Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
“No, I think you’re right,” I say, pulling her out onto the floor in the middle of the crowd. “Let’s give them a show.”
I could see the excitement in her eyes when she brought me over here, and I couldn’t stand to see that light dim. Something inside me wants to keep that flame alight and as I wrap my arms around her waist and twirl her, I can see it shining bright.
We dance through four songs before Willow is gasping for breath and laughing uncontrollably. I don’t realize it at first, but my cheeks are aching from smiling so much. Watching her pure happiness has been my own pleasure, and I don’t want it to stop.
I stand there as the song changes to something slow. Somewhere onstage a woman begins to sing “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” I catch sight of my mother on the edge of the dance floor. She raises her hand slightly to me, and I nod in acknowledgement. She looks beautiful tonight, and the way she’s watching us makes me think she’s been there for quite some time.
Willow brings her hands to my chest as she looks into my eyes. Her smile softens into something more serious. I place one hand at the small of her back and with the other I trace her cheek.
“You’re different than I expected,” I say, and it’s the truth. Her eyebrows draw together in question. “I mean that I had this all planned out. Everything. It was all set down to the dotted line. But then you walked in.”
She’s silent for a moment then reaches up to touch my bottom lip. “Then you walked in,” she says back to me.
“I don’t know what the rules are anymore,” I admit. “And I’m not sure I want any.”
She shrugs and leans up on her tiptoes and whispers, “Isn’t it more fun to break them?”
I move my hand to the back of her neck and lean down so my lips are just a breath from hers. “Careful what you ask for.”
When my lips connect with hers, the music and crowd fade away. My grip on her hair tightens as my hand on her lower back moves even lower to cup her ass. I feel her fingers on the nape of my neck as her mouth opens on a gasp and my tongue sweeps in. She tastes like sweetness from the drink she had earlier, and something warm. Something addicting that’s all her own flavor and I want to devour it. Right there in the middle of the dance floor I maul her like a mountain lion that’s just pounced on a juicy doe. Instead of remembering where I am, and that I’m surrounded by dozens of watchful eyes, I kiss Willow like it’s the last time I’ll kiss her. Like the world is about to end and the only thing that can save it is my mouth on hers.
I don’t know how much time passes before I hear someone loudly clear their throat beside us. I angrily pull my mouth from Willow’s and hold her close to my chest as I notice my mother standing next to us. It’s then I notice everyone is staring, and though I’m happy everyone can see that she’s mine, this might not be the best place to make love to her.
The music changes and an upbeat song begins as my mother pats me on the shoulder and walks away. There’s a mysterious smile in her eyes, but I choose to ignore it. Right now, my focus is on getting Willow out of here.
I pull out my phone while I wrap my arm around her and move to the edge of the dance floor. The crowd that was watching us goes back to watching the other dancers on the floor as I wait for a text back from my driver.
“Damn it,” I mutter as I read his reply and scan the room.
“What’s wrong?” Willow asks, and I tug her to the other side of the room.
“The car is stuck in valet. It will probably be another twenty minutes before he can get us.”
“We’re leaving already?” Disappointment is clear in her voice.
“No,” is all I say in response.
When we reach the end of a dark hallway, I find a side door and enter it. I glance around the dark room and see it’s a small library. Pulling Willow in behind me, I close the door and flip the lock.
“I can’t wait that long,” I say, pressing her against the door and going down to my knees in front of her. “I’ve got to taste you.”
“Dane? Are you serious?” There’s mild panic in her voice, but she isn’t trying to stop me.
“How many layers of this goddamn stuff is there?” I say, trying to push the frothy material out of my way.