This is what Jess and I used to do whenever we celebrated. We’d blast the music, drink champagne, and laugh all night as we danced together.
She might not be here, but I still have every reason to celebrate.
The song ends, and I spin, giggling, waiting for it to start again.
“Are you having fun, little one?” His deep voice makes me jump, and I scream so loud I give myself another fright on top of the one I get from finding him watching me.
My heart races as I press my hand over it, trying to ease away the adrenaline.
I’m not alone. How long has he been standing there with that look on his face?
Now my heart starts racing for a different reason as butterflies dance in my stomach. He looks gorgeous. The dark smile on his face, the tilt of his jaw, and that look in his pale gray eyes all have me thinking of the moment he pushed me against the wall.The kiss.
I rush over to the table and grab the remote, turning the volume down.“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were home. I didn’t mean to—”
“No, don’t ever apologize,” he cuts in, looking amused as he shakes his head. “You looked like you were having the time of your life.” He grins wider.Ugh. Why does he have to be so gorgeous?
He cocks his head to the side and saunters into the living room. I stand, shy, shifting on my feet, wondering how long he was standing there. Did he see me jump on the sofa? Will he be mad?
“What has you in such a brilliant mood?” he asks, standing close enough that I can smell his cologne, and impulsively, I step towards him.
“I, um, I got some good news today. They released the results from our last exams. Um, the assessments. I did really well.” I can’t hide the proud smile stretched across my face.I did better than really well. I freaking aced them.
Kristopher steps even closer. His hand brushes over my arm, setting my skin on fire. His touch grazes over me, his fingertips trailing my skin until he wraps his fingers over my hand.
I have no idea what he’s doing until he gently pulls the remote from my fingers. For some reason, this disappoints me.
I bite my lip.
“Sorry, I had it so loud,” I say, taking a step away from him, intoxicated by him and needing to escape it.
“Actually, I was thinking we should open some champagne, and that you should definitely keep dancing. That’s amazing news, Georgie. I know how hard you’ve worked for this. Please, don’t let me stop your celebration. I’ll grab a bottle from the fridge.”
At first, I can’t tell if he’s teasing me. But when I look up into his eyes, I see genuine warmth, genuine care. He really is happy for me.
He pushes the volume up and reaches out to take my hand.
I’m shy, my cheeks heating, as he pulls me towards him, then pushes me away again and spins me. “Dance. It’s beautiful to watch. I don’t often have the pleasure of seeing someone so happy,” he smiles, letting go of my hand and gesturing with a tilt of his chin.
He turns his back on me, walking towards the bar fridge at the edge of the living room. And I think to myself,fuck it. Iwant to dance. I want to celebrate.And if I can celebrate with Jess, I can celebrate with him.
It’ll be nice to have someone to enjoy this moment with.
The music is blaring again, my song, and I do a nervous spin, trying to find my flow again. But when the chorus comes on, I can’t resist. I’m singing. I dancing. I’m sipping champagne and loving every moment of it.
But now there is an added element. His eyes on me as I turn and sway my hips. The hungry look etched across his face when I glance at him over my shoulder and smile.
He sips his champagne slowly while his unrelenting focus is on me. The intensity of his watchful stare shakes me.
I feel desired. Wanted. Adored.
But that’s silly. He’s just watching me dance.
The song plays another three times, and after that, I’m dancing out, happy, and giggling as I flop down onto the sofa next to him. He hands me my glass of champagne and holds his up. I touch the edge of my glass to his.
“I’m really proud of you, Georgie. You are an amazing, intelligent, beautiful woman, and you deserve everything you’ve worked so hard for,” he says, causing a heated ball of emotion to swell in my chest.
I put my lower lip, smiling, watching his face.
