Page 80 of Luna's Forgotten Vow

No sign of Soren. Or Eric.

My stomach gives a slow, aching twist. He said he'd be back tonight.

Quinn appears at my side, grin lopsided, mischief glinting in his eyes. "You're stiff, like a fucking statue." He offers his hand with dramatic flair. "Dance with me before you turn to stone."

I laugh despite myself, taking his hand. "Fine. But if you step on my toes, I'll gut you."

He twirls me once, then sweeps me into the rhythm of the music, lighthearted and fast. Soon, Bryan joins in, cutting between us with the worst steps I've ever seen, and I can't stop laughing.

For a few minutes, I let myself be. I dance. I laugh, let the music carry me.

I catch my father and Miranda watching from the sidelines, a small smile hidden behind his glass. He raises it and I wave wordlessly, happily.

A familiar line of fire runs a path down my spine and I turn. But I don't see him. I could've sworn I felt him staring.

He still isn't here.

I grab a glass of juice off a tray to quench my thirst and cool off, but a sudden squeal startles the shit out of me, making the juice splash on my dress. "Fina!"

"Shit. I'm sorry," Lilia says, eyes wide with horror as she takes in the mess. She grabs a kerchief from her pocket, dabbing at the floral white. "Shit," she swears again. The color won't come out. It looks like a huge map of yellowish-pink on the small pouch I've got.

I shake my head. "It's fine. I'll go change." Lie. I'm going up to bed and never coming down here again. I'm going to bawl my eyes out for the rest of the evening.

Her eyes shine with remorse and I let myself look at her. I haven't seen her in months. Not since my trip to Manhattan with her six months ago. Her eyes are covered in dark, smoky makeup, making the gray in them pop. She wears her hair short, stopping short of her chin, and it makes her look years younger.

She hadn't bothered with an expensive dress, wearing a two-piece navy blue suit without sleeves, paired with the most corporate set of heels I've ever seen on her. She must have come straight from work. "You look hot."

She blushes, tucking her perfectly straightened hair behind her ear. "You think so?"

"Yes."

But the response doesn't come from me.

We both turn and my heart skips at the sight of green eyes. Lighter. Eric's here. That means...I look around him, disappointed when I don't find Soren.

"He'll run a little late," Eric says, leaning forward to kiss Lilia and me on our cheeks. On the former, his eyes linger, hunger entering them as his gaze devours every dip and curve. Goddess. If I have to stand between them, I might roast.

I step away, excusing myself, but they hardly notice or respond.

"I got you something, Fina. I'll bring them to your bedroom!" Lilia yells over the crowd, voice almost getting lost in a room of many. I nod in response, swiping down at the stain on my dress.

A wonderful night I'm having.

I find my way to the house, scowling as I climb the stairs slowly, my heels loud in the silence. Running late. Insufferable man.

My room greets me with a sliver of light beneath the door, though I remember turning it off.

The moment I twist the doorknob, the scent of winter and spice wraps around me, catching my breath.

He's there, sitting in my bed like it belongs to him. His coat hangs off the rack. His tie is wrapped around his fist and his shirt is completely undone. "Hey."

"You had better start explaining," I choke out, ignoring the flex of his toned biceps. Goddess, he is so handsome.

He leans back, green eyes shining with mischief. "You wore that for me?"

He distracts me efficiently and I look down at the pretty little gown that comes down mid-thigh. The low cut neck cups my breasts delicately, my cleavage particularly juicy tonight. My legs look good, long, sexy. I shrug. "Didn't think you would come."

But he's still staring at my legs. His eyes eat me up, from my toes in the brown wedge sandals to my nipples hardening through the material, rising to meet my eyes. And down. His Adam's apple bobs, and he seems to wrestle with himself before saying, "I got tipped off about Tova's location."

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