He leaned in a little, eyes darkening. “What if I do?”
The air between us shifted again, thicker and hotter. My pulse kicked, wolf pushing closer to the surface, eager.
I wanted him. Not just his body, but that spark in his eyes, the rough honesty that made the world feel less heavy.
“You dance?” I asked him, feeling impulsive and reckless.
He snorted. “Not unless you count tripping over my own feet.”
I tilted my head, grinning. “Good thing I’m a professional, then. Come on.”
“Mark,” he said, shaking his head, but there was laughter in his eyes. “I’m serious. I’ll step on your toes.”
“Don’t worry,” I said, stepping closer, lowering my voice just enough that it brushed against his skin. “I’ll lead.”
Something flickered in his expression. Amusement, surprise, then something warmer.
The music shifted into a slow, romantic rhythm, and after a small hesitation, Zack let out a breath and offered his hand.
“Alright,” Zack murmured. “But if I fall, you’re catching me.”
“I was planning on it,” I assured him
We moved toward the crowded dance floor. I slipped an arm around his waist, feeling the faint tremor in his breath as his hand came to rest on my shoulder.
His body fit against mine like it was meant to.
“See?” I said, keeping my tone light as we began to sway. “You’re doing fine.”
Zack smiled, the corner of his mouth curving. “You’re doing all the work.”
“I told you I’d lead,” I said.
We moved slowly, finding an easy rhythm. The world seemed to narrow to the two of us.
The slide of his palm against mine, the warmth of his chest near my heart, the faint scent of pine and something sweeter beneath.
His curls brushed his temple when he looked up at me, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.
Zack’s gaze softened, all the earlier humor melting into something deeper. The air between us thickened with quiet tension, unspoken but unmistakable.
My wolf stirred, a low thrum of awareness running down my spine.
“You’re staring,” he whispered.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice rough. “Can’t help it.”
His breath hitched. “You really shouldn’t look at me like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I might—” He stopped, the words catching.
I didn’t give him the chance to finish.
I leaned in, closing the distance between us. His lips met mine halfway. The kiss started tentative and hesitant, then became hungrier.
The kiss burned through me, stealing every thought except the taste of him and the feel of his fingers tightening in my shirt.
