“I find it refreshing.”
“Oh, I believe you. But I also think you’ll tire of it fast for the mere reason that you don’t like having power over other people. You don’t want to control them—it makes you feel uncomfortable. And, well, you’re a girl who likes to be taken.”
“Don’t we all like that, at least once in a while?”
Cassie snickered. “That we do.”
Reappearing, Donnie held his hand out to her. “Ready, beautiful?”
“Ready,” she replied, and then the two headed to the dance floor.
Not interested in standing around like a wet lemon, I headed over to Coop, who was deep in conversation with some legion members. I smiled at him. “Hey, how’re you doing?”
“Great,” he replied, his eyes bright. “Just talking to these guys.”
“Want to dance?”
He winced. “I-I’m not very good at it.”
“I am, so we’re swell.” I took his hand and guided him onto the dance floor. Or I would have, but then Arlo was blocking our path, looking the height of awkward.
Arlo cleared his throat. “Off to dance, I see.” It was clear that he didn’t want me dancing with Coop but couldn’t think of how to stop it happening without coming across as a jealous asshole. How cute.
I smiled. “We are. I’d ask you to join us, but I’m not sure the three of us could make it work when it’s a slow ballad.”
“I’m going to the bar in any case.” He shifted his gaze to Coop. “Drink?”
I stifled a smile. Arlo was basically ensuring that Coop would go straight to him after the dance.
Coop coughed. “Um, a beer-flavoured NST, please.”
Arlo nodded and then left.
I pulled my date onto the dance floor and drew him close. “Well that was interesting.”
Coop moved a little stiffly as we swayed to the slow song. “Told you I wasn’t very good.”
I squeezed his shoulder. “You’re doing fine.”
He cleared his throat. “You look very pretty tonight.”
“Thanks. You look kind of dashing.” Lowering my voice, I added, “As does Arlo.”
A smile pulled at Coop’s mouth. “I noticed, though Lord knows I tried not to,” he said, his voice just as low.
“I saw you talk to him earlier. What did he say?”
“He was asking how things are going between me and you. He didn’t seem too happy when I reported that all was good.”
“He’s totally into you. In case you weren’t aware, he’s been eye-fucking you all night.”
“Oh, I’m aware.”
“Mind if I cut in?” a new voice asked.
Tension seeped into every muscle of my body. He was not here. He wasn’t. But oh yeah, the big bastard was.
Coop blinked at Ryder. “Um, no, I-I guess not.” Coop gave me a subtle little smirk and then melted away.
Pulling out the acting hat I’d worn during the Truth or Dare game, I turned to Ryder, who hauled me so close I was flush against him. Not necessary. But I didn’t comment. Nor did I react when I felt his cock begin to harden. I just swayed to the music, rolling my eyes when Cassie gave me a mischievous wink.
Sharp teeth nipped at my earlobe. “Focus.”
I frowned at Ryder. “On what?”
“Me.”
“Why, you gonna do magic?”
“Smartass.” His eyes bore into mine, hot and gleaming with something that made my skin tingle. “I like the dress. Like the heels better. You were wearing those the night I first had you.” He flicked up a brow when I blinked. “You thought I’d forget?”
I sighed. “Can we not do this? I don’t even know why we are. I don’t get why you cut in.”
Ryder shrugged. “I didn’t like seeing his hands on you,” he admitted easily—no hesitance, no embarrassment.
“You’re kind of gonna have to get used to it. Or just not look. Anyway, why aren’t you dancing with Krista?”
“Why would I?”
Exhaling heavily, I looked away. “Fine. Play dumb.”
“Not playing dumb. Just not interested in Krista. I don’t waste time pretending I’m into someone when I’m not, unlike certain people I could mention.”
I snapped my gaze back to his. “If you’re insinuating that I’m not really interested in Coop, you’re wrong. He’s not my usual type, no, but therein lies his appeal.”
“If you say so.” Ryder’s eyes dipped to my mouth. “Kissing you during the game was a mistake,” he said, his voice deeper and thicker than usual.
I swallowed. “Is that so?”
His gaze returned to mine as he lowered his face a little. “It only made me want more.”
Same fucking here. But it wouldn’t happen, so I had no interest in torturing myself by thinking or speaking of it. He could fuck right off with his games. “I need to use the bathroom,” I lied. “Thanks for the dance.” I pulled free of his arms and walked away.
Stepping out of the ballroom, I noticed that the rear door of the mansion was open. I headed outside and into the stunning gardens. I loved walking through them. They were beautiful. Serene. Calming. I could really do with something calming right then.