Page 24 of Running Winter

I wasn’t alone in watching her either, but she wasn’t concerned with anyone else. Her eyes were locked on me, and she sent me a smile that I knew was entirely mine.

Despite my lack of skill in the dancing department, I was suddenly up with her, my hands on her waist as she moved, her hands laced around my neck. I've barely spoken a word to this girl bar text messages, and here I was dancing with her like it was natural.

She smelled faintly of peaches, and I couldn't help but tug her closer to me, so her body was flush against mine. I was aware people were watching us now, but I was beyond caring.

"You need to relax, Chase," she murmured, her voice close to my ear. "Don't just be a pretty face."

"You don't know anything about me," I countered, enjoying the feeling of her in my arms way too much.

"Let me think." Heather cooed, pulling her head back to gaze at me. "You're a senior, about to leave school. You're probably on the football team, and you smash it in all of your classes."

I watched her silently as her gaze moved to my lips before she blushed slightly.

"I bet you're popular with the ladies, despite the fact you're quiet."

"Anything else?" I asked gruffly.

My hand lifted to stroke her hair away from her face. I allowed my finger to drag along her jaw, stopping just below her earlobe.

"You are amazing to cuddle," she whispered, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Well, you're kind of right," I exhaled, turning her around and lacing my fingers with hers.

Her breathing increased when I studied her, as though I was having quite the effect on her.

"I'm a senior, and I'm leaving school very soon."

Heather frowned then, waiting for me to continue.

"And?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

I guided her to a booth in the corner of the room, and a waiter soon appeared to take our drink order. I turned my attention back to her and smiled.

"That's all you got right," I shrugged. "My cousin is the quarterback for our school team, and he is also incredibly intelligent. He has women falling at his feet, and I've heard he is amazing to cuddle."

The waiter placed our drinks on the table, yet we didn't break eye contact.

"Your cousin may be all of those things, but it's you I'm interested in," Heather said, lifting her drink to her lips.

"Well, in that case, I have to tell you I don't do this often."

"Do what?" Heather asked, a curious smile on her face.

"Sit in dark corners with beautiful girls.” I grinned.

"You saved me the other night. Who knows what might've happened if you weren't there."

Her eyes dropped then, and I reached over, my fingers lacing with hers.

"I'm sorry, I thought you'd set me up. I just didn't understand why you would kiss your cousin." I shrugged. "I mean, I love mine to death, but I wouldn't go that far."

Heather laughed then, and my stomach tightened. She was so fucking beautiful it was becoming hard to concentrate.

"Sam is like my mom's childhood best friend's son. So we grew up together, and I refer to him as my cousin," she explained. "He is a bit protective—"

"Can't blame him," I said, my thumb stroking hers softly.

Heather bit her lip then, and I had to look away, trying desperately to remain decent. My memories of the other night were hazy, but I remembered how I had barely touched her despite her cuddling up to me.

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