Page 3 of Allegiant

Who does that?

Still, the red flag isn’t deterring me in the slightest.

Even without that thing, he would’ve caught my eye. He’s built exactly how I like my bed partners. Tall, dark, and with enough danger to make a sensible man think twice.

I am not a sensible man.

Sharp brown eyes assess me over high cheekbones as I continue to dance. Dark stubble covers his strong jaw, outlining full lips that are begging to be kissed.

My dance partner spins me to face him. I wind my arms around his neck, letting the beat guide me. But the blood rushing south has nothing to do with the man I’m pressed up against.

And everything to do with the one watching me from the edge of the floor. The one who hasn’t taken his eyes off me all night.

Looks like I’ve found my next form of distraction.

I love that. It helps me keep my mind off of other things. Things I can’t control, things that have happened without my knowledge.

Sweat drips down my neck, but I don’t stop dancing. How can I, with such a captivated audience?

Our eyes meet briefly, and a smirk lifts my lips as I quickly twist away. God, the rush this is giving me. It’s almost enough to make me forget.

Almost.

The tension builds as I continue to move, and he continues to watch me. I let it rise until it’s almost unbearable. Only then do I push away from my partner.

I meet the stranger’s eyes directly and smile invitingly.

I stalk from the dance floor, heading to the bar. My favorite bartender serves me immediately, probably thanks to the cookies I regularly supply him with. With a spritzer in hand, I make my way to the back room. I don’t bother to check if the man is following.

I know he is.

“Rowan.” Storm straightens as I approach the counter, grinning. “It’s been a while, man.”

My chest aches. It has. But things have to move on.

I have to move on.

I just wish I knew how.

“It has. It’s long past time I show everyone how it’s done.”

A dimple appears in his cheek. “Humble as ever.”

I slap his hand. “Why be humble when I can be fabulous instead?”

“Never change,” he says, handing over the tote. “Always makes me happy to see your smiling face.”

That’s me, spreading sunshine wherever I go.

So long as no one learns the truth I’m hiding, I’ll be golden.

I sense my stalker behind me as I stop at the end of my usual lane. Dropping the tote on the ground, I decide to ignore him a little while longer, give him a show while he waits. I think he’ll like that.

He seems like a man who enjoys watching.

I slip into another realm as I let weapon after weapon fly. I start with axes before moving to the knives. One after another, they hit the targets with the accuracy Adam drilled into me.

My hand tightens around the handle of the final blade as I’m assaulted by countless memories. His rough Southern drawl as he teased me for my poor aim. The grudging praise as I improved. The feel of his hand on my shoulder as he showed me the proper positioning.