Page 273 of When We Fall: Part One

Rosalie widened her eyes at me.

“Want to play a game?” I asked bravely.

Her lips quirked up. “Sure. What game?” She swayed a little, making me smile. She was a lightweight.

“Last one to down three shots in a row has to do the chicken dance in the middle of the dance floor.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh god. OK. You’re on.”

Before I could grab my first shot, she already had hers down.

“Cheater!” I laughed, trying to catch up to her as she finished her drinks, her pretty face twisted at the burning taste.

“Ugh!” She shook. “So gross. Whiskey is the devil. I swear.”

I slammed my empty shot glass on the bar and wiped my mouth.

“Dance, chicken boy,” she said, smirking at me.

I let out a huff of laughter, took her hand in mine, and led her through the crowd to the dance floor, where I proceeded to do a slow version of the chicken dance. She threw her head back and laughed as I danced around her.

I loved seeing her that way.

I moved behind her and placed my hands on her hips, her back to my front.

She tensed as I leaned in and spoke softly in her ear.

“Dance with me, songbird. Pretend it’s just us.”

“What does that mean?” she answered softly.

“Whatever you want it to.”

She hesitated for a moment before moving with me. I pulled her flushed against my chest, urging her hips to move slowly.

God, she could move. I imagined what it would be like with her straddling me and riding me until we were both delirious with pleasure.

We’d only danced for a moment before Ryder came over and danced around us. Rosalie laughed and moved away from me. I knew Ryder was shit-faced, so I couldn’t be mad at him.

“You need more to drink,” he said in my ear. “Fucking go get something. You’re out here dancing like you’re in junior high. Loosen up, man. Trent is occupying Fox. Drink.”

He tugged Rosalie roughly against him and ground himself against her.

“Come on, Red. I know you can move better than this,” he called out, his hands on her hips.

I blew out a breath and went to the bar. Quickly, I ordered a couple of shots and downed them. I grabbed a beer and turned to watch Ryder and Rosalie on the dance floor. Ryder was smooth with women. Whenever he made a move, it always ended up with the girl in his bed.

After a few moments of watching him dance with her and her laughing at him, he stopped a shot girl, and they did a shot each. I smiled as she let her head fall back, a smile on her face.

She was…free.

I put my beer back on the bar, my buzz kicked up a few more notches, and my bravery at my next move was at an all-time high.

I made my way to them and didn’t hesitate to pull her back to me. Ryder smirked and sandwiched her against me, grinding against her and forcing her against my body. I gripped her hips tightly and moved back against her. She let her head fall back against my chest. I didn’t hesitate to dip my head to nuzzle against her neck. I knew she was drunk. So was I, though, so I wasn’t going to count our actions right now. Fuck it.

Ryder finished dancing with us before he slipped away, winking at me as he went. When Rosalie didn’t pull away from me, I tightened my hold on her and continued to sway with her to the music.

“How do you feel?” I murmured in her ear.