Hooking up wasn’t really my thing. And I wasn’t sure why, but it was really important to me for him to know that. “Combustible. Right. I just feel like I need to breathe for a minute. Catch my breath.” Get my brain working.

His smile was slow, but it reached his eyes. “I can live with that. How about we go dance?”

What? No. Dancing was far worse. Because with dancing I’d be pressed up against him and remember what he tasted like. Maybe if we just talked for a minute longer I could get my bearings. “I was thinking we could stay up here a little longer. You know, talk a little more. Maybe you can tell me why you’re really hiding on the night of your birthday party.”

I tried to step around him, but he blocked my path. “Maybe we should grab coffee or something for that kind of chat. It's a very boring story. Besides, if we stay up here, I won’t be thinking about my life story. I’ll be thinking about how you taste. Anyway, I can’t really disappear too long from the party. It's only a matter of time until someone comes looking for us.”

I flushed. We could have totally been seen. The thought hadn’t even entered my mind. I'd been so consumed. Actually, no thought had entered my brain. I’d been entirely focused on getting as close to him as humanly possible.

I blinked up at Lex, the chasm between what I wanted to do and what I should do growing ever wider. “You're right. Lead the way to the dance floor. I wore these shoes for a reason. They should get used.”

“Ladies first, of course.”

As I preceded him down the stairs I wondered, why him? Why this guy? The last thing I wanted to do was get caught up in a guy so hot I didn’t dare touch him. Not to mention a spoiled rich kid. He might not be making it rain, but the air of wealth clung to him.

But Lex had a way about him. I could see myself so wrapped up in him that nothing else mattered. One kiss, and I already knew he would consume my life if I let him.

Lex…

I followed Abbie into the din of the party. Jasper had switched from the dance tracks to Robin Thicke. The mellow and seductive sounds of “Lost Without You” filled the room, and couples gravitated toward each other, holding on tight, some nearly shagging on the dance floor.

I knew it wasn’t a good idea. But I wanted to hold her again, just to feel her skin against mine before I had to let her go and put the mask on again.