Page 133 of Bound By Fury

oh no, hope you feel better xx

What the hell was that about? What does Malachi have planned? It seems like Lucas is trying to help him despite how much distance has grown between them over the last year.

But I can’t think about this right now. I didn’t come to this dance just to keep spinning my wheels on the same tired drama. I have to stay focused on tonight. On having fun. Everything else can wait. Until tomorrow. Until I have no choice but to face it.

I use my pinkies to wipe along my lower lash line, smooth back my hair, and take a deep breath.

When I emerge from the scare zone, I pause on the perimeter of the dance floor and smile as I watch my friends.

Fingers trail up the backs of my arms, searing sparks following in their wake.

I freeze.

“Dance with me,” Malachi whispers against my ear.

FORTY-TWO

I TURN, HIS HANDS NEVER leaving my body as I face him.

“What are you doing?” I ask, glancing over his shoulder, acutely aware of the fact that I was just eavesdropping on his conversation.

Malachi ignores my question and bends down to peer into my face. “Did you hear what I said?”

“Fuck off,” I hiss, nudging him out of the way and feigning boredom as I turn back to the dancers.

“I was serious,” he murmurs from behind me.

I look over my shoulder. “About what?”

“About dancing.”

“You? Dancing?” I ask suspiciously. “Are you okay?”

He runs his hands though his hair and shrugs, his eyes bouncing between my own.

I glance around again, still searching for Lucas somehow. Still uncertain about what I just heard. About where he and I stand. About how he would feel to see me dance with Malachi.

Besides, after everything that’s happened since last summer, I’m not sure that pretending like we aren’t irrevocably broken is the best idea.

“Come on,” he says, wrapping his hands around my hips and turning me, bringing my body close to his. He’s not wearing a costume but instead has on a vintage Scream T-shirt and a dangly silver earring that glints in the strobe lights. His fingers trail down, intertwining with mine. “You have to. It’s my birthday.”

I gasp.

I totally forgot that his birthday is on Halloween.

Guess that explains the dinner he doesn’t want to go to.

When I look at him, his eyes are alight with mischief, and I have to force down the butterflies. What will it take for my stupid body to get the memo. HarKai is over. It was over before it ever began. It was nothing more than silly daydreams and too many nights inserting myself into mental fanfic of our future together.

But… it’s been so long since I’ve seen this look on his face. The tense, firm line of his mouth is gone. In its place is a smirk that makes heat pool in my belly.

I gulp. “Happy birthday.”

Maybe it’s the liquor, or maybe it’s the decorations, the music, and the lights all working together to blur my judgment, but I decide that I can dance with him. Just one dance. Just this once. “What’s gotten into you?” I ask, winding my arms around his neck.

His eyes snake over me hungrily, and the butterflies in my belly move into my brain, liquifying my common sense.

“Like I said, it’s my birthday.” He shrugs. “I deserve a treat.” His voice is rough as he pulls me closer until our bodies are flush.