“How about it, my special girl?” Jaeson said, holding his hands out.
“Are you cold?” I asked with a teasing smile. “I’ve never seen you cover your arms.”
“What, these?” Jaeson said, holding his sleeved forearms up, grinning. “I’m toasty warm. But not as hot as it’s going to get later tonight.”
His words were quiet enough only I could hear them. That familiar sensation of heat sparked between my legs. I was his girl, there was no denying it, as I took his hands and began our dance.
“I want to get straight to the point,” Jaeson began, although there was a beat of hesitation.
“You can tell me anything,” I said.
“I want you to know how much you mean to me,” he said in a rush. “I don’t care where you come from, I don’t care what you’re worth, because you ended up in my heart, and you’re worth everything to me.”
My heart clenched in my chest. I squeezed him tighter as we danced.
“I promise I’ll put more thought into how I talk to you,” he said.
“Thank you,” I said. “All is forgiven, and I’m happy here with you.”
We enjoyed the feeling of our arms around each other, the temperature rising between us as we danced, his touch fueling that earlier promise.
I caught the sound of someone coughing, or maybe choking. I glanced at the source of the sound, and saw Cynthia on the edge of the dance floor, watching us intently. I slid my gaze back to Jaeson, but watched her from the corner of my eye as we danced. Her expression curled into a snarl as she turned on her heel and stomped away, disappearing into the crowd.
“Aubrey,” Jaeson whispered. “I want you to know—” he paused, a pained line appearing between his brows before he powered on. “You’re everything to me,” he said. “The only time I feel happy is when we’re together. I love you, Aubrey, and I can’t get enough of you.”
My stomach fluttered, a thrilling, shivery feeling coursing through me. I opened my mouth to reply, but Jaeson continued.
“It’s okay,” he said. “You don’t have to say it back yet. I know we all have some things to work out, and you’ve been taking shit from every direction lately.” The music came to a close and we slowed to a standstill, staring into each other’s eyes. “I just wanted you to know. I meant everything I said.”
I brought my hand to the side of his face. The crowd applauded. Jaeson frowned.
“Guess that’s my cue,” he said.
“I’ll see you soon,” I told him. “I promise.”
Jaeson leaned in, taking my ear into his teeth for one brief, exquisite moment.
“Good girl,” he whispered, then stepped back, turning around and walking away.
I felt intoxicated, as if my entire body was floating in the most pleasant way. I barely noticed Riot walking across the dance floor and coming to a stop in front of me.
“You fixed your tie,” I was all I could say.
“Luka taught me how,” he said, slipping his arms around my waist.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and danced with him as the music played on. Our feet didn’t move. We simply rocked together, held close, staring into each other’s eyes. I could look at him all day long, with that messy hair and dark, soulful eyes. I imagined taking a long road trip with him, the wind in our hair, talking about everything and anything. In my imagination, he was laughing and smiling the whole way, and I was at peace.
We rocked together for almost the entire song in silence.
He opened his mouth. “I…” He trailed off, a look of almost confusion on his face.
I looked at him, expectantly, with a hint of worry. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
“No,” he said, and fell silent for a moment, before continuing. “That’s exactly it. Nothing is wrong.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“When I’m with you,” he said, “nothing’s wrong. Everything is right. Every single thing.”
