“I’m sorry. I’m… I’m not—” Nathaniel stammers.

“Single. He’s not single,” I cut in smoothly, handing Nathaniel his drink. I decide to oversell it, wrapping my hand around Nathaniel's waist and pulling him into my side. Typically we’ve only touched during rough housing…but this? This feels nice.

The guy’s eyes widen, flicking between us. “Oh! Sorry—I didn’t realize... but hey, you’re hot too. If you’re both open to a third…”

I nearly choke on my drink. This guy has balls.

“We’re good, Champ. Thanks, though,” I chuckle, only releasing Nathaniel to pat the guy on his shoulder, before putting it back to where it belongs. Around him.

The guy looks disappointed but finally takes the hint and dances away.

I turn to Nathaniel, not being able to hold back my laugh any longer.

“Oh, holy shit,” I wheeze, leaning into his chest as he starts laughing too, gripping my waist for balance.

“I can’t believe that just happened,” he laughs harder.

“These are the moments you’re never going to forget,” I say, shaking my head and taking another swig. He follows suit, slamming back his drink.

My hand, resting on the small of his back, seems to have a mind of its own as it slowly trails up his spine, eventually cupping the nape of his neck and massaging it gently.

To my pleasant surprise, his hand moves up from my waist to my shirt, gently tugging and rocking me toward him.

“I like this on you,” he murmurs. I barely hear him over the music, but oh—I heard it.

I lick my lips. His eyes drop to the motion, and I bite my lower lip.

Without thinking, I say the only thing that makes sense in this moment. “Dance with me.”

He hesitates, his eyes darting between my eyes and back to my lips. Finally he nods, finishes his drink, and leads the way to the dance floor.

I watch him for a second, then down the rest of my drink before I follow.

The floor is packed. Bodies press together in every direction. It’s hot—in more ways than one. I close my eyes and move with the beat, my heart syncing with the rhythm.

It’s not long before the bodies around us have given us no choice but to get closer. Soon, we’re chest to chest, waist to waist. All my normal confidence fades away as nerves and curiosity take over. My eyes don’t lift up to his. I can’t. I’m scared that if I do, he’ll see the anxiousness written all over my face.

Is he wanting this as badly as I do right now?

As though he hears my thoughts, his hands creep to my waist, shocking me. Apparently that’s all the reassurance I need because my arms immediately wrap around his neck, bringing us even closer. Our foreheads rest against each other as I finally bring myself to sneak a glance at his eyes.

He’s staring at my lips while my hands roam down his arms, squeezing his defined muscles. His hands squeeze my hips gently—whether he realizes it or not.