Page 21 of Veiled

I raise a brow, but my hand is sliding into his before I realize what I’m doing.

Turning away from the bar, drink completely forgotten, he leads me to a spot in the middle of the crowd, and pulls me into him. Unlike every other guy who has danced with me tonight, he doesn’t take position against my backside. Instead, I’m facing him, his hand solid on my lower back. Not too low, not too hard, just enough to feel slightly possessive.

My hands move on instinct, squeezing the solid curve of his biceps, the tight black t-shirt only accentuating how easily he fills it. I slide up over his shoulders and lace my fingers at the back of his neck, drawing him closer as he does the same, closing the last inch of space between us. His leg slips between mine, and I sway against him.

His free hand caresses up and down my side, applying a little more pressure as his hand glides over my ribs and under my breasts.

“Are you always this smooth?” I ask, desperate to distract myself before I start moaning right here on the dance floor and ruin everything. Between working to cover bills, getting arrested, and spending a few months in jail, I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a man's hands on me like this.

He lowers his mouth closer to my ear, “Only when I really want something.”

I try to laugh at the cheesiness, but the sound comes out breathless, even to me.

Get yourself together, Annalise!

“Careful,” I whisper back, my fingertips skimming along the sensitive spot below his ear. “Keep talking like that, and I might let you show me exactly what you have in mind.”

His answering grin is slow, mischievous, and entirely too inviting.

His hand leaves my side, igniting every nerve as he brushes his fingers up the curve of my throat until they find their way to my chin. Agonizingly slow, he tilts my face up to the perfect angle as he leans down and kisses me, still swaying to the beat.

He’s gentle at first, his lips brushing against mine as he tastes and teases. He’s delicious and intoxicating—easier to get drunk on than any alcohol in this bar. His tongue gently glides along my lip, and I open for him immediately. Heat builds between my legs, and I kiss him back with a need unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

I’m lost in him, in his every kiss. When his hands drift down to my plump ass as he squeezes, I imagine him doing that while he thrusts into me. A low moan falls from my mouth, unbidden, but I need this more than I care to admit.

I’m rewarded by the deep sound that rumbles from his throat before he consumes me.

The patrons, the music, the staff—all fade away.

I match his pace, refusing to let him set it alone. One hand tangled in his hair, the other pressed against the hard lines of his chest, I feel the way his heart races with the same heated anticipation mine is.

His hands continue to roam with a possessive ease, and I can feel how hard his cock is as it presses against my stomach. Desperate to hear his response again, I lean harder into him, increasing the friction he must be feeling with each sway of my body against his.

“Thank you all so much for hanging out with us tonight,” the lead singer starts, abruptly pulling us back to our surroundings as he begins introducing his bandmates.

Our lips slowly part, and I take the first full breath in what feels like forever as he rests his forehead against mine, breath warm against my cheek.

“What’s your name?” I ask, a little embarrassed because somehow, we’ve gotten this far without even the most basic of introductions.

He huffs a soft laugh. “You first, beautiful.”

Still a little dazed, my answer comes out in a sigh, “Annalise.”

“Annalise,” he repeats reverently. “I’m Aiden,” he whispers against my lips, kissing me despite the crowd we’re surrounded by.

“Want to get out of here?” I can barely breathe as I wait for him to answer.

“I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

“I’m up at the academy. Do you live around here?” Clearly, my desire to take this further has clouded my self-preservation instincts if I’m willing to go home with a stranger. If the Sheriff could see me now.

“I’m at Scion too. I need to let my buddies know I’m taking off, and I’m guessing you need to do the same?”

“Definitely!”

“Okay, take your time. I’ll wait for you by the door until you’re ready.”

I nod as his finger lifts my chin again and he pulls me back into another kiss. “Maybe don’t take too long.”