To my left, a sleek glass bar stretches across the wall, bottles stacked like high, glowing under strips of LED lights. Behind it, a wide window opens straight to the backyard. A guy passing drinks to the crowd outside like a drive-thru service.
Chandeliers are scattered everywhere, lowly lit, and the lights bounce off their crystals in a way that makes them look like they’re dripping crystallized rainbows. To my right, a massive leather couch curves around three walls. At one end, a couple is practically devouring each other, whispering like the rest of us don’t exist. On the far side, two guys loungewith red cups in hand, scanning the room with those cocky grins that clearly show they’re looking for their next fuck.
The place is packed—bodies jammed shoulder to shoulder, voices fighting with the music, drinks sloshing as people shove past. Through the blur of moving bodies, I catch that messy blonde hair I’d know anywhere, faded low on the sides with the top slicked and combed over to the left like the classic fuck-boy he is. And that blackout band around his upper right arm, the same one that used to fuck me like he owned me.
Daniel.
Trying to hide what’s going on inside me, I let Arina pull me along, the two of us squeezing through bodies on our way to the bar. I grab a drink, the cold bottle slick in my palm, condensation dripping down my wrist. One long sip burns my throat just right as I scan the crowd and spot Daniel even clearer now.
I nudge Arina with my elbow. “Bitch, that’s Daniel. Over there.” I tilt my chin toward him, heart pounding even though his back’s still turned. Thank God he can’t see me… yet.
Arina follows my gaze, lips curling. “Oh, shit. What you wanna do? Want me to leave you to go talk to him, or what?”
“Hell. No.” I say, shaking my head, pretending my pulse isn’t trying to out dance the bass. “He’ll see me. He always does. But until then—let’s dance.”
I grab her hand and drag her into the crowd asBIAby Bino Rideaux ft. Nipsey Hussle shakes the floor beneath us. The beat slides through my veins, the air thick with perfume, sweat, and the bite of cheap liquor. Neon lights cut across faces, feeling like the freedom we need. Arina throws her head back laughing, moving her hips like she’s floating.
Out of nowhere, an arm hooks around my waist, a chest pressing into my back, and a familiar smell tells me exactly who it is.
I turn, and I’m hit with that woodsy cologne I used to get excited for—and those ocean-blue eyes that used to undo me without a single word. My body betrays me instantly, leaning into him as a slow smile pulls at his lips.
His lips are almost on my ear when he murmurs, “Beautiful, you couldn’t hide from me even if you tried.” His tone threaded with a confidence that makes my pulse trip.
He pulls me flush against him, his hand gripping my hip like it belongs there. “I wasn’t hiding,” I say, my voice coming out softer than I intend.
He smirks, his lips now brushing the small of my neck. “Liar.” The word sends a shiver down my spine. The music fades, the crowd dissolves. All I can feel is him—his chest rising against my back, the warmth of his breath, the way his fingers grab at my waist.
His gaze drags over me, his hand gripping my ass like he’s been starving for it. “Damn… I almost forgot how fucking stunning you are,” he growls, licking his lips like he’s about to taste me.
“Thank you,” I reply coolly, pretending I’m not melting inside. “What are you doing here? You came with friends or…?”
He chuckles. “Yeah, Jainey. I’m here with Justin. You know I wouldn’t be talking to you if I was here with some other bitch.” He pulls me closer until I feel his heartbeat thudding against mine.
He loves pretending he hasn’t run through half the city by now. Honestly, with that face and what he’s packing, I’m surprised he’s not off somewhere getting his dick wet instead of standing here with me.
“Whose house is this?” I ask quickly, changing the subject before I let him do something I might regret. “It’s beautiful. Shocked they’d even allow this kind of party to happen in here.”
He smirks. “It’s one of my parents’ houses. They’re gone for the month, so I figured why not? Gives the cleaners something to do.”
I freeze.His party?Great. If I’d known that, I would’ve stayed my ass home.
“Wow. Must be nice,” I tease, my voice edged with sarcasm. “I’m surprised the girls aren’t lined up outside your bedroom door already.”
“The only girl who’s gonna know where my bedroom is tonight… is you.”
“You’ve been ignoring me,” he murmurs, his voice sinking deeper, blue eyes scanning my face. “But you still move like you know I’m watching.”
“I don’t move for you,” I say a little too defensive for it to land right.
His hand slides up, fingertips grazing the side of my ribs until I inhale sharply. “You sure about that beautiful?”
I turn in his arms, bringing us face-to-face, his hungry blue eyes catching the flashing lights. “You shouldn’t touch me like that—I could have my future husband here” I say, even as my body betrays me, leaning closer.
He smiles, hungry and sure of himself, eyes locked on mine like he’s reading every thought I’m too afraid to say. “Your future husband is right here,” he murmurs.
His thumb brushes the side of my jaw as he leans closer. “And you being in my arms right now, in front of everyone, tells me everything I needed to know.”
I don’t move.
