Page 50 of Cursed
A burst of short red hair caught my attention several couples over. She inhabited the arms of a bulky guy who might’ve been the football team’s quarterback—I wasn’t sure since I didn’t keep up with sports. She smiled, laughed, then swatted his chest as she batted her eyes.
As if she could sense my stare, she turned in my direction and gave a thumbs-up.
I lifted my hand in a wave.
She gave Cain’s back a pointed look and raised an eyebrow.
Rolling my eyes and grinning, I turned toward Cain. “So, you never told me what classes you’re in.”
He curled his fingers around my wrist and placed my hand on his shoulder, then pulled me closer.
Underneath his immaculate suit, I felt a tremor shake his muscles.Is he scared of me, or is it something else?He certainly didn’t look scared. As a matter of fact, his lips curved in a faint smile as he watched me, never taking his attention from my face.
The weight of his palm on the small of my back, hot and heavy, felt good, like it belonged there, as if it wasmeantto be there.
“I’m not in any classes. I’m”—he dipped his head closer, leaning down and putting his mouth half an inch from mine—“on assignment.” His breath, sweet and minty, caressed my cheeks.
“Assignment? Are you a TA or a professor?” A moment of panic flared in my chest.If he’s a teacher, this is expressly forbidden.
“No, I am not a professor.” His pelvis brushed mine.
“Does your assignment involve thievery?” I teased as I pursed my lips and swayed with the music.
A dark light flashed in his pupils, and his lips flattened.
“I’m kidding, Cain, though I am still a little crusty over my necklace, but you’re forgiven because you rescued me from my ex.” I rubbed at the collar of his suit, tracing the small silver button’s delicate engraved swirls. “And because you brought it back.”
He stilled for a moment. “I didn’t ask for your forgiveness.”
“So? You don’t have to ask for it to still receive it.” I slid my arm back in place around his shoulder and used my other hand to grip his hot, callused palm. “Are we going to dance or what?”
A soft chuckle rolled from his mouth, and those tempting, full lips curled into a bright smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman so lovely and intriguing as you.”
“You must not get out much, then.” Heat rushed up my neck and settled in my cheeks. “But thank you.” His compliment made my heart soar. Even if he’d said it to be nice, I couldn’t help but enjoy his attentions.
Something thick and palpable lay between us, binding us together.Does he feel it, too?Not only attraction, but something deeper, like I could almost reach out and pluck the thoughts from his head. A gentle tug pulling me toward him.
He released my hand and slid both palms up my arms to rest loosely around my neck, our bodies still touching.
For a moment, I closed my eyes and breathed him in.
One hand slid to the back of my head, and he threaded his fingers through my hair, probably messing up the elaborate hairstyle Tara had created, but I couldn’t care less.
Cain might’ve been a tad on the shady side and a terrible thief, but I could never deny he didn’t affect me on some primal, passionate level. I wanted to know everything about him.
Opening my eyes, I met his bright stare. “Cain, what are you really doing here?”
“Enough talk.” His lips claimed mine, and I melted into a hot ball of passion.
I gasped, and the entire world fell away as I clung to him. He was the only person grounding me to the floor, the only person who made sense, the only person who mattered.
He tasted of spearmint and smelled of dark, expensive cologne. His mask scraped my cheek as he angled his head, deepening the kiss and moving his fingers to my throat, tightening his hold and power over me.
I let out a moan, drowning in his touch, taste, and scent. Being this close, I felt safe and secure in his arms, as if nothing would or could hurt me.
“Hey, get the fuck away from my girl.”
Someone clamped a cold hand on my upper arm and jerked me out of Cain’s embrace. Brian’s reddened face broke the spell. His eyes, glassy and wild, lasered onto my date.
