Page 170 of Dance of Defiance
Evie was five when our mom died.
She grins. “When life gives you lemons…”
“Make lemonade,” we finish together.
I wink and tap my glass to hers. “Thanks, Evie.”
She squeezes my hand. “Any time. You sure you’re okay?”
Nope.
“I’m great.”
She nods. “Well, I won’t interrupt your date. But Rome?” She eyes the drink in my hand. “Go easy?”
“Always.”
She goes back over where she was talking to Dove. Anna slides next to me, giggling and talking about—again—I have no fucking clue what. I ignore her and bring my glass to my lips, taking a deep slug and bringing my gaze back to Val.
Suddenly, he turns. His face swivels my way, and when he sees me, he suddenly freezes. So do I, still ignoring whatever the fuck Anna is saying as she wraps herself around my arm. My eyes lock with Val’s, and I shiver when I see the way his jaw grinds.
Fuck, why is he so goddamn attractive? Why does he have to be so fucking magnetic?
His gaze drags over me, making my skin sizzle. The icy blue glint in his eyes flashes at me, and suddenly, I can’t breathe. Can’t think. Or rather, can’t think about anything except him, touching me, kissing me, swallowing me.
Fucking me until I beg for more.
I squeeze my eyes shut.
This needs to stop.
But when I open my eyes, he’s still there. Still ignoring the brunette on his lap. Still staring at me.
Igniting me.
Melting me.
Turning me the fuck on.
“Ooooh, baby!”
I flinch when Anna squeals in my ear. Her hand drops to my lap, and my attention rips from Val to her when she squeezes the bulge there.
“Someone’shardfor me…”
Before I can open my mouth to say “you couldn’t be more wrong”, she’s crawling into my lap and straddling me.
I scowl, gritting my teeth. “Stop it,” I growl.
She giggles. “Why, baby?” She grins. “Someone obviously wants?—”
“Mysisteris here,” I grunt, grabbing her hips and trying to slide her off me without causing a scene.
She grins. “Mm, sounds kinky.”
What the literal fuck.
I stare at her. “The hell is wrong with you?”
