Page 25 of Charlie

"Let me lead, Charlotte."

I bristle. "I'm fucking trying." His lips twist, but I can't tell if he's pissed or holding back a smile.

"Close your eyes."

"You have a death wish, don't you?" I mutter under my breath, stumbling over his foot again.

He chuckles, the sound crackling over my skin. "Trust me. Close your eyes."

My body responds to his command before I can retort, and my senses take over. The brush of his wild hair on my bare shoulder. The heat of his fingers caressing my lower back. I shiver as he runs a finger along my spine, goosebumps racing over my skin. He hums deep in his throat, the sound registering in my core. I hate to admit it, but he was right; it was much easier to keep up with his steps this way. I open my eyes again, my attention snagging on his rings. They're intricate skulls, one carved from bone, the other from wood, both inlaid with gold.

I clear my throat, pushing past my nerves. "I like your rings."

His eyes flash dangerously. "They'd look better around your neck."

I stare up at him in shock, a breathless, "Fuck," passing my lips before I clamp them together.

"May I?" Lachlan appears at our sides, his hand grazing my hip. Jay growls his displeasure before handing me over, leaving me with a light brush of his lips over my cheek, the scent of whisky and leather mixing with Lachlan's citrus and wood. I'm pressed between them for a split second, Jay to my front, Lachlan to my back. Desire spikes through me. I bite back a moan, my teeth lodging in my lower lip. Jay exchanges a look with Lachlan, but I can't read it with his mask covering most of his face. Lachlan spins me toward him, my aching nipples brushing against his jacket. I clench my jaw, desperately trying to regain control. Lachlan presses his fingers into my back, melting the tension away.

"You okay, Barley?"

"Barley?"

"Trying out some nicknames. Everyone uses Charlie – I want something different." We sway to the music, Lach studying my face. "What was that back there?"

"What was what?" I play dumb.

"When you were between Jay and me... I felt that little spark?—"

"Little?" I blurt. "It was a goddamn explosion" I slap my hand over my mouth and turn away from him. I make it one step before his hand is on my elbow, spinning me back to him and pulling me close.

"It's okay, Harlot."

I squeak in indignation.

"Sorry!" He ducks his head, failing to hide his smile. "It's the only nickname I could think of that rhymed with Charlotte. I'll keep working on it."

"You better," I mutter.

"So that explosion..."

"Bring it up one more time, and I'm going to find something sharp to stab you with."

"God, you're magnificent." His eyes sparkle as he leads me around the dance floor.

Lachlan commandeers me for the rest of the evening until I finally manage to escape to the terrace for some air, but I quickly realize I'm not alone. I smell him before I see him –expensive cologne, summer thunderstorms, and leather. As my eyes slowly adjust to the dark, I can make out his silhouette leaning against the outside wall of the castle. Waiting.

Jay's gaze captures mine, solid and steady. "Stay."

"Why?"

"You know why," he growls. Desire pools in my stomach, heavy and warm. My heart works double-time, each beat higher and higher in my throat. He pushes off the wall and stalks toward me. I mirror his movements, stepping back into the grass.

God, he's beautiful – like a beast prowling the castle grounds.

"Run," he breathes. I'm sure I didn't hear him right until I see the look in his eyes, like he's an apex predator and I'm the prey. My fight or flight kicks in, a strangled sound ripping from my throat as I hike up my dress and run. Every cell of my body is vibrating with adrenaline and need. My slippers are slick with dew, my feet so cold I can barely feel them. A laugh bubbles up as I look behind me; he's gaining fast.

"Jay!" Isla yells from the terrace, "Have you seen Charlie? We're about to leave!"

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