“Are you lost in thought?” he finally asked, his steps carrying them to the drum’s steady cadence.
“I’m happy,” she breathed, “truly happy.”
He felt her smile, and he pulled her tighter, the smile overcoming everything as he glided her through the dance. She leaned into him, relinquishing herself to his guidance. He braced her hip and spun her to the steady increase of the beating drum before tugging her back once more. His hand fit perfectly along her waist, conforming to her curves.Her chest met his, and her heartbeat fluttered against him.
What if he left with her?
“Amaris,” he breathed.
She gazed up at him, her eyes lost in a cloudy haze. She was striking, utterly beautiful. His lips curled into a smile at the sight of her wide grin and that single-dimple imprint on her cheek. She sank into him, her body growing heavier in his arms. His brow furrowed, and he gazed into her dilated pupils. She was drunk.
His hands clutched her waist, and he led her out into the hall. They passed small gatherings of people scattered about, but most everyone was in the throne room having an extraordinary night. She squinted against the dull lights emanating from the candles they passed. He assessed her balance, carefully guiding her through the manor.
“Where are we going?” She grinned, leaning against his arm.
“We’re going to get you some water and bread,” he whispered back, trying not to let his anxiety show.
She wasn’t in a state to think properly, let alone continue dancing. He opened the door to the kitchen, but she pulled from his grasp and stumbled through the door, giggling to herself. He reached out, picking her up and setting her on the counter. Her brows rose, and her eyes flared.
“Viv was the only one who used to do this for me,” she said while he scavenged the cupboards for some bread. Ms. Borstad would have made extra loaves for the occasion. “She once sat with me on the bathroom floor for an entire night while I puked my guts out.”
“She sounds like a true friend.” Theo filled a glass of water and returned to her side with a small chunk of sourdough bread.
“She is.”
She swayed as she reached for the glass, but he grasped her hand instead, pulling it to the counter. The pads of her fingers drew soft circles under his palm. He brought the cup to her lips, praying it would aid in sobering her and shifting his focus from her hand caressing his own. Thishad been reckless. She’d known she was supposed to have only one drink.
She took a sip, slurping the liquid as a shimmering smile gleamed in her eyes. Pulling back, she bit those rose-tinted lips. A drop spilled down her chin. His hand mindlessly grasped her jaw, wiping it away.
“Do you love her?”
“Who?”
She grabbed the lapels of his coat, tugging him closer. He gripped the counter to keep from falling into her chest.
“Helen.”
Theo raised a curious brow, and a small laugh escaped. “We’re simply friends.”
Her eyes softened. She curled her fingers deeper into the fabric and pulled him closer, planting a kiss upon his lips. Water spilled from the cup in his hand as she released his jacket and shoved him away.
A smirk grazed her lips. “Good.”
His chest burst into a thousand scorching suns. His eyes drifted to her lips then back to those sparkling blue eyes. He discarded the water cup and caressed her jaw, their lips meeting. A gasp escaped her, but her hand slid into his hair. It wasn’t a short peck or one of a deep longing. It was ravenous. She toyed with the strands behind his ear, pulling at his mask’s string to discard it on the floor.
He tipped her head, kissing her deeper, needing to taste that sweet scent of vanilla and wanting to wrap himself in it. She nibbled his lip, a groan rumbling in his chest. She tossed her head back and guided him to the slender curve of her neck. He should’ve been attempting to sober her, not tracing his lips over her skin, but he couldn’t help it. He didn’t want to help it. He wanted to take her thrumming pulse between his teeth.
He trailed along her jaw, brushing her ear with the tip of his nose, releasing a warm breath. She wrapped her legs around his torso, pinning him against the counter. His cock throbbed for her, but he sucked and kissed along her neck, savoring the small moans escaping her.
He paused, his chest panting. “Amaris,” he breathed, “why…what…?” His mind was jumbled with every thought, but he couldn’t string together a simple sentence with her hands wrapped in his hair.
“I wanted to know what it was like.”
“And?” he gasped through a shaky breath.
“I don’t want to leave.”
His heart stuttered. “Then don’t.”
