In fact, it’s more than that. I’m beingwatched.
The knowledge blossoms over my entire body, tingling and strange and maybe something close to what I was looking for.That isn’t telling me anything about myself, except that maybe Idohave some… odd proclivities. Apparently odd enough it’s caught someone’s attention.
Well, not someone, a man. Ahugeman. His dark blue eyes peruse my body like he’s shopping, and I feel so small… like a deer caught in headlights.
Whatever I was coming here to figure out, whatever I was coming here to feel… I’m not sure this is it. The warmth in my chest is kicking around with a colder sensation—fear? Maybe. Nerves?
I’m not sure anymore.
Worse, I’m so petrified that I can’t move as he steps forward, tilting his head as he does. He isn’t even being rude. He waits for me to make a move, to turn away, to do something… and all I can do is keep staring at him with eyes that I’m sure are the size of dinner plates.
He must take the staring as an invitation because he steps closer. Close enough that if I dropped my gaze, I’d probably be eye level with his nipple.
Close enough that I’m pretty sure I’m going to have a panic attack.
Or maybe I’ll just faint.
“Are you okay?” The question isn’t invasive. Honestly, I probably look like I’mnotokay… but he’s still moving closer to me, and his hand reaches out like he’s planning on touching me. Cupping my face, maybe?
I don’t know, and all I can do is brace myself for it when long fingers wrap around the man’s wrist a few inches from my face.
“He’s fine. He’s with me.”
Oh,no.
Not him.
Anyonebut him.
Chapter
Six
MADDON
My blood boilsas I grasp Gareth’s hand, the same hand that almost cupped Luca’s face like he had that right.
No one had that right.
No one but me.
“Where’s your boy?” I growl as I drop Gareth’s hand and step in front of Luca.
“Home. Didn’t want to come out but gave me permission to play.”
“Not with this one. Now fuck off.”
Gareth frowns, anger flashing in his eyes, but he’s not dumb enough to try me. He knows he’ll be on his ass faster than he can say “good boy.”
Holding his hands up in surrender, he nods and backs away, his eyes flicking down to Luca once more before he turns and walks towards the dance floor.
I watch Gareth’s retreating form for a few seconds more before flicking my gaze down to Luca. His cheeks are flushed pink, his eyes wide, pupils blown.
Stepping close enough to speak in a whisper but not touch him—I don’t think he could handle physical contact with the way he’s trembling—I ask, “Are you alright?”
“I… I’m not supposed to be here?”
My lips twitch, though I don’t let the smile bloom. “Are you asking me?”
