 of Forbidden Protector

I smirk at him.

“When have I ever?”

Chapter Two

Roisin

I can feel the bass tremble over my skin.

Rolling all the way up my body, over and over.

Ooh. This beat is just incredible.

There is nothing in the world like the feeling of completely losing yourself in something so primal. I literally don’t know what dance moves I’m doing right now, only that my limbs, my hips, my head are all flowing seamlessly in time with the music.

Every time I open my eyes, there’s a new face in front of me. One moment, I think I see Felicity throwing her long, black hair around; the next, Bella is in front of me, grabbing my hips as we move back and forth. I imagine we look quite sinful pressed up against each other like this.

But I don’t care. Tonight is about escaping reality, and Bella’s glittery lip gloss is transporting me to places I’ve never been to before.

I open my eyes again, and Bella’s gone—but there’s now a hand snaking around my waist, and I immediately lean into the embrace. The guy behind me is like a wall of muscle, clinging to me like a lifeline. Lips touch my neck.

My hips move of their own accord—pushing back into the bulge hardening in his pants. I feel more than hear his groan through the music. Vibrations from his throat tickle me as he kisses mine.

I reach up to hold him there, the thrill of his desire urging me forward.

This is what I want.

To be wanted.

A plastic cup is shoved in my hand, and I drink it automatically. I barely register the alcohol as it slips down my throat.

“Stay safe. I love you. Sorry.”

No. I don’t want to think about that right now. I throw the cup on the floor, where it is immediately lost in a sea of feet.

I turn to find my new friend, but he’s gone. His loss, right?

The music picks up, and the crowds press in closer. Bodies everywhere, pressed up to mine, all jumping and laughing and singing along to whatever this song is.

Do I know the words to this? I think I do. A girl grabs my arm, and we start screaming the lyrics to each other like we’ve been friends for years.

Another cup is put into my hand.

I drink.

I look around, trying to find Bella or Felicity. Anyone I recognize or at least came here with. The entire cast and crew were out tonight; someone around here must know who I am.

But as I take in the crowds around me, there’s no one. Or at least the lighting and the alcohol are making it impossible to see.

They left me. All of them left me behind.

“Stay safe. I love you. Sorry.”

The last message I received from my sister after she abandoned me in New York. Before she left me here alone. I thought she’d gone back to LA. I thought she’d just had enough of this place.

But she’s still in New York.

Just not with me.

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