Page 33 of Knot Your Pucking Mate
My heart almost stops when she says yes. Relief floods through me, followed by a surge of adrenaline. I wasn’t sure how this idea would go down. Whether she would appreciate a redo or if it would bring up the poor memories from the first time I was supposed to take her to prom.
It might not have been my fault, but I am the reason her prom wasn’t what it should have been.
And I missed out, too.
This is our chance to make this a night to remember. To erase some of the hurt of the past and choose each other.
My gaze moves to Axel, who nods and places a kiss on Mandy’s cheek.
“Have a great night, Mally,” he whispers in her ear.
“You’re leaving?”
“I am. This is between the two of you. We have plenty of time to make pack memories in the future.”
Her cheeks flush, and she nods, letting go of his hand and turning back to me.
I hope Axel knows how grateful I am to him. His stoic, positive attitude has been exactly what I’ve needed these past few weeks. Without him, I’m not sure I’d ever have been able to see a way forward in love.
But fate clearly had other plans.
The limo pulls away with Axel inside it, leaving Mandy and me alone.
“Thank you for the dress,” she says with a shy smile. “It’s stunning.”
“I’d have to agree,” I say, offering her my hand. She takes it willingly, and I lead her inside. “Though, I think that has more to do with the woman wearing it than the dress itself.”
The rosy flush that colors her cheeks is sweet and alluring. Combined with her chocolate marshmallow scent, it’s a recipe for seduction. She doesn’t know how long I’ve been waiting to have her in my arms again. Or how I’ve denied myself any form of sexual intimacy with another, hoping I’d find her again one day.
“Chase,” she starts in a whisper as we enter the old house and make a left into the ballroom. “Did you do this?”
I nod as I watch her drink in the room. There’s an overwhelmingly ridiculous amount of lilacs scattered around the room. They’re the only flower I wanted as they’ve always been Mandy’s favorite.
The rest of the room is decorated in purple and silver hues, complete with a dance floor, a photo booth and a table with a pair of crowns. Just inside the grand room is a small table of refreshments, and I lead Mandy there as her eyes continue to take in the room.
“Do you like it?” I ask, handing her a glass of fruit punch. She takes a couple of steps forward and spins in a slow circle, taking everything in again before facing me once more.
“Like it?” she says breathlessly. “I love it. I can’t believe you went to this much trouble for me.”
“Why shouldn’t I go to this much trouble for you? You’re worth it.” I ask, taking a gulp of my punch and feeling the warmth of the vodka as it flows down my throat.
She blushes again and takes a sip of her punch in an attempt to hide it. She must not be expecting it to be as strong as it is because she coughs a little after swallowing.
“You spiked it?” she asks, her eyes watering slightly.
“I did. Wanted you to have an authentic experience after all.”
She laughs, the sound like music to my ears and causing a grin to split across my face. She takes another sip, polishing off her glass before placing it back on the table. I follow her lead and do the same. On the table is a small remote and I reach for it, pressing the button that instantly has music pouring from the speakers—a playlist I put together myself of songs that remind me of her.
The lights dim and a disco ball descends, creating the perfect prom-like atmosphere.
“Mandy Paine, would you do the honor of dancing with me?” I hold out my hand to her, and she takes it without hesitation.
Pulling her into my body, I place my free hand on her hip as we move toward the center of the dance floor.
“I didn’t organize a band,” I admit as she rests her head on my chest, my chin resting on the top of her head, breathing in the sweet, addictive scent of her as we move in slow circles together. “I wanted it to be special, just you and me. Is that okay?”
“It’s perfect, Chase.” She lifts her head, her blue eyes bright and sparkling as they lock with mine in the dim light. “Thank you.”
