Page 1 of Piece By Piece

Chapter 1

Aliena

My eyes are closed. My hips are swaying. My head is tilted back against the broad chest of the man behind me.

His hands are on my hips, holding me without restricting my movements like he knows I like. I’m dancing, I’m leading, and we’re both getting something out of it. Me, the comfort of being held and the validation of his attraction. Him, well, the kind of dancing that could pass as a lap dance from one hell of a woman.

The loud music and pounding beat warm my blood, intoxicating me like no drink or drug ever could. I can feel it in my veins, that familiar hum that I crave. This is me. The music, the parties, the hands on me. This is where I’m free.

The fingers splayed on my hips give me a little squeeze and Mattheo’s head comes down next to the side of mine. “I’m sorry, Seduttrice, I can never keep up with you. What do you say we take a small break?” he asks, pushing my messy hair over my shoulder so he can speak into my ear. I enjoy the way his words brush against my skin, letting the sensation add to the warm bundle of feelings inside me. Then I turn to him with a smile, take his hand, and nod.

He easily pushes past the crowd of dancing people, towering over them all and finding his way to the base of the stairs without a problem. Meanwhile, little old me has tododge two elbows in the course of the short trip to avoid a bloody nose. Tall men should really have a separate section on the dancefloor to go crazy because they do not have any special awareness when it comes to anything below their chin.

The security guy making sure no one gets to the second floor of the apartment without permission barely glances at Mattheo before stepping aside for us. Another perk of keeping company with the host’s best friend.

As we climb the stairs, I watch the dancing strangers below through the glass railing, smiling since I know I’ll be back among them in no time. It’s not often that I’m away from the dancing crowd.

Mattheo and I walk into the private room on the second floor, heading for one of the black leather couches assembled in a sort of circle. Our friends and some people I know in passing are already seated there, nursing their drinks and talking in the blue glow of the LEDs above.

When Lilianne sees us, her flushed face lights up. “Aly!” she exclaims, clumsily freeing herself of her boyfriend’s hold to greet me with a tight hug. As if we hadn’t come here together a few hours ago.

“You were gone for so long! I missed you!” she announces, her words drawn out and slurred. Her grubby hands come up to cup my face, as if to hold it in place when it’s really her swaying. I bite back a grin as she turns to my friend. “You need to stop stealing my friend!”

Mattheo laughs and gives her a gentle pat on the arm. “Sweetheart, she is the one always keeping me away. The woman never tires of dancing. Keep her, I need a break and a drink.” He winks at me and walks over to Andrew. I can still hear him ask his friend, “Did you miss me? How comeI’m never greeted that nicely?” over the music before Lily demands my full attention.

“Come, let’s sit down,” she proposes and starts pulling me to the couches without waiting for a reply. Chuckling, I follow her lead. When we sit down on the couch next to the guys’ and I note Andrew’s frown, I elbow Lily gently.

“I think your boyfriend misses you,” I tell her.

“I sure do,” Andrew pipes up, his dimples showing. Once again, I can’t help but notice how handsome he is. Light brown skin, sharp cheekbones, shortly shorn black hair, and dark, friendly eyes. His grin is ever-lasting, and it’s a damn good thing too with my best friend being who she is. Not only is she the most gorgeous, flawless woman I know, but she’s a walking ray of sunshine. It’s good to see her with a man that matches the happy energy she exudes.

Lily throws her arms over me. “You had me for hours now. Enjoy the break, my bestie needs some love too.” Andrew has the grace to chuckle it off, even though I’m sure he doesn’t exactly need a break from her. They’re glued together by the hips most days, a fact both seem very happy with.

“And what have I been giving her for the past hours?” Mattheo demands playfully.

“I don’t know. Probably the tingles and damp underwear,” Lily replies before I can fire anything back. My jaw drops and Mattheo’s laughter booms.

“Christ, Lil!” I mutter, stifling a laugh of my own. Here she is, my shy, introverted, sweet best friend after a drink or two.

My eyes meet Mattheo’s awaiting ones and I’m tempted to stick out my tongue like a child at his raised brow and knowing smile. Idiot.

A guy from a nearby couch pops our little bubble, screaming over the music to be heard across the room. “Eyo! Mat, A, where’s Sebastian? Haven’t seen him all night. I wanted to thank him for putting me on the VIP list,” he explains loudly, throwing his head back to get his blond hair out of his eyes.

Andrew shrugs dismissively. “He’s out tonight.”

“Ditching his own party? The lucky lady must be a dream in bed, then,” the blond adds, grinning crookedly.

Mattheo is still watching me but now, I avert my eyes. I have no reason to, there is absolutely no sense in me feeling my mood dim or for the small kernel of guilt or jealousy to appear in my gut. Sebastian is out with a girl as always. I’m enjoying a party as always.

I’m aware of Mattheo’s movements as he gets off the couch and heads to the bar. On the way, he stops next to me, puts a hand on my shoulder to get me to look at him, and asks, “You want something too? It’s important to stay hydrated if we’re going go back downstairs in a minute.”

I smile gratefully. This is why I love this guy; he can read me like a book and is smart in the way he cheers me up. He sees my mood dims and asks me to dance. Problem eviscerated. I’m easy that way.

“I’ll take whatever you get,” I tell him. Usually, I stay sober at parties, at all other times even more so, but a drink every now and again isn’t off-limits in my book.

Mattheo comes back with our drinks, hands me one before reclaiming his seat. Our group picks up where we left off with our banter like we were never interrupted. Then, when my drink is finally empty, I get to my feet and force the Italian to come back downstairs so we can get moving.

We return to our earlier spot amidst the crowd downstairs, where I’m fast to resume my dancing. I grindagainst Mattheo, not caring for the heat or the sweat slicking the back of my neck. Then I turn around and throw my arms around his neck. As well as that works with our eight-inch height difference. He holds me close, swaying along to the music with me while shooting me his signature grin.

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