Page 33 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One
His smile fades for a moment at that last part, like he’d do anything to make sure I’m never anxious again. But the crack in his happy composure only lasts for a split second. “Puzzles, you say? And word games? My god, you really are just as much of a nerd as Elliot.”
I clasp my hands behind his neck. “You’re not?”
He shrugs. “School was never my thing. Although after watching Elliot and Rhett over the years, I must say, knowledge really is power. But there are plenty of types of knowledge—book smarts are only one of them.”
What an interesting thing to say.
I’m about to ask what type of knowledge he possesses, but the song comes to a soft end.
“Thank you for the dance, princess.” Oliver squeezes my waist before one of his hands slides into mine. It feels so natural, soright,that it takes me by surprise.
“Do you want more punch?” he asks when we re-join Elliot and Rhett. “Gotta make sure you stay hydrated.”
For the umpteenth time today, my whole body feels like it’s on fire. Because a man offered to get mepunch.“Sure. Thanks, Oliver.”
He grabs my cup from Elliot before disappearing into the crowd. I miss the heat of his hand in mine instantly, but before I can think about it too much, Elliot’s hand has returned to the small of my back.
“Do you normally work weekends, Wren?” he asks.
I shake my head. Perks of being a long-time employee at the shop. It took years to get Saturdays and Sundays off.
As the next song starts, Elliot and Rhett exchange some kind of glance. The meaning is lost on me, but I swear I see a spark of nervousness in Rhett’s eyes. Elliot, however, looks determined. Almost…hopeful?
When Oliver returns with my punch, I sip it slowly. Their eyes all flit to a young woman who hasn’t left the dance floor all night. Her hair flows down her back, flying around as her date twirls her this way and that.
She must be Oliver’s little sister.
I scan the room for Ava, finding her laughing at the refreshments table. She catches my eye and winks, waggling her eyebrows just like she did this morning. I almost choke on my drink.
“You good?”
“Great,” I squeak out in between coughs. Someone takes the drink from my hand as I try to catch my breath.
Goddammit, Ava.
Finally, I clear my throat, and Rhett hands me back my drink silently. I chug it, trying to get rid of the discomfort still lodged in my throat.
When I glance back at Ava, she’s laughing, and she can’t stop watching me. I throw her a middle finger, taking a deep breath.
“That’s your coworker, isn’t it?” Oliver says.
Nodding, I turn so I’m facing away from her. I can’t have another repeat of that incident. “We came together. I’m glad she found someone to spend the night with. I didn’t want her to be lonely.”
“And what about you?” The words come from Rhett. Cool, calm, with his head cocked slightly in interest.
“Me?” My voice is significantly more high-pitched than I meant for it to be.
Oliver elbows him in the chest. “Ignore this one. Wanna dance again?”
I laugh. “Sure.”
He steps toward me, but Rhett grabs him by the back of the neck and hauls him away. Then he tugs me away from Elliot, my small hand clasped in his larger, calloused one, as he leads me to the dance floor.
When he finally turns to face me, that nervous look is back on his face. “Fuck. I don’t actually know how—” He frowns, looking at me like I’m a puzzle he can’t solve. For a second, I’m afraid he’s going to abandon me.
“Just put your hands on my waist.” I guide them, letting them settle above my hips. I rest mine on his chest. “To be honest, I’m not the best dancer, either. But most of the couples around us are kinda just swaying.”
His eyebrows are knit together in concentration, but when he glances around the room, he seems to relax. Everyone else is taking a laid-back approach to dancing, choosing instead to focus on their partners.
