Page 84 of Ignite (Beneath the Blaze #2)

HALLIE

I ’m about to turn back to Lily when Jason storms across the dance floor toward me, rubbing his jaw.

“You know some psycho just attacked me in the bathroom? Grabbed me by the throat. Said he’d cut my fucking hands off if I touched you again.”

My stomach drops.

I don’t even have to ask who it was.

“Sorry,” I mutter, though I’m not sure why I’m apologizing.

“Yeah. Whatever. I’m out of here.” He shakes his head and pushes past me, disappearing into the crowd.

I swallow hard, feeling that familiar static in the air.

And then I see him.

Conan.

Leaning against the bar like he owns the place.

God, he looks smug with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning back on the bar.

Smug, but handsome as hell.

And that suit. Fuck. I could rip it off him with my teeth.

Okay. I need to calm down on the alcohol.

He flashes me a grin and I stomp towards him. I am so done with this bullshit.

“Did you tell that guy not to dance with me?” I jab my nail into his chest.

“Hmm.”

“Did you?”

He leans in, and my breath hitches.

“I didn’t exactly say those words. I just explained what would happen to him if he touched what’s mine again.”

I pull back and blink at him.

“Yours?”

I can’t help but laugh. Maybe he’s losing his mind too.

“I can’t with you.” I toss my hands in the air.

Shaking my head, I turn. I’m disappointed when he doesn’t stop me. But I keep my head held high and strut back to the dance floor.

His?

I was.

Now I’m not.

“What the hell is Conan doing here?” I ask Lily.

She sheepishly looks past me.

“I may have invited him.”

“What?!”

“I thought it would be a good and neutral place for you guys to talk it out.”

“Lily,” I hiss, tugging her to the standing table at the side of the floor.

“I don’t want to talk. Because I’m weak for him. I’ll just fall under his spell.”

“You miss him, Hallie.”

“I do. But he hurt me. I can’t forget that.”

“I’m sorry. I was just trying to help. I promise I’ll stay out of it. I’m team Hallie. Always.”

I roll my eyes. I can’t be mad. I’d probably do the same thing for her.

“He told Jason not to dance with me.”

“Roar,” she purrs and pretends to claw me.

“Possessive men.”

“Oh my god. You’re so drunk,” I laugh.

Whatever buzz I was feeling died a quick death when I saw Conan.

But he replaced it with a different kind of spark. And now, I can feel his eyes staring at me.

So I’m going to give him a show.

I’m not his property. He lost me. And now, he can pay the consequences.

He has no idea how horny two-drink Hallie is.

“Come on, let’s dance.” I grab Lily by the hand and drag her back onto the dance floor.

Straight into the middle of a group of guys.

“Hey, gorgeous.” One slides up behind me, his hands running down my waist.

“Hey.”

I discreetly move so we turn; now I’m facing Conan.

Who looks absolutely murderous.

He shakes his head.

I blow him a kiss, exaggerating my hip movements. I don’t even know what this guy behind me looks like.

I don’t care.

The look on Conan’s face is a picture. My heart flutters.

But that pull between us? It’s still there, stronger than ever.

He doesn’t move. He’s like a statue. A gorgeous one.

“You wanna maybe take this to the bathroom?” the guy whispers in my ear.

And I cringe.

“No. Thank you.”

He spins me to face him, grabbing hold tight to my wrist.

“Fucking dick tease,” he grits out, pressing his face against mine.

I yank my wrist away and push at his chest. He stumbles back.

And the next thing I know, a tattooed fist flies across and lands in his jaw, sending him flying.

The music carries on, but the crowd is silent. All eyes on me.

But it’s not me they’re looking at.

I turn to face the furious beast behind me. Fuck. He can’t get in trouble.

“Come on.”

I yank his hand and drag him through the VIP area. I swear that’s Finn in the corner. But I don’t have time. I lead us through the hallway and out to the parking lot.

The fresh air is a welcome distraction to the fire inside me.

He pulls me to a stop and spins me to face him.

The next thing I know, my back is slammed against the wall.

His lips a breath from mine.

“You’re crazy, Conan.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“I had it covered.”

He smirks and brushes my hair away from my shoulder.

“You did. But he deserved that. I heard what he said. I saw him grab you. You’re lucky we’re in a public setting, Hallie.” There’s a threat to his tone.

Reminding me who he really is.

And why this can’t happen.

But holy hell, the way he’s eye-fucking me right now is so distracting.

“I wouldn’t have been dancing with him if you didn’t piss me off,” I counter.

His jaw ticks.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers.

I roll my eyes and he grips my jaw gently.

“So you keep saying.”

His touch sets me alight.

As I stare into his eyes, there’s a flicker of the man who stole my heart in there.

The one I can’t let go of.

“I’ll keep saying it until you believe me, trouble. I don’t care if it takes weeks, months, or years. You best believe I’ll keep saying those damn words in every possible variation until I prove myself to you.”

I don’t know what comes over me. I press my index finger against his lips.

“Shh. You’re ruining it.”

He arches an eyebrow.

“Ruining what exactly?”

I grin and tug him closer by his tie.

“Kiss me and find out.”

His gaze flicks between my eyes and my lips. I hold my breath.

I want this.

One last time.

To remember what it’s like to be completely consumed.

“Fuck it,” he mutters.

He grabs me by the back of the head and slams his lips over mine.

And I slide my arms around his neck to pull him even closer.

As his tongue dances with mine, his fingers dig into my ass.

I lose myself in the moment.

In Conan.