I could possibly even fall in love with her.
Whatever that means.
“You don’t dance?”
I glance over at Alexandria, my gaze meeting hers. The music is loud and she has to shout to be heard. We’re the only ones standing at one of those high cocktail tables, the little glass votive sitting in the middle casting its flickering light on her face. Her eyes seem wider tonight and I blame the makeup. Everything about her is brighter, more intense, more obvious.
Like her beautiful face. Her pretty smile. Her infectious laugh. That sexy body, those long legs that slay me dead every time I look at them. Now she wants to dance. I can see it in her eyes. Hear it in her voice.
I don’t fucking dance. I never have. I was forced when I won homecoming king my senior year but that lasted all of two minutes if that, before I bailed. And that was a slow dance. I can shuffle my feet, hold onto a girl and not humiliate myself. Fast dancing? Hell no.
Shep’s out there making an ass of himself but what else is new? That guy just flat out doesn’t give a shit. I’ve never seen anyone act more ridiculous in my life, yet somehow he always manages to look cool. Everyone loves Shep. He’s the life of the party. The rest of us are just lucky we got invited.
“You should ask Shep to dance with you,” I tell her as I lean over and kiss her soft cheek. “He’ll do it.” Shep and Gabe are the only ones I’d allow to dance with my girl. The other assholes would risk getting their hands chopped off.
“I don’t want to dance with Shep,” she says softly, those big eyes imploring. “I’d rather dance with you.”
Sighing, I search the dance floor, frowning when I spot Gabe and Lucy out there too. Lucy can shake it. I’m not surprised. Gabe looks awkward, all flailing arms and elbows and I barely contain the laugh that wants to escape.
“I’ve never been a good dancer,” I admit, polishing off my Coke. I’ve remained sober tonight since I’m responsible for getting us home. Shep and Gabe both booked rooms at the hotel where the party is being held and I wish I had done the same. At the time they suggested it, I thought it was a stupid idea. Why, I’m not exactly sure.
Maybe because when it comes to this relationship thing, I have no idea what I’m doing half the time.
“How about during a slow song?” she asks, sounding hopeful. I don’t want to let her down. The last thing I ever want to do is crush her spirit. All she’s asking for is a little dance. I can manage that, right?
“Maybe,” I say and the smile on her face was worth my conceding. “Have you had fun?”
“Yes. A lot more than I thought I would.”
Me too. Considering I hadn’t been around much for the last year, hardly anyone paid me any mind, which was fine with me. I introduced Alexandria to them and not one guy made a rude comment. Not a one.
Well, Shep did but that’s because he’s a dick. He actually wanted to start something. But no one gave him the reaction he was looking for so he gave up. Well, that and Jade made him stop before he took it too far.
Thank God.
“Want to go soon?” I suggest, hoping she’ll say yes.
She tucks her arm around mine and leans her head on my shoulder. “After our dance, I’ll be ready.”
Sighing, I turn my head and press a kiss to her temple. “Just one slow dance, okay? And then we’re out. I want to get you home and all to myself.”
“Okay.” Her voice is as soft as her smile and I reach out to touch her, draw my thumb across her bottom lip. I can’t not touch her—she’s become an addiction I don’t want to shake.
The song ends. A slow one begins and she grabs hold of my arm, dragging me out onto the dance floor. I take her into my arms and she loops hers around my neck, leaning back so she can smile up at me. She looks so pretty, so pleased with herself for convincing me to get out on the dance floor with her. This is nothing short of a miracle so she better enjoy it while she can.
I twirl her around, making her gasp, making her laugh and as we pass by a swaying Shep and Jade, he gapes at me like I’ve grown two heads.
“You’re a great dancer,” Alexandria says breathlessly when we slow down, her hands tightening around my neck. “Did you see the look Shep gave you?”
“He can’t believe I’m dancing,” I tell her.
“So you’re doing this just for me then,” she murmurs, her eyes glowing with happiness.
I stop moving and hold her close in the center of the dance floor. I don’t care who’s watching us. “I do a lot of things just for you.”
She smiles. I bend my head down, about to kiss her when someone taps me on the shoulder.
Practically growling, I turn to find my old friend Marc standing in front of me. We joined the fraternity together our freshman year. Used to party with him all the time though we eventually grew apart. Hard to make a friendship stick when all you have in common is that you both like to drink beer. “Hey, Marc—”
“Alex McIntosh? Holy shit, is that really you?” Marc’s not even looking at me. He’s grinning at Alexandria like he just found a long lost friend.
She blinks at him, panic racing across her face, her smile shaky. “Umm…”
“Don’t tell me you don’t remember me because I’ll call you a liar right now to your fucking beautiful face.” Marc reaches for her, pulling her into a bear hug, his hands sprawled across her back, way too close to her ass for my comfort. “I haven’t seen you since high school! Damn, girl you’ve grown up.”
He releases her before I have to step in between them, the lucky bastard. Marc’s staring at her but her gaze keeps shooting to me, like she wants me to say something. I don’t even know what to think. I’m still stuck on the last name. She told me it was Asher. But Marc said McIntosh.
What the hell?
“You two know each other?” I ask her.
Alexandria sends me a pleading look. “We went to high school together.”
“Oh sure, tell Prescott that as if we’re just acquaintances. Like we hardly know each other. We dated when I was a senior and she was a junior for like, what? The entirety of the football season?” The grin on Marc’s face says it all. “Had some fun behind the bleachers and all that shit. You know how it is.” The asshole actually winks at me.
Yeah. I know. He’s fucked her. And now Marc thinks we’re members of the same club or something stupid like that.
“It was nothing serious,” she tells me, like that’s supposed to somehow make it better.
“When is it ever serious, Alex? I remember you going through lots of boyfriends back then.” Marc guffaws like he told a hilarious joke.
I clench my hands into fists. Damn it, I want to rip his fucking face off.
“We should go…” she starts, turning toward me when Marc pipes up again.
“How are your parents anyway? I heard they got in a lot of trouble, what with those charges brought against them and all.”
I go completely still. Charges? Her parents?
“Wait a minute.” Marc snaps his fingers, then points one at Alexandria. “They were found guilty, right? Got sentenced with prison time.” He shakes his head, his voice full of mock sympathy. “That totally sucks.”
Alexandria’s trembling as she steps closer to me. “Take me out of here,” she whispers. “Please.”
“Not enjoying your little reunion with the ex?” I ask, my voice sharp. So sharp she flinches, like I physically cut her.
Damn it, I can’t help it. This Marc prick seems to know more about her than I ever will. And he’s had sex with her. I know he has, the asshole motherfucker. If I could get away with beating his face in, I so would.
Does that make me a jealous asshole? You better believe it does. And I’m cool with it. More than cool because I’d like to take out his punk ass. Just the thought of him having his hands on Alexandria…