I run a hand down the front of his leather jacket. “You could arrive in this, but I don’t think you’d get past the front doors. I mean, I have pull, but maybe not that much.”
Dax laughs. “Okay, you’re joking. I thought you were. You are, right?”
“I guess, as per usual, I’ll be escorted by LJ to keep the peace.”
“And who’s LJ?”
“The guy you thought was my boyfriend.”
Dax smirks. “Oh, the guy you kept flinging off you? Does he always grab you like that?”
“Pretty much. But I always see it coming.”
“I know I kissed you without warning, but I don’t like the thought of any guy touching you whenever he wants. He’s not also Prince Charming, is he?”
“One and the same.” I sigh. “It’d be beneficial to my family if I married him one day. That’s the level of romance I deal with when it comes to LJ.”
“Yikes.” Dax’s hand finds mine. “I can tell how much you hate the guy. I’d wear a tuxedo everyday if it kept you away from him.”
The image makes me laugh. “That would be a sight.”
He holds my hand tighter. “I mean it, though. You shouldn’t have to be with some guy just to make your parents happy.”
I lift my head. “Wait. Would you actually go to the gala?”
Dax caresses my cheek. “There’s that smile again. You only look happy in brief moments. If being at the gala will make you smile like this, I’ll be there, right beside you.”
I fall into him, wrapping my arms around him. “Oh my gosh, Dax. I have no idea how that would play out, and it’s exhilarating.”
Nine
Whyisitsocold? As soon as the thought hits my brain, my limbs spasm with shivers. My flesh is bumpy, and while my eyes are half-closed with sleep, I vigorously run my hands over my arms and legs.
Ugh. Why do I feel coarse, sandy dirt?
“Ahh!” it screams out of me as I jolt to sit up.
My heart jumps out of my chest as the warm glow from the emerging sunrise highlights the surrounding view.
A groggy moan sounds beside me, and Dax rises with a yawn and a stretch.
“Not a morning person, princess?” he asks with a smirk.
I plant a hand on my chest and exhale hard. “I forgot where I was. I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep.”
Dax yawns again, running a hand over his mess of coffee-colored hair. “Yeah, me neither. All that talking last night took a toll.”
“Bored you?”
Dax chuckles. “No. It was intense.”
“Oh.” I smooth my hand over my hair and instantly blush. What must I look like?
As I feverishly comb my fingers through my hair, Dax gently touches my hand.
“Don’t panic,” he whispers. “You still look beautiful.”
“Oh.” I smile nervously as my blush intensifies. I run my hands down the skirt of my dress, noticing the dirt marks on the white material.
