We find Rachel and a few other girls from school already dancing in a loose circle. Rachel gives me the usual cold shoulder, but a few of the others flash friendly smiles. Jessie keeps a firm grip on me like she knows I have plans to disappear at the first opportunity, so I give in.
I let the music take over. I close my eyes. Let my hips move. Hands in the air, body swaying. I don’t overthink it. I justfeel. The bass. The beat. The heat.
Jessie slides behind me, her hands landing on my hips, laughing against my ear. “Damn, girl! Don’t stop, but look how they’re watching you.”
I open my eyes and follow her stare.
Johnny. Axel. Nik. They’re on the edge of the chaos, drinks in hand. Girls are dancing right in front of them, trying to catch their attention. But their eyes? Their eyes are on me. I feel like a sparkler lit from within. I lean into Jessie, deciding to give them a show.
“Yes, Queen!” She whoops, picking up on my energy.
We slide our bodies together, feeling the beat. Hands roaming, hair flipping, hips swaying, until the song changes. With a smile playing on my lips, I gently slide Jessie’s hands off my waist and step away. I walk slowly, deliberately toward the guys, every step a tease. Nik lifts his chin slightly when I reach him, offering me one of the two cups in his hands. I take it and hold his eyes while taking a slow sip.
The beer still tastes awful. But the way his blue eyes flare in the dim, flashing lights makes everything go warm.
I lick my lips. “Thanks.”
He doesn’t respond, at least not with words. His eyes drag down and back up, slow and appreciative.
I reach out, the alcohol making me brave. “Dance with me?”
Nik shoves his beer at Axel and takes my hand, eagerly trailing me back toward Jessie. I flash her a smile and let the rhythm pull me in again. I’ve never danced like this in public, but I love music. It doesn’t just move my body; it stills my mind. It speaks in a language my trauma can’t drown out. I let it carry me, sensing his presence from behind. His large hands spread on each side of my waist, strong and possessive.
Suddenly, he tugs me flush against him, my back to his front. His grip hard enough to make me gasp. Possibly firm enough to leave marks.And, I love it.I rest my head back against his chest and let our bodies flow together. His fingers tease along the strip of bare skin between my skirt and crop top, and one of them slides just under the edge, giving me a little thrill.
With a buzzed boldness, I reach an arm back to loop around his neck. My fingertips toy with the soft ends of his hair at his nape. We move as one, slow and sensual, hips in sync. His hold is grounding and electric all at once. I arch against him, and the pressure of his body sends heat blooming low in my stomach.
“Princess?”
My eyes flutter open. Axel stands in front of me. Watching. Wanting.
“Let me touch you?”
I look back to Nik, gauging his reaction. He doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t have to. His eyes meet Axel’s with something curious, maybe even a little amused. There’s no jealousy, no tension, just… understanding. A complete one eighty from their moment in the kitchen earlier.
When I nod, Axel steps in, his hands claiming my hips. The air between us crackles.
He draws closer, sandwiching me between their hardbodies, and my knees almost give out. Nik’s hands roam higher, fingers brushing against the sides of my breasts, until I’m biting my lip to keep from whimpering out loud. My nipples are hard as rocks against Axel’s chest as he grinds against me from the front. The build-up is maddening. My breath comes faster. I squeeze my thighs together, desperate for relief.
Axel’s grip tightens on my hips, and I brace a hand on his shoulder for balance. My whole body is trembling.
“Let me see those eyes, Princess,” he murmurs. His voice is low, ragged.
I obey, looking up.
His usual amber irises are almost black with want. I raise my beer to my lips and take a sip, just to cool myself down. His gaze drops to my mouth, and I almost drop my cup when he leans in and slowly licks the residual foam from my upper lip. My knees go weak.
God, I could stay between them forever.
But just as I start to forget myself, a hand closes around my wrist and tugs me from between them. I stumble, face-first, into another warm body. His familiar scent wraps around me before I panic.Johnny.My body relaxes on instinct.
Someone takes my cup from my hand, and I slide my arms around Johnny’s neck, holding him. His hands settle on my waist, thumbs brushing the exposed skin. Each stroke sends sparks up my spine until I’m practically panting.
When the song ends, he spins me around, and I find myself facing Axel again. Johnny presses in from behind.
I freeze.
His hard length pushes against me. Unbidden, my mind starts to slip, spiraling toward old memories. Not the good kind. But then Axel’s hand cups my cheek.
