His blue eyes widened, pupils dilated with desire and something that looked like nervousness. “You do?”
Instead of answering, I captured his lips in a kiss. It started soft, gentle, but within seconds it deepened into something hungry and demanding. My tongue slid against his, tasting the sweetness that was Ash through and through. His hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer even though there was already no space between us.
I felt his shadows surge around us, felt the electric current that always sparked when we touched like this. The silver cuffs on his wrists grew warm where they pressed against my chest, but they held. His magic swirled and pulsed but didn’t explode outward.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, I realized the music had changed again. Something faster, more intense. But I couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Can we go somewhere?” Ash asked, his voice rough with want. “Private?”
Gods, I wanted to say yes. I wanted to drag him upstairs and claim him properly, make him scream my name until everyone in this house knew exactly who he belonged to. But we’d barely been here ten minutes.
“Soon,” I promised, pressing my forehead against his. “But Karrick will give me shit if we disappear too quickly.”
“I don’t care what Karrick thinks,” Ash said, but I could see the flush spreading across his cheeks, the way his eyes kept darting to the people around us.
“You’re not ready to leave yet,” I said gently. “You wanted to experience a normal college party, remember?”
He bit his lip, and I watched the internal struggle play out on his face. Finally, he nodded. “You’re right. I just... you make it really hard to think straight.”
“Good,” I grinned, stealing another quick kiss. “Come on, let’s get those drinks Karrick mentioned. Maybe some liquid courage will help you relax. Then we can grind more on the dancefloor and make everyone jealous.”
We made our way back to where Karrick and Phoenix were standing near a table loaded with red cups and various bottles. Karrick was in the middle of telling some elaborate story that had Phoenix laughing so hard tears streamed down his face.
“—and then the goose literally ate the wand!” Karrick finished, and Phoenix dissolved into another fit of giggles.
“Ugh… that story again?” I asked, reaching for two cups of the jungle juice. “Don’t you have anything new, Karrick?”
“That one is a classic!” he shot back, slopping his drink as he gesticulated. “Everyone laughs at that one!”
“Now if only you’d tell it ten fewer times at every party we go to.”
Karrick just waved me off, taking another swig of his drink. “You love it and you know it.”
I handed Ash one of the cups and watched as he took a cautious sip. His face immediately scrunched up in disgust.
“Oh god, what’s in this?” he coughed, staring at the red liquid like it had personally offended him.
“Everything,” Phoenix supplied helpfully. “Literally everything. Vodka, rum, tequila, fruit juice, and probably some things that aren’t legal.”
“It’s an acquired taste,” I admitted, taking a drink from my own cup. It burned going down, but in a familiar way. I’d had this particular concoction more times than I could count.
Ash took another tentative sip, his face contorting again. “I think I’ll stick with water.”
“Lightweight,” Karrick teased, but his tone was good-natured.
“I’ve never really drunk before,” Ash admitted, setting the cup down on the table. “Now I’m starting to wonder why any of you do.”
“It’s just… what you do at a party,” Karrick replied, taking another swig of his drink.
“Ignore him,” I said, pulling him close. “You don’t have to drink if you don’t want to.”
“Thanks,” he smiled up at me, and I felt that familiar warmth spread through my chest. I really was completely gone for this guy.
A new song started playing, something with a heavy bass that made the floor vibrate. Around us, people were getting more animated, the alcohol clearly starting to hit. I watched as a group of fae girls stumbled past, giggling and clinging to each other, their wings shimmering in the dim light.
Karrick and Phoenix linked hands and drifted away to dance, leaving us alone by the drink table. I watched them for a moment, the way Karrick’s massive form moved with surprising grace, how Phoenix looked up at him with such obvious adoration. They made it look so easy, being together. Like there weren’t a thousand obstacles in their way.
I wished it could be that simple for us.
