He was behind me, close enough that I could feel the heat of his body. Those hands of his hovered over my hips, teasing me with his presence. Even covered by a mask I could see the coy grin playing on his lips. I fought an arch in my back as I caught my breath in my throat, he brought the mask dangerously close, grazing my ear.

“Dance with me,” he had a low sultry tone, commanding a dance with me.

I couldn’t say anything—I didn’t trust the adrenaline in my veins. I let him move closer, his hands snaking low on my hips in a firm grip, our bodies synching up. I felt the magnetic pull between us once more, just like it was when he was in my bedroom.

The scent of him—a mix of leather, smoke, and something uniquely Brent—filled my senses. Despite everything, I couldn't help but lean into it. I hated myself for it, wanting to tell him no.

I hated how easily he affected me. How easily he made me forget the darkness with a single touch or the way he gripped my hips.

“Why are you doing this?” I whispered low enough so only the two of us could hear. It was heavier in meaning. Why me? Why did I get dragged into this mess? Why did he make me feel things I didn’t want to?

His hands dragged upwards, grazing across my stomach as we swayed. I fought back a shiver from his touch, the feeling of his body on mine, the way his hands moved on my naked body clear as day in my mind. “I can’t help myself with you, Blondie.”

I let him sway with me a moment longer, feeling the blissful buzz of the alcohol shoo away my clarity of mind.

But reality had other plans.

“I got your message,” he breathed, low and soothing while his hands roamed my body to the rhythm of the music. “Want to chat by the bar?”

Yes, get me out of here. I nodded before he took my hand and led me from the group of moving bodies to a more secluded spot. Kelly was still having a blast, feeling herself on the dance floor, and letting her inhibitions fall away.

“There’s some really screwed up crap happening,” I groaned when he brought me to a corner void of people. His body closed in on me, one hand going to the wall as he grazed the other up my side.

His breathing was heavy behind the mask, his chest rising and falling from dancing a while. “Before we get into it, I want to let you know that you look so fucking incredible. God...” his voice was so low, almost possessive while he searched for words. “You are an absolutely stunning woman.”