My palms were sweating, so I wiped them on my dress. Val noticed, and he grinned. “Would you like to dance, Princess?” He held his hand out to me again.
I looked at Reve, who was smirking. He nodded his chin slightly, urging me to go, but really what I wanted him to do was save me from this experience. He knew I was a horrible dancer. Every time I danced with him, I would step on his feet.
What was wrong with me? I wasn’t considered shy, but I was acting like I had never interacted with other demons before.
But this wasn’t just another demon. It was my future husband.
I took a deep breath and gave him my hand. He smiled and placed my hand in the crook of his elbow as he led me to the dance floor. This was going to be the worst first impression ever.
Did I want to make a good impression? Perhaps I could use my two left feet to my advantage and scare him off.
“I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into,” I mumbled under my breath. It wasn’t a comment meant for him, more for myself.
He threw his head back and laughed. The smile on his face was so contagious that a smile formed on my own.
“Are you talking about your subpar dancing skills?” One of his hands rested on my hip, and he took my hand in his. We glided across the dance floor. “I’ve heard a few stories about you.”
I scrunched up my nose and kept my eyes on my feet. I did better if I could see where they were. His hand cupped my chin and tilted my head up.
“I don’t want to step on your feet,” I squeaked. Apparently, I’d started caring what this man thought of me.
“You won’t. Trust me.”
Trusting him was a lofty promise, considering we’d just met.
The music picked up tempo, but Val matched it effortlessly, guiding me across the floor with practiced ease. Under his lead, my feet somehow found their rightful places. Not a single toe was crushed.
“I was promised a disaster on the dance floor.” His breath tickled my ear as he pulled me closer. “Either I was misled, or you’re holding back your true talent for stomping on toes.”
A small laugh escaped. “Give it time. My incompetence usually reveals itself after the third song.”
“Then I’ll have to keep you dancing until it shows.” His hand tightened slightly on my waist, the heat of his palm seeping through the fabric of my dress.
Three songs turned into four. Then five. My cheeks flushed from exertion and something else. I caught my mother’s pointed stare from across the room, her eyes narrowed in warning.
“Your mother looks ready to drag you away by your ear.” Val spun me in a graceful turn.
“She’s worried I’ll embarrass the family again. It’s her default expression when I’m involved.”
Val chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest andinto mine. “Tell me about this table-dancing incident I’ve heard so much about. I find myself incredibly curious.”
“Absolutely not.” I felt my face heat further. “Some things should remain mysteries.”
“I do enjoy a good mystery. Though I prefer solving them.”
The music shifted to something slower and more intimate. Val drew me even closer, our bodies nearly flush against each other. I became very aware of his hand on my waist, our palms pressed together, and his thigh occasionally brushing mine.
“You’re not what I expected,” I admitted.
“Is that good or bad?”
“I’m still deciding.”
We moved in silence for a few moments, and I relaxed into his hold. The dread that had been building all evening began to lessen. Perhaps this arrangement wouldn’t be the nightmare I’d imagined.
The song ended, and Val’s hand slid to the small of my back as he guided me away from the dance floor. Instead of returning to Reve, he steered us toward the exit.
He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. My breath hitched as a delicious shiver ran through me.
