Page 67 of Make Me Yours

Her silver dress clings to every curve, the fabric brushing lightly against my suit with each sway. But it’s not just the way she feels pressed against me that unravels me. It’s the way she tilts her head back, eyes locking on mine like I’m the only person in the room. Like I’m the only one who’s ever mattered.

My movements are smooth and easy. I might not like to dance, but my mother made sure I learned when I was in high school.

Don’t think I didn’t hear a lot of shit talk from my teammates when they found out.

There’s something about holding her in my arms that feels different tonight.

Like maybe, for the first time, she could really be mine.

All the patience, all the years of waiting, has finally led here.

Toher.

Right where I always hoped we’d be.

I tighten my grip as my thumb brushes over her hip.

“Did I mention earlier that you look pretty handsome?” she murmurs with a half-smile.

“I think we both know I’m not a fan of tuxes,” I say, pulling her a little closer. “But for you? In that dress? Totally worth it.”

She laughs. The sound is delicate and unsure, but it dies on her lips as my gaze drops to her mouth, and for a beat, everything else falls away. The air thickens as her expression shifts. A flicker of something raw flashes across her face.

As if she’s finally starting to feel the pull between us too.

The gravity that’s been dragging us closer with every heartbeat.

My hand tightens at the small of her back as I lean in. That’s all it takes for her to falter, her lips to part, and?—

“Steele.”

I blink as Rina’s voice cuts through themoment like a burst of cold air. I turn to find her standing at the edge of the floor, tablet in hand, her expression apologetic.

“Hugh is looking for you.” Her red lips curve as she glances between me and Lilah. “There are a few donors he wants you to meet.”

My hand stays anchored to the small of Lilah’s back, my body angled toward hers. “Does it have to be right now?”

Rina lifts a brow in amusement. “Unless you want to field a strongly worded text from Evelyn in shouty caps… yeah. Now.”

I glance down at Lilah to find her gaze fixed on my chest, as if she can’t quite bring herself to meet my eyes. When she finally does, her smile is cautious.

“I’ll grab a drink,” she murmurs. “You go charm the big shots.”

The casual tone doesn’t fool me. Not when there are questions written in her eyes that she’s not quite ready to ask out loud.

I lean down, brushing a kiss against her cheek, my lips lingering for just a second longer than appropriate. “I’ll find you as soon as I’m done.”

She nods, eyes darting away. “Okay.”

I hate that I have to let her go, even for a second.

Before I can say anything more, Rina links her arm through Lilah’s and guides her away. “Come on. You owe me a few answers.”

Lilah groans. “Rina.”

As they disappear into the crowd, Lilah tosses an unsteady look at me over her shoulder, as if she’s feeling the shift too, and isn’t sure what to do about it.

But that’s okay.