Page 77 of Tomorrow Belongs to Us
She tells me he's a catch, and she swats me playfully, asking why I've kept him a secret to myself for so long. Then she tells me about her relationship, and I listen, then commiserate when she tells me about her breakup which happened last month.
A warm hand rests on my shoulder, and fingers gently knead my bare shoulders. The nerve endings in my body crackle with anticipation. But when I look up, my disappointment crashes over me to find Preston staring down at me.
“Come and dance.” He offers his hand. “Sorry for interrupting,” he tosses over his shoulder to Mara. We’re both sitting, and he’s rudely inserted himself in the space between us.
My insides harden at the offer.
“You’re so rude,” Mara retorts.
“Sorry.” He winks at her. “I’m taking my chances while I can.”
I try not to wrinkle my face up too much, but the thought of dancing with Preston, especially to this slow, smoochy song, makes me want to retch. I look back at our table, but Lance is no longer there. I gaze around quickly, needing to find him.
“Come.” Preston takes my hand.
I want to go home. Now.
“I'm not ... I'm not feeling up to it ...” I start to tell him, but he doesn't like my answer.
“It's just a dance.”
“I believe she's taken.” The scent of familiar cologne tells me I am safe. Lance is here by my side. My body softens.
Preston attempts a light laugh. “I asked first.”
“She’s clearly not interested.” Lance is so confident, so assured, that he doesn’t even look at Preston. His eyes are on me. “Care to dance?” His is the hand I take, willingly, gladly.
I would never have a slow dance with anyone at a company event, but this is Lance, and this is my last event here. A slow song plays as we walk onto the dance floor and his hands slide around my waist. I inhale a shaky breath. His touch makes my insides freefall, and my heart turns soft and liquid. Goosebumps pop up all over my skin.
“Cold?” he asks.
I shake my head. He has no idea of what he does to me. How much he makes me want him. “Not cold.”
“I was never going to let Preston dance with you.”
Joy shoots through me. “Possessive Alpha,” I retort, feeling ecstatic. He’s jealous.
“Call me what you want. You don't like him. I don't like him. I don't want you to do things you don't like.”
“Thank you for rescuing me … again.”
“Any time.” His gaze settles on my lips and his fingers wreak havoc with my skin. His nearness is intoxicating.
I place my arms around his neck and fall into the thrum of excitement which zips between our bodies. I’m in a happy place; somewhere I haven’t been for a long time. My body starts to heat up, blood pools to my nether regions. I feel a tingle in my breasts. All this just because Lance is holding me close.
Chapter 29
LANCE
Why did I ask her to dance?
I didn't want her to dance with that prick and I could tell from her face she didn't want to dance with him, either.
But now I find myself in a precarious predicament. All evening I’ve tried to remain cool, I’ve tried to avoid making body contact, and yet here I am. Doing all the things I wasn't supposed to do, like holding her in my arms and staring at her as if she’s coming home with me and to my bed. As if she’s mine.
All it takes is just the brush of her body against mine and the sparks fly between us. She looks up at me through thick lashes, and I can’t stop my gaze drifting to her lips. She has the most luscious lips. They make me want her even more desperately.
I want her. I did then, and I do now.
