Page 123 of Exposed

“Anyway,” Tanner said. “Now that you’re all here…the promenade can officially begin.” He snapped his fingers, but the lights just dimmed this time instead of going out completely. And the lions roared. “We’re all at table one. Let’s eat, drink, and be merry.”

***

Matt twirled me around and then dipped me backward.

I’d forgotten how good Matt was at dancing. I remembered his homecoming float performance so vividly, but he’d purposely embarrassed himself on that for me.

He kissed between my breasts and I laughed. He pulled me back up, pressing me against his chest. We started slow dancing even though the music was still up-tempo.

I reached up, running my fingers through is hair. “Remember our one dance at homecoming?”

“I remember you dancing with everyone else but me. And me getting very drunk staring at you from the corner. But you know I don’t really remember our dance because I drank too much. I mostly remember the stuff you told me I said afterward.”

I laughed. “Like how you used to jerk off all the time to me?”

“Hmm. It’s present tense, baby. I still jerk off all the time to you.”

“Not for the past week you haven’t. Because I’ve been here.” I stared into his eyes.

“And you’re as insatiable as me.” He dropped his forehead to mine.

We’d slowed even more. We were barely dancing anymore, just standing in the middle of the dance floor holding each other.

“How early is too early to sneak off?” I asked.

He groaned. But he didn’t get a chance to respond, because Mason tapped his shoulder.

“Mind if I steal her for a second?” Mason turned to me. “I’m pretty sure I’m the only Untouchable that never got a chance to dance with you at homecoming.” He put his hand out for me. “You owe me, sis.”

I laughed and slipped my hand into his. The music had actually slowed down, so I put my hands on his shoulders and his fell to my waist.

“My dad would probably be so happy to see us dancing,” I said. I’d said it jokingly, but my smile faltered thinking about my dad.Maybe I should call him back…Maybe it would make the ticking in my head stop.

“Yeah, I’m definitely the better brother.”

I laughed.

“But I think we both know you’re perfect for Matt. I just wanted to steal you for a minute to say thank you. For coming back to us.”

I nodded. Even though it hadn’t really been my choice. Staying had been though. And I was going to stay. I needed Matt the same way he needed me. We were happier together.

“Am I also the only Untouchable that didn’t kiss you?”

I stared at him. “I’m actually only two for four. And I plan on keeping it that way.”

Mason smiled. “I’m not trying to step on Matt’s toes, I was just curious. But I am surprised that Rob never put one on you. I thought for sure he had.”

“No, definitely not.”

“Well, don’t be offended that I didn’t. I probably would have if Matt hadn’t called dibs on you so fast. I’ve always had a thing for blondes.”

“I definitely wasn’t offended.” Kissing Matt and James had proved complicated enough. I looked over at Bee who was dancing with Tanner. I was glad that the only way we resembled each other was our blonde hair, or I probably would have been a little weirded out. But dating a doppelganger of me was more of Nigel’s thing. “I really like Bee.”

“That makes two of us.”

I laughed. “A blonde girl from Delaware though. Really?”

“Eh. What can I say? I missed you more than I realized. Meeting her kind of felt like…home.”

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