Page 173 of When We Ignite

“Are you serious?” Ethan asked, laughing as realization dawned.

“Ethan wants you to take him dancing, Henny,” I said.

Henry laughed as he stood, extending a hand to Ethan.

Ethan shook his head at me but took Henry’s hand anyway, letting him lead him toward the dance floor. He glanced back over his shoulder, and I met his gaze with a grin.

I watched him move. He and Henry were talking and laughing, Ethan occasionally turning back to catch my eye. As the music took hold, his movements became more fluid, his body relaxed, and his smile lit up the room.

Ethan was mesmerizing. A diamond in the rough, still unaware of just how much he shone. Watching him dance—free and unguarded, the way he bit his lip and let himself feel the music—I saw every set of eyes on him, just as fixated as mine.

He had everyone in the room under his spell.

A couple of men tried to approach Ethan and Henry after it became clear they weren’t together. Ethan handled it with effortless grace, offering polite smiles and shaking his head. Even that was mesmerizing to watch—the way he carried himself with such ease. After it happened a few more times, Ethan glanced my way before walking over.

He reached for my hand. “Come dance with me.”

I shook my head.

“Come on, Ash. Please.” He took a step back, jutting out his lower lip in an exaggerated pout. He looked so damn precious I had to take a steadying breath. Still, I shook my head again.

Ethan rolled his eyes, stepping closer this time. He climbed onto the couch, kneeling over my thighs, and tilted my face toward his with his hands. His lips crashed into mine, hungry and demanding, and I couldn’t help but smile against his kiss, following his lead. When he pulled back, he grabbed my hands and placed them firmly on his waist.

“Come on,” he murmured, his breath brushing my ear. “Take me dancing. Isn’t that, like, a prerequisite for sugar daddies?” He leaned back, biting his lip with a teasing grin.

I groaned, half in amusement and half in surrender. “I’ll dance with you if you promise to stop calling me that.”

Ethan’s laugh rang out.

With a sigh, I let him pull me to my feet. His entire face lit up in triumph, and I followed him reluctantly toward the packed dance floor. Henry caught sight of us and smirked before turning back to the guy he’d been chatting with.

Ethan started dancing effortlessly, swaying to the rhythm, and I tried to mimic him, though my movements felt awkward and stiff.

Ethan’s eyes widen in comic disbelief. His face filled with unrestrained glee as he tugged me down by my shirt. “Sebastian, what the fuck?” he said through a laugh.

I sighed again. “I told you—I don’t dance.”

“I can’t believe it. You’re bad at this. You’re actually fucking bad at something. This is too good,” he said, still laughing, his delight contagious.

“Can I leave now?” I deadpanned, but Ethan only pulled me closer.

“No. I want to dance with you, even if you’re crap. It’s not about quality, it’s about you,” he insisted, his voice softening.

And just like that, he had me.

I let myself go along with it, indulging him, and Ethan lit up with joy. He kept trying to guide me into his rhythm, laughing every time I missed the beat.

“Holy shit. Look,” he said, wide-eyed, gesturing behind us.

I turned to see Henry making out with the guy he’d been talking to earlier. That familiar, uncomfortable pang twisted in my chest, but I pushed it aside, turning back to Ethan’s amused expression.

“What?” I asked, watching his grin stretch wider.

“A part of me thought he was lying,” Ethan admitted, his eyes flicking back to Henry. His grin turned mischievous. “It’s kind of hot.”

I frowned, but before I could respond, Ethan laughed and pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to my neck. “I’m kidding. I’m kidding,” he murmured in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.

About half an hour later Henry reappeared to say he was ready to leave. I agreed and grabbed Ethan’s hand, guiding him through the crowd. I knew the sight of us leaving together would draw attention, especially with Henry in tow, so I spotted a man with a cap, handed him some cash, and placed it on Ethan’s head. He shot me a questioning look, but I silenced him with a quick brush of my lips.