Say You Swear

His grip on my hips twitches in response, and my body decides to push into his in return, my head falling back, the sudden weight unbearable.

As if sensing my next move, his right hand flies up, gently stopping me from looking his way.

He can’t see my face, but somehow senses my pout, his chuckle giving him away, and my eyes close, soaking up the deep, raspy sound.

His smile is evident in the way he breathes, his amusement in the way he’s dancing. It’s as if his exhilaration runs through my own veins, and when he unlinks his hand from mine, sprawling his fingers across my ribs, his curiosity is written in the way his heart beats, peaking my own.

I want to see you.

He knows I do, so when the song rolls into another, it’s no surprise we both stop moving.

My toes curl in my heels as I begin to pull from his grasp, but I’m rooted in place in the next second when his lips press gently to the edge of my ear.

“You can turn around now, beautiful.” He speaks in a deep whisper, and an airy sensation whirls through me.

I suck in a breath, biting my lower lip as I turn, but I don’t short myself of the fun by darting straight for his face; instead, I drop my gaze slightly, coming eye-level with a strong, corded neck, tan skin and the collar of a simple gray T-shirt. I don’t tip my chin but allow my gaze to travel down as much as the position allows, finding a hint of ink settled under his right sleeve.

His hand lifts from his side then, and I admire the way his muscles grow more pronounced. He chuckles again, and I close my eyes, readying for the touch I sense is coming, and it does.

Strong, rough to the touch fingers press on the underside of my chin. He gives a small nudge, wordlessly asking for my attention, and my lids fly open.

His jaw is firm and flawlessly curved, his lips drawn into a side smirk, but not the kind that says he’s full of himself. It’s soft, charming.

Familiar?

His chest rises with a full breath then, his free hand twitching beside me, and finally, my eyes rise.

When I meet an open metallic blue gaze, I stop breathing.

He doesn’t say a word, just stares unblinking, and when his mouth hooks higher, I snap out of it, my wide smile breaking free.

He laughs, allowing his hand to fall to his side. “Hi, Juliet.”

“Noah.”

Chapter 13

Arianna

* * *

“Wait a minute!” Cam chokes through her laughter. “She convinces you to take her home, then what?” Her brows shoot up. “Says hang on a sec, let me pull the plug to my red river, but hurry so I don’t make a mess?”

Noah laughs into his fist while my palm slaps over my mouth to hold back a giggle, so I don’t spit water all over, as tears of laughter leak from my eyes.

Trey grins. “No. She waited until I got sheathed, reached between her legs, pulled the shit out and tossed it to the floor like it was fuckin’ normal.”

My mouth drops open, and Cam laughs so hard she does spit water… all over Trey’s lap, but he only smiles, nudging her shoulder with his.

“Okay.” Noah frowns in amusement. “No more of your frat stories tonight.” He smiles, not a hint of judgment present.

“Let’s hear some of yours?”

Noah’s gaze darts to mine, eyes bright. “Me?”

I nod, taking another small drink of water.

His chuckle is low, and he licks his lips, but it’s Trey who speaks.

“Unless you want a detailed description of the practice field, gym, grocery store and maybe a local gas station or two, you probably want to stick to me for entertainment.” He laughs, whipping his head to the side to avoid the peanut Noah throws his way.

Noah grins good-naturedly, throwing his arm out along the back of the booth as he settles more into it.

“A homebody then?” I wonder.

Noah brings those eyes back to mine, a hidden grin threatening to slip. “Depends.”

“On?”

His gaze narrows the slightest bit, but a smile is written in the creases framing his face. “On the day, the situation, and the reason I’d have for going.”

“I didn’t mean he’s a grandpa.” Trey laughs. “He’s a focused-ass fucker is all. Surprised I got him out tonight.” He looks to his friend, and then Trey’s smirk widens. “Actually, I’m not.”

They share a secret laugh, and I smile, glancing around the table as the conversations flow, truly enjoying the easiness of the evening.

After my dance partner surprise, Noah and I tracked down Cam and Trey by the bar, quickly grabbing an empty table to hang for a while longer. We’ve been sitting here for about an hour now, listening to Trey’s hilariously horrific tales from his first year in college when he pledged a fraternity at UCB, where he completed his first year. He transferred to Avix his sophomore year, and he learned quick football and fraternities don’t always mix when you want to be on top of your game, ergo the football house Mase and the boys live in.