Page 12 of Lust

The soiree was in full swing inside. High heels clicked against the marble floor, and designer dresses glided gracefully across the room. Scanning the area for potential photographers, I strolled to the bar.

“Vodka-soda, please,” I requested.

“Make that just soda,” a voice behind me contradicted. “She is nineteen.”

I turned around at lightning speed. My mouth dropped, eyes widening in surprise. “Jailor?” I shook my head. “I mean… T-Tobias!”

What the hell is the hot cop doing here?

Green eyes gleamed at my stuttering, forcing my heart to skip a beat. Fuck, he was tall. Incredibly good-looking, too, might I add. Slacks and a crisp white shirt hugged his body, while his brown hair was an unruly mess.

I drew in a breath which sounded ragged even to my own ears.

“Hi, Princess. I didn’t think you had it in you to be rendered speechless.”

Yes, I was speechless, a trait I had never been accused of possessing. It was impossible not to be at the sight of the last man I expected to see.

“I-I am just surprised,” I managed. “Are you here with someone?” It was unlikely he’d attend such an event otherwise. My heart sank at the thought.

Tobias smiled, displaying a full set of white teeth. He had a dimple on his left side. It dipped to make such a perfect dent that I nearly reached out to touch it. “Actually, yes. I’m here with you.”

“W-what… h-how?” I stammered. “I don’t understand.”

He laughed at my furrowed brows. “I’ll explain later,” he gently appeased my bewilderment. “For now, I’m under strict orders to ensure we lead the first dance.”

But Tris and I always led the first dance;the words remained at the tip of my tongue. It was traditional for someone to lead the first dance at Mom’s events. She always bestowed that honor upon Tristan and me.

Did she orchestrate this? Was Tobias my surprise? How did she even come to know of the handsome cop?

Tobias reached out, slowly entwining our fingers. My mind was riddled with confusion as I followed him blindly, the warm palm heating my cold hand.

He tilted his head to the side. “By the way, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, trying to steady my racing heart.

“In fact, you are the most beautiful girl here tonight.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls.”

“But I only mean it with you,” he retorted.

“I’m flattered,” I said dryly. “Should I swoon now?”

“I’ll be here to catch you if you do.”

Christ. Tobias was the kind of man that could ruin a girl. “Did my parents put you up to this?”

“Maybe,” he drawled mysteriously. “Are you excited to lead the first dance?”

I shrugged. “I’m under strict guidance not to make any mistakes.”

Tobias laughed. It was all warm and kind and infectious. “I didn’t take you for one to follow the rules.”

Assembling the last morsel of residual indifference, I countered, “And I didn’t take you for one to encourage others to break the rules.”

Tobias leaned in, lips grazing my ear. “Only if the outcome is worth it.”

I wondered if my heart would burst into pieces at the rate it was beating. Undoubtedly, a mistake had been made if a man likethatwas whispering suggestive words to me.