Page 34 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

I take a tiny step closer to him. He’s so warm, and I can feel his heart pounding through his chest. There’s so much tension in his body, I’m afraid he might explode.

“Hey.” I keep my voice gentle, bringing one of my hands up so my fingers brush his cheek.What am I doing. What am I doing. WHAT AM I DOING?!“You’re doing fine. And I’m happy to be dancing with you.”

He lets out a stunned breath, but I feel him relax underneath my palms. He stares at me with such intensity I feel like I might burst into flames. When his eyes flit to my lips, I can’t help but smile.

But he doesn’t kiss me. All he says is, “Thank you. I’m happy, too.”

He holds me closer, and we fall into a comfortable pattern, not moving too far from the spot we started in.

It gives me a moment to relax. And to let my mind catch up. It’s far behind again, wondering what happened to the wholekeep your guard up, you’re going home alonething. Because right now, I’d let any of these three men take me home in a heartbeat.

Even Rhett. I’m beginning to think his standoffish-ness is simply due to nervousness and social anxiety.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” I say, looking up at him. His jaw is still too tight, his shoulders a bit too high.

“I—social things—larger events—I’m not a big crowd type of person.” He pulls me flat against him as Ava spins by with her partner, too drunk to care that they almost hit us.

My skin tingles at every point of contact with Rhett. Never mind that there are multiple pieces of clothing between us. My body has a strange reaction whenever one of these men touches me. I may not understand it, but I can’t change it, and I’m not saying Idon’tlike it.

It’s definitely a new experience, though.

Rhett grunts when he looks down at me, finding my face mere inches from his own. His lips part, and I’m sure he’s going to lean down and close the space between us, but then he straightens.

My face falls, and I have to look away. My whole body feels deflated, which is a surprise—I wasn’t expecting this level of emotions for a man I’ve only ever chatted with.

When the song ends, Rhett’s hands fall from my sides. But then he works his jaw, and his hand slides into mine. As other couples filter off the floor, we follow suit, heading back to Oliver and Elliot.

Almost instantly, Rhett drops my hand, taking his spot leaning against the wall. I let myself step closer to Elliot, and when my arm brushes his, he wraps it around my waist.

“Come with me for a moment,” he murmurs into my ear.

He takes me out of the ballroom and into a quiet hallway. After a few steps, he backs me against the wall, placing both of his hands beside my shoulders. “I’m going to ask you a question, and I need you to answer honestly. Don’t consider my reaction at all. Understood?”

With wide eyes and a smile I can’t wipe off my face, I nod. This is it. This isit.He’s finally going to kiss me.

His lips brush against the spot where my neck meets my jawbone. “I’d like to take you home tonight, Wren. Would you like that?”

“Yes,” I whisper as my stomach does backflips. “But Elliot.”

“Hmm?” He presses his face into my neck, inhaling. The action causes a shiver to shoot up my spine.

“I need you to kiss me first.”

With a low chuckle, he pulls away to look me in the eye. One of his hands cups my cheek, and I lean into it with a smile.

“Preferably right now.”

“Whatever you want,” he says, leaning closer.

When his lips meet mine, I moan. He smiles against my mouth, pressing his body into mine. And when he finally,reallykisses me, fireworks go off in my stomach. It’s not until he pulls away and I find myself gasping for air that I realize I’ve grabbed onto his arms, pulling him toward me and not letting go.

“Would you like to leave now?” he says, his body still pinning me to the wall.

I groan.“Yes.”I can feel how hard he is against me, and it’s taking all my willpower not to grind against him in the middle of this hallway.

A slow smile crosses his face, and he kisses me again. “Go get your coat. I’ll tell the others we’re leaving.”

With a nod that’s probably too enthusiastic and a tad desperate, I head to the coatroom. I text Ava, letting her know I’m heading out. She sends me three eggplant emojis back, and I roll my eyes.