Page 130 of A Whisper of Cinders

The first seconds feel a little awkward, but thankfully no one’s staring. Neo appears in front of me, takes my hand and makes me do a pirouette. I laugh, throwing my head back as she dips me low and in that moment, I understand what Ami said.

I stop thinking about it and live in the moment, letting the music hum through me and feel the vibrations of the base. When the beat slows and my moves become more sensual, I move my hips in a slow circle and when I bring my arms up high, I am not surprised that I feel cool hands holding my burning palms.

They turn me around and with a strong arm at the curve of my back, Aramis brings me to the ground and moves me upward in one fluent movement so I am flush against his chest.

My hands land on his chest, the material of his white shirt so thin I don’t need my imagination to know how taught his muscles are. “Dammit, gorgeous, you’re killing me. You look stunning.”

Still not used to receiving compliments I laugh and continue dancing and I’m surprised I’m not catching fire where we stand.

He makes me do half a turn so my back is against his chest. Something hard presses into my rear. For a second, I think it might be his belt, but when I feel rather than hear a low rumble coming from him, I’m certain I feel his arousal. The thought alone makes my core clench and I start to move against him, feeling how we move perfectly in sync.

He nuzzles my neck, softly sinking his teeth in the soft flesh near my shoulder — not yet breaking the skin — and places a kiss right on the same spot.

I throw my head back, giving him better access, because I want it all. And more. His fingers dig into my hips and he turns me around, pressing his lips onto mine.

My fingers tangle in his hair and his hands roam over my body. I need him everywhere. But it’s still Aramis we’re talking about, so he remains ever the gentleman.

I don’t know for how long we go on like this, but eventually his forehead brushes against mine and he tells me he will be back in a second.

My lips still tingle and my body burns with a desire even stronger than when I drank the nectar. I will have to find some release or I might set this whole place on fire.

“You certainly have mastered dancing by now, Maily. And with my brother none the less.”

My mouth drops open and embarrassment is starting to replace the heat, but only slightly. “I’m —"

Ami holds my hands and squeezes. “Dear moons, sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I was just kidding. I’m happy to see you’re having so much fun. In the end, that is what this is all about.”

Fun.

I can have fun.

The other part of my fun is standing across from the courtyard and as if he’s sensing my attention, maybe feeling the same tug near his heart as I do, Conláeds burning gaze finds mine, still in fae form and looking unfairly handsome in his all-black attire. It should really be a crime to look as good as he does.

Without giving it a second thought, I move towards him. He is all I see. For a split second I think he might reject me. I fear that all the things I’ve felt for him — feelings I don’t fully understand — are only felt by me.

But as he leaves his group of friends behind and walks towards me, stretching out his hand to pull me close instantly, I am certain I did not imagine things.

We stand there, in the middle of the crowded courtyard and I reach out my hand towards his cheek, the little muscle there pops as he clenches his cheek and he puts his hands on my waist.

“Dance with me, feather,” he whispers in my ear and we start to move together. I’ve never been this close to him before, not in this way at least. In combat, yes, but this is fully voluntary.

I feel like a nervous little deer around him, the confidence I felt moments ago evaporating with every second. Maybe I should get a drink and I start turning away when —

“Don’t,” he suddenly says. “Stay. Please.”

He guides one of my hands towards the back of his neck, while the other is placed on his bare chest. His thigh is between my legs and we move perfectly in sync. I am not surprised when sparks fly around us, his eyes glow a golden red, pointed fae ears visible through his curls.

“And still, you’re the only one I see as a fae all the time.”

My words seem to surprise him, but he hides it away quickly, pulling me even closer. I move my hands from his bare, golden chest one smooth movement towards the back of his neck.

“You don’t even realise what you’re doing to me, do you?” He says the words so silently I barely miss them. Maybe I wasn’t meant to hear them.

And I don’t realise it, not really. But his eyes fall to my lips, down to my neck and lower, until he closes them as if it’s too much to bear. And when his eyes open again, I see he is holding back his power.

“Conláed? Are you —”

A soft kiss is pressed against my neck, at the same spot where I saw Conláed's eyes linger. But it’s not his mouth that is on me.