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The music was louder over here, so we didn’t talk. I just danced with a nameless stranger.
He was a gentleman. Didn’t try to touch anything he shouldn’t. Not that I thought he would. I wasn’t sure why I was hyperaware of things he shouldn’t touch, but I was.
And he didn’t.
When the song ended, he said, “Want to get a drink?”
“I’m not drinking tonight.”
“Oh?”
“Last night’s mixture had a detrimental effect.”
“Yeah, that stuff was brutal. Can’t blame you.”
“What’s your name?”
“Leif. You?”
“Daphne.”
“Nice to meet you, Daphne.”
“You too.”
“I’ll get you a virgin.”
My brows nearly flew off my forehead. “A what?”
“A virgin drink. You know, no alcohol?”
“Oh. Yeah, thanks.”
What was wrong with me? I had virgin on the brain. I felt like it was stamped across my forehead in big red letters.
Leif returned with two drinks and handed me one.
“Thanks,” I said.
“You’re welcome. What’s your major?”
Classic college question. To which I had no answer. “I’m not sure yet. I’m going to get all my requirements out of the way this year and see what interests me the most.”
“You must be interested in something.”
Was I? I used to enjoy writing, but I got out of the habit when I lost so much time during junior year. Writing was difficult when you couldn’t remember parts of your own life.
“English, I think,” I said. “Maybe philosophy. How about you?”
“Engineering. It’s a five-year program, so I’ll be here an extra year.”
“Oh. Interesting.” Though it really wasn’t.
“My father and my older brother are both engineers. It’s what’s expected.”
“Do you want to be an engineer?”
“Doesn’t really matter what I want.”
“Of course it matters.”
He laughed and took a drink. “Dad’s paying the bills, so I study what he wants. That’s the deal.”
“What if that weren’t the deal?” I asked.
“It is.”
“But if it weren’t, what would you study?”
“Science.”
“What kind of science.”
“Biology. Zoology. I’d like to be a veterinarian.”
“Then that’s what you should be.”
He scoffed. “Not in the cards.”
“It should be.”
“It’s not. Want to dance again?”
“No,” a voice said from behind me. “The next dance is mine.”
Chapter Fourteen
Brad
Jealousy raged through me. I’d expected to find Daphne with Prince Charles. That was who she’d said her plans were with, but he was across the room making out with a blonde. This guy was new.
She’d lied to me.
“Who are you?” the sandy-haired guy asked.
“Brad Steel. Let’s dance, Daphne.”
“I—”
I pulled her away before she could finish. Her drink sloshed as we walked swiftly out of the crowded lounge and outside. Darkness had fallen, and stars dotted the night sky. I grabbed the red cup out of her hand. “You’re drinking? After last night?”
“It’s virgin,” she said.
I sniffed it and took a drink. She was right.
“You have to be careful,” I said. “Those guys in there will try to get you drunk and then…”
“And then…what? I’m eighteen. I can take care of myself.”
God, she was beautiful. So beautiful, and so naïve. I was only four years older, but those four years made all the difference.
If anyone hurt her…
If anyone hurt her…what? What would I do about it, and why should I even care?
But I did. I fucking cared. Protecting Daphne was of paramount importance to me, and I had no idea why.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
I didn’t answer. I simply poured out what was left in her cup onto the ground. “This was spiked.”
Why I lied, I had no idea.
“No. He said it was virgin.”
“He’s a guy, Daphne. Guys will try to get you drunk so they can fuck you.”
Her mouth dropped open.
Yeah, so naïve.
“He seemed perfectly nice. He’s studying to be an engineer.”
“I don’t care if he’s studying to be a brain surgeon. He’s still a college guy.”
“So are you,” she said.
“I’m…different.”
“How, Brad? You had another girl at your place last night, so just how are you different?”
Her lips were glistening, her beautiful dark eyes burned. She was angry at me, justifiably angry. I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed her, pulled her to my body, and crushed my lips to hers.
She didn’t open. I traced her lips with the tip of my tongue and gently probed at the seam.
Then I pulled back slightly. “Please,” I whispered. “Open for me, Daphne. Let me show you what a real kiss is.”
She sighed and parted her lips.
I forced back my instinct to dive into her mouth and explore. Instead, I entered slowly, gently, finding her tongue and touching it with mine.
Had this beautiful woman ever been kissed? Really kissed? I hoped she hadn’t. We’d shared a short one last night, but I wanted to be the one to show her what a kiss truly was, what a kiss could be.
What love could be.
Her tongue was even silkier than I remembered, warm and soft against my own. I tasted the traces of her fruity drink plus another lingering sweetness. A sweetness that was all her.
She sighed into my mouth, a soft noise that I felt through my whole body.
