Page 156 of Stormbreaker

“For you, I’ll make an exception.”

My face spreads into a wide grin as I spin and throw my arms around his neck.

“What did I tell you?” he says, still whispering into my ear, his warm breath pulling up shivers across my skin. “Nothing but trouble.”

I laugh and then lean against him as we move together.

“But we should get another drink!” I shout over the music, and he nods before following me to the bar.

With cocktails in hand, we return to dancing, our hips circling together as we lose ourselves in the music and the lights. I know Rook was worried, but everyone is too lost in their own fun, and no one is paying us any attention.

One song ends and another begins, this one pulsing with low, long beats that bring to mind heaving breaths and stolen moments in the dark.

Rook’s eyes blaze, green and gold melting together as he snakes a hand behind my head and drags me closer. Our mouths hover inches apart.

“I’m going to kiss you,” he says, then waits for me to nod before he presses his mouth to mine, his lips hot, his tongue searching. My limbs are soft, and my heart flutters wildly in my chest. He’s warm and hard, and his scent is addictive.

We dance for what feels like hours, his hands on my hips, sliding up my back, his mouth on mine. We drink. We laugh. And I want it to last forever.

The beat slows, dragging us once again together as my head tips against his chest. We’ve both had several drinks, and I’m starting to feel a little woozy.

I can sense his body soften, curling against me, easing into our warm cocoon.

“I’m sorry I’m a bit of a mess,” I say. A dizzy spell hits, and I canter to the left. But Rook catches me before I have a chance to go far.

“You’re beautiful,” he answers, burrowing a line of sunshine through my chest. My hands grip his biceps as my eyes flutter, and I hum a happy tune. This is what I needed. This was what I wanted tonight.

With my cheek pressed to Rook’s shoulder, my eyes slowly open, and then I catch a glimpse of Trinity standing at the edge of the crowd. She’s with her E-squad, and she’s watching us, her gaze darting between Rook and me, her lip curled in distaste.

My head snaps up.

She came here without me.

And her obvious judgment twists through my chest.

Suddenly, I don’t want to be here anymore.

“I need to go,” I say.

“What?” Rook asks as I push off him and start shoving through the crowd.

“Poet?” Trinity asks as I stumble past. “Where are you going?”

The dancing, intoxicated mass presses in around me as I jostle my way through.

“Move!” I shout before bursting through the edge and stumbling out the door to a blast of cold night air. I grab a railing for balance, inhaling deeply.

I make it to the bottom of the steps, nearly tumbling in my haste.

“Poet, what’s wrong?” Rook asks as he catches up.

I exhale a soft breath as my forehead tips against his chest.

He doesn’t say anything as I breathe against him, waiting for my pulse to slow. His arms slide around me, and I sag, seeking comfort in his strength. Suddenly, I’m exhausted.

“I think you’ve had enough. We should get you home.”

I nod. “I need to tell Dom and Journey.”