Page 26 of A Winding Wave of Magic
“You’re a really good dancer!” he yelled, leaning in to be heard above the music.
It wasn’t true, but I blushed anyway. I had a decent sense of rhythm, but I was too clumsy to be called a good dancer.
“Thanks, so are you!” I called back.
He smiled, a bit too confidently. Then, before I could dodge it, he snaked an arm around my waist.
I jerked but calmed when I realized my leather jacket and sweater were still mostly doing their jobs, even with the added effects of alcohol. The desire coursing through Alex’s touch was reasonably muted. Nothing was coherent, and his attraction wasn’t unpleasant.
In fact, it felt pretty good.
As if on cue, the Bandits launched into a ballad, and I allowed Alex to pull me close enough his chest touched mine. I relaxed a bit more, to the point where a few of Alex’s conscious thoughts began to articulate, scattered and unfocused as they were. He wanted another beer. This song was kind of slow. He wondered if the pool table was going to open up tonight.
Eventually, his thoughts settled on me, ruminating on my scent and the fact that I was obviously fit. He wanted to get laid but wasn’t overtly thinking about it yet. And even then, as I enjoyed the unconscious stream of compliments, I wasn’t sure if I minded. Maybe I wanted the same thing too.
Maybe I wanted to do more than exist in books and watch from the edges of crowds. Maybe I wanted to be in a crowd for once without being afraid of losing my sanity.
Maybe I wanted to live.
“You’re really pretty,” he repeated for the fourth time, although it was the first out loud. “Your eyes aresoblue.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
His gaze dropped to my mouth. I didn’t need his hands on my back to know what he wanted, but it was interesting to See that desire paired alongside his insecurity.Will she let me kiss her?he was wondering.How does she like it? Mouth open or closed? A lot of tongue or a little? Should I?—
I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.
“Alex,” I said softly, wishing he could read my mind back. “Just make your move.”Before I lose my nerve, I almost added.
That overconfident smile made another appearance. “No problem.”
I braced myself as he leaned in for a kiss, fully aware that bracing wasn’t exactly normal behavior between two consenting adults, but also aware that I couldn’t very well do any differently.
Maybe this time would be different.
Maybe this time I’d finally be able to relax and enjoy myself.
Maybe not.
As soon as his lips touched mine, his overall attraction was infiltrated by a steely jolt of lust—not a problem in and of itself until his conscious thoughts caught up, wondering what exactly he would have to do to get me into bed. Almost immediately, images of myself in compromising positions reeled through his thoughts and into mine, each more graphic than the next. A plan was quickly hatching. How many more drinks I’d need to be conscious but pliant. How hard it would be to get me away from my friend for the night.
I pulled away, my desire a ghost. Alex was no longer the cute guy with soft lips. He was as manipulative and shallow as the rest of them.
“Cassandra? You okay?”
Alex was staring at me with his brows furrowed, arms still firmly about my waist.Hope this doesn’t blow my chances…I really need to get some ass tonight.
It was as if he had spoken aloud.
I stepped out of reach and just barely avoided bumping into someone else. The music blared, and the scents of sweat and alcohol felt as heavy as an impending rainstorm. “You know, I’m not feeling that great.”
“Oh, bummer. Let’s get you back to the bar and get you a glass of water or something.”
Over his shoulder, I spotted Reina in deep seduction mode with the pair of glasses from earlier. There was no way I was interrupting that now. Most likely I wouldn’t see her until we left in the morning.
Alex reached for me, and reflexively, I took another step back. “You know, I think I’m just going to go home.”
His brow screwed up. “Really? Okay, well, can I help you?—”
