Page 65 of Stardusted

His lips had parted and his eyes had widened with surprise, but he didn’t let go. One hand splayed low across my back, the other tightened on my waist. Mine had flattened against his stomach. Right over a set of hard abs that felt like they’d been designed by some sculptor. They flexed when he sucked in another deep breath.

I’d thought we were close before, but this? This waskissing-close. This was I’m-groping-Sky’s-abdominals close.

He gave one slow blink, and like he’d just realized the same thing, awareness slid in, darkening his midnight-blue eyes.

But he didn’t look away.

Neither did I.

It happened in a single heartbeat and…

We fit.

The thought stamped itself across my brain like a brand.

Which was clearly the vodka talking. The months of infatuation. Maybe stress forming illogical conclusions. It’d also been a while since I’d been this close to someone. And certainly not someone like Sky.

He smelled like mint andhim,like cool night and sandalwood and spice. I should pull away. Now. Before he pushed me off him. Because surely he would.

Any second now.

…anysecond.

He didn’t move.

Neither did I.

Another heartbeat passed before he did, and it wasn’t to draw away or put distance between our bodies. Instead, he used the palm on my back to press in, situating me against him.

Not pulling away. Pulling mecloser.

Laser lights flashed across the floor, slicing beams of rainbow color. His features flickered in and out of focus, but I could see enough. The shock had dissipated from his face, and that calm mask was back in place. His gaze was warm, dark, infinite.

My heart tried to punch its way out through my ribs.

“Okay,” he murmured, and it was huskier than he’d sounded a second ago. His mouth curved ever so slightly, crinkling his eyes. “This works, too.”

And he started swaying again. Autopilot kicked in. My hips found the beat, syncing with the music’s slow, pulsing rhythm.

You know, just…dancing. Casually. With Sky.

I could do this. I just had to keep it together. Act natural.

Natural, as in like it was a totally normal thing to be wrapped around him. Of all people. Of all nights. On this dance floor.

To make it easier on myself, I moved my hands off his abs (dear God) and laced them behind his neck instead.

Sky glanced away to scan the crowd and the edges of the dance floor. Like he was looking for something. I started to follow his gaze, but then his attention drifted back to me. His teasing smile deepened at whatever he saw. Disbelief and awe, most likely.

“You sure this is okay?” he asked, the question rumbling from his chest and into mine. His voice was barely audible over the music.

This was not a fantasy anymore. This was real. Somehow. I’d entered an alternate reality where I’d run into him at the club and now we were plastered together like this.

Our chests brushed. His hips pressed against mine, which threatened to drag my mind in allkindsof inappropriate places?—

No, I couldn’t do that. Not now. Not if I wanted to maintain my composure.

But…kind of impossible not to. After all, this wasSky.