Page 10 of Queen of Shadows and Roses
Around us, conversations rose and fell, laughter mingling with the pulse of the music. I downed another three drinks, humming absently along, until movement drew my gaze back to the beautiful stranger.
‘So, Sephy, would you care to dance?’ the gorgeous weirdo asked.
‘No.’ I beamed at him sweetly. His eyes flashed again with that enthralling silver hue. ‘I don’t even know your name, but you seem to know me. How is that possible?’ I squinted at him.
‘I’ve heard of you,’ he said, a secretive smile playing on his lips. As his gaze flicked to Tee, her lips thinned, and she glared at him. He turned back to me. ‘You can call me Zee.’ As he spoke, the chatter around us stuttered into silence, every eye in the VIP group ping-ponging between us.
‘So—’ he extended a hand, smooth as sin, ‘do you want to dance or not?’
‘Still a no. Come on, Tee, let’s get another drink.’ I stood, tipped back the rest of my daiquiri in one gulp, and set down the glass. ‘Nice to meet you, Zee.’
I turned—then pivoted back, smiling brightly. ‘Oh, and a word of advice? Next time you approach a strange woman, dial down the stalker vibes. It’s not a good look.’
He clenched his jaw and eyeballed me as his guests gasped.
‘Laters!’ I spun on my heel and strode for the bar without bothering to see if Tee followed. Catching Matt’s eye, I lifted a finger for another drink. Two minutes later, it was in my hand.
‘You alright, Sephy?’ Matt lowered his brow.
‘Yeah,’ I replied, downing another lime daiquiri. ‘I’m freaking fabulous.’ A moment later, the rum slammed into my brain with the force of a freight train, leaving me feeling buzzed.I needed to dance.
‘Hey, Matt!’ I screeched. ‘Look after my bag.’ I tossed it at him, and he caught it effortlessly. I pushed my way to the dance floor, my synapses bouncing to the music.
Dancing was freedom, and I craved that freedom. The music felt like a drug—an energising drug that made my mind hum with pure joy, and as I moved to the beat, I felt as though my soul would shine so brightly my skin would glow. Scents swirled around me, blending together like mist in the air, and I was completely lost.
I didn’t know how long I’d been dancing—long enough for my muscles to ache—when a pair of strong arms wrappedaround me from behind. Instincts flared, my hand flying toward my blade, but a larger hand caught mine, dragging my arms across my body, just beneath my breasts.
He held me tight, tugging me flush against him, my ass pressed firmly against the hard line of his body. It was undoubtedly a ‘him’—I felt him pressing hard against my back. He wanted me… no freaking question.
I hesitated, my battle instincts screaming… but then the pulse of rum and music drowned them out. I surrendered to a feeling of desire so strong my knees nearly buckled.
‘Go with it, Sephy,’ I whispered to myself, leaning back into his solid chest and breathing in that heady, earthy scent. Whoever this man was, he felt good. Sinfully good.
‘Sephy!’ Tee’s hand clamped around mine, jolting me. I stumbled and spun to face her—she was right behind me on the dance floor.
My mysterious man was gone.
Had I imagined him? Maybe. The buzzing haze in my head made it all too easy to conjure one of the tall, dark, dangerous heroes from my books. Honestly, that was fine. They were more dependable than real men, anyway.
‘Tee!’ I giggled like a dork. ‘We need more drinks!’
‘Sephy, come on.’ Tee’s tone was tight, but I was far too buzzed to care. By the time I staggered to the bar, I was properly hammered. She pressed a pink drink into my hand.
‘Oh. Pretty!’ I slurred, grinning at the glass. Tee shut her eyes briefly, her expression pinched. ‘What’s wrong, Tee?’
‘Drink up, Sephy. I love you. I really do.’
‘I love you more!’ I laughed, wobbling as she steadied me. I lifted my glass in a sloppy salute. ‘Cin-cin!’ Then I tipped the whole thing back, gulping it down.
‘And Sephy… I’m sorry.’
‘What for?’ I frowned as my eyes met hers.
Then everything went black.
I awoke groaningand feeling groggy, a hand clutching my head. ‘Ugh. I’m never drinking again,’ I muttered. My poor head was pounding. I peeled my eyes open and sat up in one swift motion.
What the hell?’ Purple and gold paint adorned the room, but there were no windows.
