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I press my lips together. The problem is, it might be our best strategy, but not one we can enact without risking her. Harper throws her head back and laughs at something her friend says. My heart feels heavy in my chest. I don’t know how to protect her from this. But I need to.

Somehow, we need to find a way to keep Zach from taking her but still make it so he gets in too much trouble for anyone to sweep it under the rug. There has to be a solution, but it keeps eluding me. My job is to keep her safe, and I need to figure out how before it’s too late.

Harper

We keep dancing into the next song. But after that, it’s another slow song.

“OMG. I have shit to tell you about.” Kenz steps in close, now that the music is soft enough to hear over, but Brandon takes her hand to pull her into his arms. “The videos⁠—”

“You’re mine now, little nympho.” Caden wraps his hands around my waist and draws me back into him and away from Kenz.

She mouths later.

Whatever it is must not be time sensitive or she wouldn’t have let Brandon pull her away. Caden draws me against him, making me forget everything but how good it feels to be in his arms. His cinnamon scent plays havoc with my desire. It’s hard to put my hands around his neck when he stands straight given our height difference, so I rest them on his shoulders. His muscles flex beneath my hands.

“Are you having a good time?” His voice is gruff as he watches my face carefully.

I grin. Even knowing something could happen at any moment, tonight has been fantastic. “The best.”

He chuckles, and his thumb rubs my bare back above my dress. A shiver rolls through me to settle into an ache between my legs.

“I was hoping you weren’t, then I’d have to drag you off to show you an even better time.” Caden smirks.

A smile tugs at my lips. I shake my head even though I want him to make me forget everything. I definitely wouldn’t mind spending a few songs in a closet with Caden, but we still have to get up on stage, and I don’t want to look freshly ravished.

“Don’t act shy, little nympho.” Caden lowers his head so that no one can hear us as we sway to the music. “We could skip the next song. Go to that classroom Luke took you to. I’ll bend you over a desk⁠—”

I put my hand over his mouth and give him wide eyes. “Caden.”

I can feel his grin against my hand. He pulls me in even closer so nothing could slip between us. He nips at my palm, and I draw it back, narrowing my eyes in playful warning.

“You know I’d take care of you.” His green eyes sparkle in the lights, tempting me.

“I don’t want to be ravished at the dance.” When he looks like he might interject, I continue. “Not before the announcement and having to be up on stage. I don’t want stuff running down my leg in front of everyone.”

His darkened gaze drops to my lips, sending a burst of need through me.

“I could come⁠—”

I put my hand over his mouth again. He’s temptation personified. I glance around to make sure no one is eavesdropping on our conversation.

He pulls my hand away and puts it back on his shoulder. When I lift an eyebrow, he says, “I’ll behave. For now.”

Sparks light beneath his warm hands on my bare back as we continue to dance. I glance away from him to help cool my jets.

Penny dances with Will a few feet away. She holds him at arm’s length, but he doesn’t try to draw her closer. Neither of them talk or even make eye contact. He looks off to the left while she looks off to the right. But there’s something about the way his fingers twitch at her waistline, like he wants to pull her closer.

“Who’s captured your attention?” Caden’s voice is right in my ear, dark and delicious. A shiver works through me.

When I turn my head to face him, he doesn’t pull away. His breath caresses my lips and a little thrill shoots through me. I swallow, trying to hold on to my conviction to wait until after the announcements before dragging him off to some dark corner. Maybe with Jack since we’re supposed to go everywhere in pairs.

When I clear my throat, he gives me a knowing look.

“I was just wondering why Will wanted to come to the dance with Penny? She doesn’t want to be with him.”

Caden grunts and looks over at them. He draws me in tighter against him and his hard cock presses against my stomach.

I inhale sharply as desire flows through me, hot and delicious.