While I try to convince myself this is what I want to do, Seamus pulls me to stand, holding my hand as we make our way through bodies to the middle of the dance floor. As if in a bad made-for-TV movie, the song switches from a high-tempo beat to a slow R&B melody the moment we hit the floor. And before I can even attempt to extricate myself from the situation, he pulls me closer and starts to move to the beat, hands circling my waist.
It’s…nice. But that’s about it. I sway to the music, trying to relax, but I don’t get that fluttering dizzy sensation, that warmth under my skin, that makes it feel like if I don’t get closer to him I could die. The feeling of wanting him to explore every inch of my body. It just doesn’t feel like it does with…them. Like the way Alec and I danced together at the charity ball.
My breath hitches, the memory of that night so clear in my mind.
Alec pressing you against Ash as he explored your mouth.
Feeling Ash harden behind you while sweeping the hair off your neck, gently encouraging you to let Alec have his way.
And then…when you went upstairs, they laid you in front of that mirror and…
Between my legs, I throb, suddenly wet, suddenly wanting more.
Not only that, but I’ve started to sway deep into Seamus’s arms, thoughts of Ash and Alec pushing me closer to him. My face is nuzzled into his shoulder, and when I look up, I can tell Seamus thinks this is about us. His eyes are half-lidded, fixed on my lips, his body rolling against mine. Before I can stop him, he moves a hand from my waist and gently cups my cheek, running a thumb across my bottom lip before lowering his mouth to mine for a kiss.
In any other world, it would be romantic. It would be what every girl wants—an attractive foreignman who can dance, waiting for the perfect moment to kiss her.
But I feel nothing.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. I do feel his tongue slowly running along the seam of my mouth, patiently requesting I part and let him all the way in.
And I can’t do it.
I pull back, shifting away from him.
“Sydney?” Seamus’s hands drop away. “I’m sorry, did I misread the moment?”
“No. You didn’t do anything wrong, I just…” I swallow, my heart caught in my throat. “Can we go back to the table? Please?”
Something passes over his face, a mix of surprise and concern. “Yeah, of course.”
God, this is humiliating. I wrap my arms around myself as we push our way through the crowd, back to our booth, wishing I could disappear.
When I get close enough to spot Jade, I immediately notice the panic in her eyes.
And she’s not alone.
I half expected to come back to find Jade and Sienna entwined in the corner of our booth, skirting the laws of public indecency. Instead, I find a terrified-looking Jade, a wary, uncomfortable Sienna, and seated next to them…
Sebastian and Viper.
Sebastian takes up a wide portion of the booth, his arms spread out on either side of him, eyes locking on me from the moment I see him, watching as we approach. Next to him, Viper leans forward eagerly, elbows on the table, a manic look in his eyes. There’s a knife standing straight up in front of him, the tip buried in the wood, and Sienna keeps glancing at it nervously.
“Hello, Sydney. We were just talking about you.” Sebastian’s eyes roll over me slowly before he moves his gaze over to Seamus. His jaw flexes, eyes darkening behind his glasses.
“What are you two doing here?” My voice trembles nervously, but I can’t help it. Viper beinganywheremakes me nervous, especially here, right now.
He’s not smiling. Viper’s face is cold, eyes merciless.
“I could ask you the same thing.” Sebastian says the words to me, but his eyes stay locked on Seamus. “You see, this isourclub. So, imagine our surprise when we saw your face pop up on the security system.”
I swallow hard. I had no idea they owned this club. I just knew it was new and there was a lot of excitement about the opening. When Seamus had volunteered it as the venue for our first date, I hadn’t questioned it.
Fuck. My date.
“Seamus, this, uh… This is Sebastian. And that’s Viper.” I point to them as if Seamus couldn’t see them there. Even seated and relaxed, they emanate danger, command presence. Jade shoots me a surprised look.This is Viper?she mouths at me.
“Nice to meet you.” Seamus grins at them, nothing but polite. He steps forward, holding out his hand for Sebastian to shake, clearly seeing him as the lesser threat. “How do you two know Sydney?”
