Page 52 of Until We Burn
I brace for the falling smile. The sudden excuse to leave. But Uncle Manu’s smile only burns brighter.
“Nice to meet you, Diana. You can call me Manu.”
Uncle Manu leaves the arena with two other adults in tow. I follow behind them before I sneak another glance at Kai. He’s tense and stiff as the reporters wrap up his interview. The moment the cameras are off, his eyes find mine again.
This time, they linger long enough to see my coat part under the cold air drifting into the arena. It reveals traces of my silk, scarlet slip dress. When I first got it, I couldn't stop imagining Kai’s fingers unhitching the straps from my shoulders.
Judging by the way his gaze darkens on my dress, I have a feeling he wants to take it off, too.
CHAPTER 24
KAI
Anticipation buzzes under my skin.
I look for Diana at the Wing and Flame, trying to find a trace of that red dress she was teasing me with before she left the arena.
My fists clench at my sides.
It took everything in me not to storm over to the stands, tear off that dress, and rail her until her moans echoed through the entire arena.
The thought makes me hard, and my fists clench tighter.
“Putain.”
My patience cracks as I push through all the drunk people clogging up the farmhouse deck. Located smack dab in the middle of nowhere, the Heart Meadow Farm is a rustically posh place known for hosting weddings and other special events. That’s why, on the night of October 1st, the wholesome farm is transformed into the notorious Wing and Flame.
“Chug it! Chug it!”
People whoop and holler as our goalie, Jordan, downs a whole bottle of beer around one of the blazing fire pits. The stench of booze mingles with the smoking hot wings being grilled nearby. You can smell the grease as it trails down the stairs, connecting the deck to thebarns. Rows of fairy lights glint over our heads like a canopy. They curtain the main barn house up ahead that’s filled with people dancing.
“There he is!”
Familiar arms ring around my neck. I roll my eyes and shrug Luke off. I can already tell he’s drunk the second I turn around. His glass-blue eyes glimmer brightly, and he has that lazy smile drawing across his lips.
I laugh and wipe at the lipstick mark smearing the edge of his mouth. “You having fun yet?”
“Emilie’s dad is out of town this weekend,” Luke drawls. “The fun is about to begin at her place.”
He sobers up a little to tug me close. “By the way, I heard there’s a secluded tree house suite down by the stables.” Luke sneaks a condom out of his pocket and eases it into my hand with a wink. “Just in case you and Diana decide to go there.”
“Wouldn’t tons of people be using it?”
Luke snorts. “You think anyone here is sober enough to walk through the dark to get there? It’s meant for brides and grooms to sleep there for the wedding night. It’s a perfect getaway for you guys.”
“Dude, I can’t even find her?—”
Familiar laughter suddenly catches my attention.
I look over my shoulder. Across the fire pit, I see Diana dancing with Wallace and his girlfriend Shelby in the barn.
Her coat is gone. Her silky black hair sways freely under the strobe lights. They rove over the sweat on her skin, making her little red dress cling to the subtle curves of her body. My jealousy flares up when I catch a few guys staring at her.
Diana isn’t yours. Even if she agrees to be friends with benefits, that’s all you can be.
Diana spins around. Her gaze collides with mine across the crowd of drunk, oblivious people. Her eyes glimmer. Then, she gives me that slow, wicked little smile only I get to see.
I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to notice her. Diana burns like a star, and she draws me in like gravity. I just want to lose myself in her every chance I get.
