Chapter Seventeen
Ryan
Am I over the top?
Sure am, and I have no regrets.
Because Sofia looks absolutely amazing. Her hair is so straight, and while it’s hot, I wish it were in the curls I’ve wanted to see down. Her makeup is done, her lips glossy, and the outfit she’s wearing is so her. I wouldn’t expect her to come out in a dress that would knock me on my ass. While I would love it, I love this. Leggings and a tee, looking like someone I want to wake up next to.
When the last beat of the song plays, I stop in front of her. Her eyes are narrowed, her lips pursed, and she looks wholly amused. “You’re serious?”
I nod. “I wanted to tell you that I want to dance with you slowly.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, Ryan. Google translate left out the part about undressing me with your kisses and going past my danger zones, ya know?”
My cheeks fill with a bit of color. “Well, I wouldn’t complain about those parts either.”
Amelia rolls her eyes. “You’re such a dork.”
“What? She loves it!”
Sofia smirks. “I’ve never had anyone do that, so you’re winning in that sense.”
I stick my tongue out at Amelia. “Ha!”
“But that was insanely obnoxious, and yes, you’re a dork.”
Amelia is the one sticking her tongue out at me now. “Ha!”
But my eyes are on Sofia. “A dork you want to dance with?”
She wants to say no, I can see it all over that gorgeous face of hers, and I fully expect her to. But when I hold out my hand, she doesn’t sneer at it. Instead, she takes it before drawing in a deep breath and glancing over at Amelia for a second. My sister, bless her, just grins, nodding, and then I know I can pull Sofia into my arms. Backing up into the crowd as the music changes to a fast-paced dance song, I lace our fingers together before lifting her hands above her head as she moves those sexy hips to the beat. She seems unsure of herself, a little reserved as she looks around, but then she’s looking at me, and I don’t hesitate for even a second. Bringing her in close, I wrap my arms around her waist as we move to the music, our eyes locked as the world moves around us. I don’t care that the room is full or even that my sister is in a dress a hooker is probably wearing on a street corner right now. No, I’ll worry about that later, for at this moment, all I care about is how Sofia feels in my arms.
And she feels fucking amazing. Perfect, even. She runs her hands up the backs of my biceps, a little grin coming over those plush lips, and I want her closer. I tighten my hands on her, and she presses into me, her eyes widening a bit, but then she’s lost in the music.
I’m lost in her.
She’s a good dancer—of course she is; she’s a gymnast. Then again, sometimes they’re a little tight and controlled, but Sofia lets go. Her hips are threatening, and when I turn her in my arms, she moves her ass against my thighs. I am thankful for her height, because a few inches taller and she’d be feeling a lot more. I move my hands down her thighs, leaning into her as her head falls back on my chest before she looks up at me. Her chin is so dainty, and I love the length of her neck. Her hazel eyes are wide and full of an excitement that leaves me wanting nothing more than to kiss her. But I don’t feel right about it.
When I kiss this girl, I want it to be in a place where I know I won’t have to stop right away. I’m not saying I want to take her to bed as soon as my lips touch hers, but I want to be able to kiss her long and hard because she needs to be kissed like that. My lips quirk as I lean down, gliding my nose along her cheek as she moves against me. Her eyes don’t leave mine, and I swear she’s holding her breath. I press my lips to the spot below her ear, and when she jumps in surprise, I can’t help but grin.
“I got you.” I tighten my arms around her waist, hugging her close. Soon she isn’t dancing, she’s just leaning into me. “Wanna get out of here?”
She goes still in my arms. When she turns in my embrace, she moves her hands up my chest, her eyes meeting mine. “Where?”
I lean down, my lips moving against her ear. “My special place?”
She moves her head slightly, her lips now tickling my earlobe. “Your bed?”
I want to say yes, but I shake my head, moving so she can hear me. “While that does sound like a good time, I’d rather take you somewhere else.” When I pull back to gauge her reaction, something catches my eye. “That son of a bitch!”
Amelia and Moon.
Her ass in his lap.
I see red.
Sofia’s hands quickly flatten on my chest. “Yes.”
Her one-syllable word actually stops me. “Yes?”
“Yeah, take me to your special spot.”
“Can I do it after I kill him?” I ask, pointing to where Amelia and Moon are talking very closely.
She shakes her head. “Now or never.”
I narrow my eyes. “Are you trying to distract me so I don’t kill him because my sister is your best friend and you want her to have a good time?”
She nods with a grin pulling at her lips. “Exactly.”
I sigh heavily, and while I want to kill Moon, I know this is my chance with her. “You win.”
She grins in victory as I take her hand in mine, pulling her through the crowd. I have to trust that my best friend won’t do anything he isn’t supposed to do to my sister and also that my sister isn’t a completely boy-crazy dumbass.
God, I hope Moon remembers I can kill him.
Going through the kitchen, I lead Sofia up the stairs until she pauses. I look back at her, and she looks terrified. “What’s wrong?”
“Isn’t this the way to the bedrooms?”
I shrug. “Yeah.”
“Oh, well—”