Her chest rose and fell as she debated that option.
I needed this conversation to end before my resolve crumbled. “When you give yourself to me, you will fully belong to me. Choose carefully.” I pushed my hand between her thighs. Her silky shorts were soaked with her arousal, tempting me beyond measure.
She responded with a moan.
I spoke low in her ear. “I promise you can’t handle what I will do to you.”
With heroic willpower, I somehow managed to drop my hands and step back.
She stood there, her chest heaving with emotion, and then she spun on her bare heels, sloshing water and ice out of her glass as she disappeared into the shadows.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
MILA
The Viper wasa huge nightclub that spanned three stories. As soon as I walked in the doors with Oleg and Anton riding my ass, the heavy beat of the music and the strobe of the lights intoxicated me.
“I’m going to look for my friends,” I yelled over the music to Anton.
Selena had reserved a big corner table on the second level that overlooked the dance floor. I weaved my way through throngs of people as I made my way up to find them. My emerald sequined mini and my bejeweled strap heels sparkled and danced in the lights. The whole place had a magical feeling to it.
Selena had invited a lot of her friends from childhood, so when I found her and Tanya, they were already in the corner with about a dozen other people.
“Mila!” Selena yelled, jumping up from her seat and putting her arms around me in a big hug. “Everyone, this is my girl. She and Tanya are my best friends.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Tanya cheered as she put a shooter in my hands. “Toss that back, girl.”
At first I was nervous, but all her friends were so nice and fun. Selena sat me down beside one of the guys there and whispered in my ear, “You should talk to Conner. He’s single, and he has a job. He’s a nice guy.”
“What about my situationship?”
She shook her head. “Is he here? No. So drink and dance that ass off, and see what happens to your night, okay?”
I caught sight of Anton and Oleg standing off to the side, sipping bottles of water. I pretended not to see them. “Okay.”
Conner and I chatted for a while. He was cute, and for the first time in my life, a guy was flirting with me of his own volition. Was this what real life actually felt like?
Despite the loud music, Conner continued our conversation. “So you’re working to get your GED?”
I nodded as I took a sip of my drink. “Yes. Are you in school too?”
“I’m a second year welding apprentice, so I work full time most of the year.”
“Once I get my GED, I’m hoping to return to school.”
He looked impressed. “Oh, yeah? What would you like to study?”
I had never admitted to anyone what I really wanted to do. I shook my head. “It’s silly.”
“There isn’t anything silly about wanting to better yourself.”
I felt shy. “I really like interior design stuff. Like decorating and lighting and that kind of thing.” I felt helpless just saying my dream out loud. “It’s not very realistic.”
He shook his head in disagreement. “No, that’s a solid plan. Everyone needs design help.”
“You think?” I couldn’t keep the hopeful tone out of my voice.
“Yeah. I mean, I never thought I’d make it through my first year as a welder, but here I am.”
