Page 5 of Leave Me Behind
My new dance partner instantly responds by moving in rhythm to my hips. He buries his fingertips into my waist as we sway; his breath becomes heavier with each beat of music. I forget myself for a moment, letting my back fall against hard muscle and enjoying the sweep of cologne that fills my nose.
I glance back over to where Bradshaw is, but he’s gone. The boner grinding into my ass has me not too concerned, but I don’t have to wonder where he went for long.
“Hey, what are you doing?” the man behind me shouts furiously. His body parts from mine quickly and the cold air instantly makes me sour.
The music is loud, pulsating my heart for me at this point. I turn and find Bradshaw shoving the guy I was dancing with to the side. He looks like he wants to push Bradshaw back, but he takes one look at that intimidating build and settles with cursing and walking back through the crowd.
I scowl and shout, “What’s your problem?”
Bradshaw snaps his attention back to me with the same coldness, but there’s a tinge of interest there now. “You’re here withus.” He speaks for the first time and for a second everything else is silent. His voice is loud in my head even though he didn’t shout. I want to hear it again.
I swallow and decide to just drop it, unsure of what exactly his intentions are.
The next song comes booming in, a remixed version of “Summertime Sadness”by Lana Del Rey. As I resume dancing, I keep my eyes locked with Bradshaw’s. His icy gaze flickers with the flashing lights. His nostrils flare and his jaw flexes.
I turn to avoid his heavy stare, letting my body find the rhythm again.God, I hope Eren hurries with those drinks.
Calloused hands slide over my hips. I don’t need to turn around to know they belong to Bradshaw. They’re hard and demanding, as stiff as he appears, yet more sensual than any I’ve ever known. Maybe it’s the malice behind them. The intensity of his grip. Heat floods through my entire body as he sinks his fingers into my flesh.
My traitorous body instinctively melts into the hardened planes of his chest. I’m pleasantly surprised with the muscles Ifeel beneath his hoodie. Is he in the military like his brother? I grind my ass into him and grin when I find him hard.
He keeps one hand on my moving hips while dipping a finger beneath my shirt, brushing the skin of my stomach as if asking permission. My smile is starting to hurt from this exchange. I slide my hand down to his and push it up a bit more so he knows I’m good with him exploring.
Bradshaw chuckles darkly, almost not loud enough for me to hear. It’s a sound so voracious that I have to squeeze my thighs together to keep the urgent sensation in check.
Holy shit. Who is this guy?
two
. . .
Nell
I losemyself in these short moments with him. Dancing like our bodies have known each other for years. His scent rolls over me and I breathe it in. He smells like a crisp forest—in the morning, before the mist settles.
His mouth comes to my shoulder and I bite my lip against the thoughts that thrum through my head.Fuck him, it’s your last night for God knows how long.
At the start of the next song, Eren reappears with two drinks in hand. He grins mischievously at the both of us. I’m surprised he looks entertained with us dancing together rather than jealous. I stop dancing and embarrassment spreads across my cheeks.
Eren hands me the canned spritzer, unopened as promised, and takes a long sip from his can before shouting, “You’ve gotBradshawout here dancing with you? Damn, what did you do grab his dick or something?” Bradshaw doesn’t laugh. Neither do I. Eren laughs at his own joke on our behalf.
“You’re okay with us dancing together? I was kind of?—”
Eren cuts me off, “All cards on the table, I was hoping you two would hook up tonight.” He shoots me a sly grin.Why does that make me feel used?I was supposed to be the one using him. His brows pull together as he sees worry clouding my eyes. “He has a hard time with women… you know, because he’s an asshole. I thought you two might get along.” He says it so innocently I can’t possibly be irked. Not when they share the same lovely face. Why should I care what lies beneath that?
“No shit. He should try not being such a creep,” I shoot back. Bradshaw’s fingers dig into my hips with the comment. I look up over my shoulder at him. He flicks his eyes down to mine briefly, his intentions unreadable, before looking back at his brother.
I was after Eren initially, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t more interested in Bradshaw. He has secrets and demons hiding behind that soulless expression he wears. Something damaged and broken being kept from view.
A sigh leaves my lips as I crack my spritzer open and gulp it down. Bradshaw moves to stand beside his brother as they exchange a few words. I can’t make out what they’re saying over the booming music, though. Then they look with bewilderment at the empty can I’m crushing between my hands.
“What? Expected me to sip on it?” I refuse to feel embarrassed about my drinking skills.
Eren laughs then slaps his hand on Bradshaw’s back. “You two go ahead and get out of here. I’m sure I won’t be far behind.” He winks at us. My blood pounds loudly in my ears as make eye contact with Bradshaw.
“Get out of here?” I ask no one in particular. The one-night stand I wanted is looking promising, but with the psycho brother instead of the guy I thought it would be with.
Bradshaw gives his brother a nod and Eren presses a kiss to my forehead before waving us off.Wait.Bradshaw guides me tothe club entrance, where the music isn’t as loud, before I start to slow.
