Page 66 of Stardusted

How many times had I watched him at the bar? Admired the way his sleeves strained against his arms? Watched that dimple. Melted over that laugh I rarely got to hear. That smile.

There was a chance I hadn’t realized how truly far gone I was until now. The world threatened to narrow to only us.

But there was a small, annoying voice at the back of my mind. A nagging reminder that made it impossible to completely surrender to this moment.

“You never did answer my question,” I said, way more breathlessly than I’d intended.

Sky tilted his head down, brows slanting in inquiry. “What question?”

He traced his eyes over me—over mymouth. Just the briefest glance before he blinked rapidly and looked away. Almost like he hadn’t meant to. His teeth sank into his bottom lip, and his fingers tightened a little on my side.

I was suddenly grateful I’d slung my arms around his neck. I wasn’t quite sure I could stand on my own.

Focus, Rae.Be logical.

Because if I didn’t know better, I’d think he looked flustered, too.

But he was also dodging my question.

Somehow, I made myself form words. “I asked what you were doing here tonight.”

“Ah.” He dipped his head a little, looking at me through thick lashes. “Dancing with you. Is that okay?”

“Is that—?” My brain stuttered. “But…why?”

“Why are we dancing?” His grin flashed, bright and lethal.

“Yes,” I croaked. “No. Uh, kind of?”

He gave a short laugh before sobering. “Honestly?”

“Preferably,” I breathed, trying not to notice the brush of his jeans against my lower belly.

My answer drew a faint smile from him, a flicker of one that slipped away just as quickly. “At first, it was because that asshole wouldn’t leave you alone and no one else was stepping in.” He glanced around us, like he was reassuring himself Whiskey Breath had indeed vanished, and then his attention was on me again. His expression softened a little. “And now we’re dancing because…well, I really like your dress. I probably shouldn’t say this, but you look really nice, Rae. And I…”

His Adam’s apple bobbed with his heavy swallow. Stunned, I could only stare. I desperately needed him to finish that sentence.

He’d just told me he liked mydress. That I looked great.

What washappeningright now?

“What do you mean you probably shouldn’t say it?” I asked. A bead of sweat traced down my spine. I couldn’t look away from Sky’s face.

Because I was watching him, I noticed the way he bit the inside of his cheek and looked everywhere but at me.

Was that redness tinting his high cheekbones or a trick of the light? Holy crap. If I didn’t know better, I’d think Sky was blushing.

That couldn’t be right. Was he drunk, too? He didn’t seem drunk. I didn’t smell any alcohol on him, and his gaze wasn’t blurry. There had to be an explanation for this.

I was at a loss for one. And words.

After about a million years, he finally looked at me again, running those dark eyes over my face before sighing. “It’s complicated. But I also…” He exhaled a soft, self-deprecating laugh and shook his head. “I don’t know. I like the way you’re looking at me right now. Like youseeme.”

“Like Iseeyou?” How the hell could someone miss him?

Also, why did I get the feeling he was holding something back? What was complicated? Dancing? Because he seemed to be doing just fine. I was the one who’d nearly knocked us over. What was I missing?

What was going on?