He said nothing but waited, letting expectation and inevitability speak for him. I should’ve resisted. Protested. Stuck to my guns and all that, but what I wanted more than anything was to be in Orion’s arms, so I let him pull me to my feet.
He encircled me around the waist, his other hand taking my left and laying it over his chest. His heartbeat was strong, steady. Not the rapid pounding that terrified me the other night. His cologne wafted over me, and his body, so close to mine, was like a promise of safety and protection as much as pure attraction. It took all my will, but I held myself apart, keeping some space between us. My one pathetic rebellion.
“This is a bad idea,” I said. “I’m not at your level, socially speaking.”
“I told you, I don’t care.”
“I do. I don’t want that kind of scrutiny.”
“You’re ashamed to be seen with me because I’m rich and popular? That’s one I’ve never heard before.”
I shook my head. “The bullying here is next level. I’d rather havea catfight. At least then it’s out in the open.”
Orion’s teasing expression vanished. “They’re not going to fuck with you again.”
“What are you going to do? Walk in front of me in the hallways all year? I don’t want you fighting my battles for me.”
“Then we’ll keep it on the down low,” he said with a shrug.
“You’d be okay with that?”
“Do I have a choice?” His gaze softened. “I just want to be with you.”
And that was the last straw. My head fell forward, onto his chest. “God, I’m such a sap.”
Orion chuckled. “Not even close, but we’ll get there.”
I turned and let my cheek rest over his heart. I melted against him, and the world with all its stress and tension melted away too. For a few precious moments, I just let myself exist in that perfect space, as he turned us in small, slow circles.
“For the record,” I said. “Being rich and popular are the least interesting things about you.”
“Oh yeah? Tell me more.”
“Tellyoumore aboutyou? Well, you’re extremely humble…”
“Obviously.”
“You’re a good person.”
“Am I?”
I nodded against the smooth silk of his suit jacket. “I think, sometimes, you try too hard to make everyone like you.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“Because you don’t have to try at all. You’re eminently likable. You have a good heart.”
“How do you know?”
“I can feel it. It pours out of you in everything you do. Your words. Your laugh. Your eyes. Most guys…they’re notbad, but they’re a dime a dozen. I would know. But you…”
It’s too much. Too good…
I pulled back. Orion’s dark eyes were liquid and rich in the dim light. He took my hand that was on his chest and encircled it tighter, clutching it. The arm around my waist tightened too, holding me closer.
“Don’t do that,” he said, his voice gruff.
“Do what?” I whispered back.
