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She was looking for me…
She seemed to sense my eyes on her because her gaze raised to the balcony, landing on me.
Jesus Christ.
She was so beautiful I could barely breathe.
Every time I saw her was like the first time all over again.
My eyes trailed her body from head to toe. She was swathed in a strapless, black velvet dress. The material flooded down her body, but all my eyes could focus on was the slit that ran from the top of her thigh to the floor, exposing precious inches of her skin.
My mouth went dry as I gripped the balcony and my blood ran hot, scalding my veins.
The eruption of need that swept through me drowned out all rational thought… all of the reasons Ishouldcapture her and put her on a plane… all of the reasons Ishouldn’tgo to her and take her in my arms.
My feet moved of their own volition, sweeping down the staircase to where she stood at the base. Her wary eyes followed me all the way down, never leaving me.
Never leaving me…
Don’t leave me, Cait…
I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let her go. I couldn’tmakeher go.
“Nice party,” she murmured politely when I reached her, her eyes finally dropping away. She tensed, as if she were bracing for an impact. Like she was waiting for my awfulness to smash into her like a truck.
I knew I needed to push her away, but I just couldn’t.
“You look incredible,” I said softly instead. She did… I didn’t think I’d ever seen anyone as beautiful as her.
“Uh, thanks.” She shot me a confused look. Of course, she was confused… I was confused. A few hours ago, I’d basically threatened her into leaving, and now…
She raised her hand to smooth out her hair that was pulled up into an effortless looking twist, several strands curling around her face. As she did, a movement on her wrist caught my eye.
The bracelet.
She was still wearing it.
The new charm I’d added swayed as she fussed with her hair. Perhaps she hadn’t understood the meaning behind the little silver suitcase.
Her hand dropped away, drawing my eyes to her chest. The dress barely contained her breasts, which made me furious, and as I glanced up, I noticed several of the men surrounding us had their eyes on her.
“Dance with me,” I demanded, thrusting my hand out to her. A few couples had already begun swaying to the music, but the floor was mostly empty. I didn’t care though, I just wanted her close.
Her brows pinched together as she tried to figure me out. She opened her mouth to argue with me, but I stepped closer to her.
“Please, Clover,” I breathed, turning my best charming look on her. It seemed to work, because she placed a hesitant hand in mine and let me lead her to the dancefloor.
She was stiff as a board next to me as she waited for the other shoe to drop.
Not right now. The white flag is up, Cait.
I pulled her into my arms, inhaling a deep breath as she fit easily against me. It had always disturbed me how easy it was to breathe around her… like all I’d been doing was breathing in dirty, smoggy city air, and then I’d moved out to the country.
“I don’t understand, Aidan,” she whispered. I glanced down at her, but she was looking anywhere but at me. “I don’t know what you want from me.”
I sighed, my hand sliding down to the small of her back to press her closer to me. I didn’t miss the little hitch in her breath when her hips met mine.
“I just want you to be safe, Cait,” I confessed, leaning down and letting my nose meet her temple.
