“I didn’t drink,” I said quickly, barely stopping myself from reaching for him again before he could retreat any further.
A scarred eyebrow rose in question, lips pursing in disbelief. “I told you to wait for me.”
“You’re not the boss of me,” I shot back, unable to help myself.
“You’re right. And you made your choice.”
This time when he shifted away, I didn’t stop myself reaching out to grab the front of his jacket. “You took too long. I thought you’d left.”
“Mmm.” He made a contemplative noise and stepped in closer than he was before. “So it’s my fault, is it? That my little rabbit got so impatient.”
“I’m not yours.”
He chuckled. “You want to be.”
More heat flooded my face, flooded my whole body. I pushed him away. “Do not.”
Dex rolled his eyes. “Then why are you sulking?”
“I’m not!” I realized only then that I was pouting and crossing my arms like a petulant child, and dropped them.
“Be honest with me and maybe I’ll stay.” His smile was slow as he stepped in.
I wanted to push him away. I wanted to pull him closer. Instead of doing either, I let my eyes drop to that stupid tattoo on his neck, letting him advance on me until he was only inches away. So close and yet still not touching me. If I just leaned forward slightly…
“Who are you all dressed up for, Rabbit?”
I couldn’t think of a suitable response, not when his fingertips found the exposed skin of my waist, featherlight, his touch barely there and yet it was all I could focus on. “N-no one.”
“Mhmm…” He nodded slowly. “You should be honest with me.”
“I am.”
“You’re not.” He sounded so certain. Like he knew me so well. Well, he didn’t. He was quiet for a long moment, fingers tracing my skin as he waited for a confession I was determined not to give him. “Last chance,” he warned, inching closer. “Who did you get dressed up for?”
I bit my lip to stop myself from answering, not trusting my tongue.
Then his leg pressed between mine, and my knees almost went weak.
“Pity your mouth isn’t as honest as this.” His voice was low and raspy as he angled his thigh up into the growing bulge in my pants. It was all I could do not to whimper pathetically. “But I’ll accept it.”
Laughter from someone nearby sent a stab of panic into my core. I’dneverdone anything like this before, and knowing I was now, here, withhim, and there were people here to witness it, made me feel physically nauseous.
Dex turned toward the laughter, and whoever was making it immediately quieted down. I didn’t look to see who it was. My eyes locked on his shirt, my cheeks still flamed with embarrassment.I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be doing this. I should just leave.
“I need to go.” I pushed at his chest.
“You’re not running away this time, Rabbit.” He stepped back, but only enough for me to feel like I could breathe again. “Come with me.”
It sounded like a demand, but before I could argue with him, he turned and walked away from me. Oddly, I felt more vulnerable without his body there to shield me from prying eyes.
I took one long look at the front door, right beside me, before following Dex back through the crowd.
He made his way up the stairs, and my chest tightened as I followed him, uncertain of our destination and what would happen when we got there.
Ahead of me, he opened doors along the hallway until he found an empty room and stepped inside, waiting for me to follow. I did, then he shut the door behind us. The click of the lock felt as loud as a gunshot. Like something foreboding.
It was a bedroom. Beige and boring in decor, yet I’d never felt more intimidated by a room. I eyed the bed like it was a weapon set on my destruction, staying stuck in place right by the door. It wasn’t too late to run. I was pretty sure I could unlock the door andmake it out of here faster than he could stop me. Would he stop me? He hadn’t dragged me here after all. I’d followed him on my own. Why had I done that?Stupid, Jonah. Stupid, stupid, stupid—
