Page 122 of Before Dawn

“Thank you, Red,” I said, warmth spreading at her surprise. “I started to worry when you weren’t responding, but consider me surprised.”

She smiled, eyes softening as she rested a hand over mine. “I didn’t mean to worry you,” she murmured, her voice a soothing melody. “I kept going back and forth, then Azzaria called with a plan, and… here I am.”

Her gaze flickered to my neck, and her smile deepened. “You really do wear it all the time.”

I shifted my collar, giving her a better view of the chain, then held up my wrist to show her the bracelet. “Of course I do, baby.”

Her fingers brushed over the fine silver, a quiet reverence in her touch, before her eyes lifted back to mine.

“I can’t get over how amazing you look. This dress, your face, your hair, your body…” I trailed off, unable to contain my admiration as my hand instinctively found her hips, drawing her closer.

“Don’t move your hands,” she whispered, her breath hot against my ear as she leaned into me. “I like them right there.”

Fuck.

I kissed her, our lips colliding in a fiery embrace. Hands roamed, bodies pressing together as she tangled her fingers in my hair, pulling me closer. The taste of her was intoxicating, each kiss deeper than the last. She melted into me, perfectly in sync, until footsteps broke the spell. Reluctantly, I pulled away, struggling to ground myself.

“Mikkel Suarez,” a familiar voice broke through the haze of desire, and I turned to see Alex standing there in his burgundy tuxedo, a sheepish grin on his face.

Frustration flickered, but I quickly composed myself, though the warmth of the kiss remained on my lips.

“Alexander Williams,” I replied, my voice slightly strained as I tore my gaze away from Abigail’s and turned to face him.

“You gonna introduce me, Suarez?” He asked, walking closer to us.

“Alex, this is Abigail. Abigail, this is Alex,” I introduced, trying to maintain a composed demeanor.

“Ah!” he remarked, his eyes lighting up. “The famous Abigail I hear so much about.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she chimed in, her cheeks flushed with color as she attempted to regain her composure.

“You’ve got my brother in a tailspin,” Alex remarked with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I’d say you added color to his rather bland world, but I’m not a poet, I’m a pilot.” He turned to me. “I came to check on you since I heard you were taking a breather about thirty minutes ago.”

“I’m good.”

“Oh, I can definitely see that,” Alex said with a knowing grin. “Let’s get inside. Dillon’s going to speak soon.”

With a resigned sigh, I reluctantly tore myself away from Abigail.

“You okay,mi amor?” I asked, and she nodded, leaning in to kiss me again.

“I’ll see you inside,” she said, and I watched as she swayed her hips while walking ahead of us.

Alex’s unrestrained curiosity couldn’t be ignored. “You two f–”

“No,” I replied, trying to deflect his probing. “Andneverask me that again.”

“You could’ve fooled me,” Alex joked, his tone lighthearted.

“Whatever.”

We made our way to the table, and I quickly scanned the room. Everyone from our group was present, except Dillon and Azzaria. Before I could ask where they were, Ronan leaned in, his voice low and casual. “They just stepped out to meet donors and Azzaria told us to keep an eye on her friend, Abigail.”

I leaned closer to Ronan. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

He raised an eyebrow, but followed me without question as I stepped away from the group.

“What’s up?” He crossed his arms, his usual cool and collected demeanor in place.

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