Page 21 of Never Going to Care

She spins and I wrap my other arm around her, making sure she stays in place, right with me. I look down into her eyes, captivated by them. They look darker in the low lighting as they reflect the flashing lights, but it’s like I can still see them clearly.

I want to kiss her, but I don’t want to scare her off either. It’s hard as hell to refrain, but her body pressed against mine is going to have to be enough. For now.

The way her body relaxes as if the tension she’s been holding falls away makes my heart pound in my chest. When her eyes close and she sinks into me, I hazard a glance around us. Landon has Piper in his arms and Ella is being sandwiched between her men. Blaze looks stiff as fuck, but then again, so does Stella. She does look relieved though and that’s enough.

When I look down at Celeste again, her eyes are open and studying me.

We let the music lead us as we dance, staring at each other, and the rest of the club seems to melt away. I’d be a damn liar if I said I didn’t want this to last forever. My fingers flex possessively against where I’m holding her body.

It seems to snap her back to reality because she takes a step away from me. As much as I hate her putting any distance between us, I know I can’t hold her if she doesn’t want it. The next thing I know, she’s grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the hallway where the bathrooms are.

I let her because I’m curious as fuck to find out where this is going. If I wanted to dig my heels in and not move, it wouldn’t be difficult for me to pull off. I have almost a foot in height on her, but the heels she’s wearing cuts it down a little. Not much.

My eyes wander down her body and my dick starts to leak. She’s sexy as fuck and I’m momentarily hypnotized by the way her hips sway. I know how silky the fabric of her dress is and I can only imagine her skin would be even better.

I want to grip her hips from behind and fuck her like I own her.

Because I do.

When we’re in the hallway, the music fades enough that we don’t need to raise our voices like we did before. She huffs and drops my hand, rounding on me as her hands slam down on her hips. Sexy as fuck.

“What are you doing here? Why is Landon here? This is Piper’s bachelorette party,” there are flames licking at me because of the heat in her voice.

I scoff, “Like you didn’t know we were going to show up.”

Her eyes narrow, but I can see the way she’s trying to hide her smile. “I figured Ella’s guys and Landon would show up. You still haven’t explained whyyou’rehere.”

I grin at her and shrug one shoulder casually before leaning against the wall. “Why do you think I’m here?”

She gapes at me, her mouth hanging open, for a moment before she gets herself back under control. “I don’t know,” there’s confusion in her tone and in the way her eyebrows furrow together.

I step toward her, and she takes a step back. The predator in me wants the chase, craves it, but the man in me hates the idea that she’s scared of me. I need her to trust me, it need for it pulses beneath my skin.

I reach out and grip her shoulder softly, turning her enough to press her back against the wall. “Starlight,” I groan as I press my body against hers, “if you don’t know, then I’m going to show you.”

She blinks up at me, her eyes big and round. Before she can say anything, I press my lips to hers softly and the feeling of connection zings through my body in a way I’ve never felt before. She gasps and then her arms are wrapping around my shoulders as much as she can, pulling me tighter against her body.

I plunge my tongue into her mouth and deepen the kiss, tasting her and reveling in it. I could kiss her forever. Only when we both need to breathe do I release her lips and everything in me is screaming to move in again. I desperately want to, but I can’t.

I can see in her eyes that she needs some time to process. I don’t blame her, I just figured it all out tonight.

“Come on, Celeste,” I kiss her forehead before gripping her hand, “let’s check on everyone and then get you home.”

She nods mutely, her eyes glazed over while her body is supple and relaxed. I barely stop myself from smirking.

I’ll get her home and let her go tonight. The next time I see her, I don’t think I’ll have the same ability. She has no idea I’m coming for her.

It’ll make it so much sweeter when I catch her, convince her she can trust me and sweep her off her feet.

My Starlight.

CHAPTER 8

CELESTE

I’m pretty sure I can still feel the way Hale’s lips felt against mine. It’s like he branded me with one kiss. How is it even possible? Not like it matters. Not today anyway.

Today is the day Piper is getting married and I’m damn thrilled for her. I’m also surprised we were able to pull everything off so well. It might not be a wedding fit for a queen, not quite anyway, but it’s perfect for her and that was my only goal.

---