Page 86 of Golden Ruin

Tonight isn’t about us, nor is it the time to bring up what happened between us, but I’m starting to think that’s the only way to put the awkwardness behind us.

I lean closer, thinking we can maybe just step away from everyone for a bit, but I never even get the first word out.

“Wanna dance?”

Lexi and I both glance left at the same time, right into the grin of the dumbass who just interrupted.

Music pulses, filling the dead space where Lexi pauses instead of responding. It’s not a lifetime, but it’s long enough that I notice. Long enough that I know she’s not sure how to answer.

“I–sure,” she finally says, and I don’t even fucking blink as she walks off with this dickhead.

From this angle, I clock the moment he considers putting his hand on her back, then thinks better of it. I should look away, want to look away, but I can’t. Instead, my eyes are glued to them as my grip tightens around my empty glass.

Three songs.

They’re still out there, and I’m not even pretending I’m not watching at this point. This motherfucker keeps pushing up closer, testing to see how much he can get away with. Little does he know, my tolerance for his bullshit is likely far lower than Lexi’s.

My eyes are laser focused where his hands grip her waist, dancing behind her as he stares down her body at what doesn’t belong to him. I shake that thought off because she doesn’t belong to me either, but it sure as hell felt like it the night we nearly lost ourselves on the couch.

I signal the waitress for another drink, and it can’t get here fast enough. But then I only take one sip before setting it down again.

Because I’m officially at my limit.

Lex’s dance partner’s gotten a little too comfortable, grinding on her ass like he’s trying to fuck her right on the dancefloor.

“Sterling.”

I hear one of my brothers calling out to me as I take the first step, but don’t turn to see which one. All I can see or think about is Lexi. This sudden tunnel vision is the reason I don’t even stop to ask myself if this is a bad idea. Who gives a fuck, honestly? I’m done sitting back, watching like this shit isn’t getting under my skin.

“Back… the fuck… off,” I grit out, close to the guy’s ear so he doesn’t mistake that I’m talking to him. He looks stunned, but he seems to see something in my eyes that lets him know this isn’t even remotely a joke.

He glances back a few times before disappearing into the crowd, and Lexi doesn’t even notice he’s gone. She’s moving to the music, eyes closed, letting go.

I didn’t really have a plan beyond getting rid of the guy, but now that I’m standing here, watching her, feeling her without actually feeling her… my feet don’t move when they should. Instead, my hands twitch a little, telling me what I already know. What I’ve always known.

I want to touch her.

Bad.

She takes a step back while she dances, and the space between us disappears. Her body is flush against mine, and without thinking… I slip my hand around her waist and bring her closer.

Her hair brushes against my jaw, and I exhale against her neck. The fabric of her dress gathers in my hand, and that one touch has her body going still in front of me.

She glances over her shoulder, and my name leaves her mouth with a small gasp. “Sterling.”

Purple light glows against her skin, and the sight of this girl has my fucking pulse racing. If I were sane, I would’ve left already, but sane is the last thing I am when it comes to her.

“You should… We…”

Her voice trails off before fully saying what we both know. That I shouldn’t be out here. Not with her. Not touching her like this.

But she can’t seem to get the words out.

Instead, we’re standing here, breathing heavy, still too close to pretend this isn’t what it is. Me, putting it all out there in front of everyone, admitting without words that jealousy just got the best of me.

A look flashes in her eyes, and I already know what she plans to do. Create distance, a safe space where she thinks she can hide.

“You shouldn’t be out here.” She finally gets the words out, but they’re weak, too quiet to convince me that’s what she wants.