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I smirk at her, and for a second, I wonder how she’d respond if she found out that the way she says my name instantly makes me hard. It has for years. Would her face flush in anger? Would her breathing quicken in that way it does right before she snaps at me?
“Celeste.”
She grits her teeth, and I try my hardest not to smile as I take her glass away and hand it to one of our servers. “I don’t trust you with this. You look like you were about to steal it.”
“Steal it?” she repeats, her anger mounting. It’s such a beautiful sight. “Do I look like some kind of petty thief to you?”
“No, Celeste,” I tell her, my heart racing. “You look fuckingbreathtakingtonight.”
Her eyes widen, and I realize I’ve caught her off guard. I’ve always loved the way her eyes darken when I infuriate her, but I think I might love this even more. The way her lips part, her disdain for me momentarily draining away… yeah, that’s fucking intoxicating.
“Very funny,” she says eventually, her guarded expression slipping back into place. For a moment, I’m certain I see a hint of disappointment in her eyes — almost like she’s let herself down by believing my words, however briefly.
I offer her my hand, and she stares at it in confusion. “What?” I ask, my tone provocative. “Did you forget how to dance? You were so good at it on prom night.”
“Of course I know how to dance,” she snaps, her cheeks reddening beautifully. “I just don’t want to dance withyou.”
I smile at her, unable to help myself. Does the mention of prom fluster her? Does the memory of it make her heart race the way it does mine? “Oh really? I thought I saw Tommy heading your way, but I guess you don’t need my help,” I lie. Tommy, who’s had a crush on her all our lives, is not allowed anywhere near any of my hotels — but she doesn’t need to know that.
“What?” She hastily places her hand in mine as her gaze darts around us.
I nod solemnly as I pull her into a dance. “I’ll shield you, but you’ll owe me one.”
My arms wrap around her waist, and she slides her hands up my chest until she’s got them wrapped around the back of my neck. It’s surreal how perfectly she fits against me, and I can’t resist pulling her closer than necessary.
She raises a brow and looks up at me as I slowly guide her through our dance, my body rocking against hers with every move. It’s a soothing rhythm, yet it sets my soul on fire. I’ve got her so close, but it’s nowhere near close enough. The way she feels against me is intoxicating, and fuck, I need more of her.
“You really do look stunning tonight, Celeste,” I murmur, the words leaving my lips without conscious thought.
Her eyes widen, and then she huffs. “While most of the women in your life might appreciate your white lies and attempts to charm, Idon’t. You forget that I’ve seen the endless parade of girlfriends you went through in high school. I know exactly what your idea of beauty is, and I’m well aware it isn’t me. Stop messing with me.”
I spread my palm across her lower back, and slowly slide the other up her spine until I’ve got it nestled in her long hair. “Girlfriends, hmm?” I repeat, a hint of anger manifesting in my voice. “And here I thought you knew me better than anyone else, Celeste. I’ve never called anyone mine.”
Her disarmed expression warms my heart, and I smirk when she stumbles a little, taking it as an opportunity to hold her closer. “You’re still as clumsy as you are beautiful,” I whisper.
She looks into my eyes, her lips parting a little when I tighten my grip on her hair, unable to suppress my need for her. I’m trapped in her gaze, feeling more vulnerable than I ever have before. All our lives, I’ve hidden what I feel for her, but the years she was away from me tore down my defenses.
One of her hands slips down to my chest, and I glance at her yellow nails. “What is it called?” I ask without thinking, involuntarily revealing my obsession with her.
She blinks in confusion. “I’m sorry, I don’t follow,” she replies, sounding breathless.
I smile and ball my hand into a fist, gripping her hair harder. “The nail polish. What are you wearing tonight, Celeste?”
Pure disbelief flickers through her gorgeous eyes, and fuck if the way she looks at me doesn’t make my cock twitch. “H-how do you know about that?”
I grin as I move my hand on her back just a touch lower before pulling her against me harder, making her feel exactly how she’s affecting me. My lips brush against her ear as I lean in. “I’ve watched you for years, Celeste. How could I not know?”
Her gaze is heated when I straighten, her cheeks perfectly rosy. She’s never looked more beautiful. “Tell me. What is your nail polish called?”
Celeste bites her lip for a moment, and then she smiles. “I Just Can’t Cope Acabana.”
I burst out laughing, drawing curious glances from those around us, and she grins back at me. “You can’t cope, huh? With what? Being back? Seeing me?”
“You’re still as big-headed as ever,” she says, but there’s no malice in her words this time. “My world doesn’t revolve around you, Zane.”
“Is that why I caught you trying to steal one of my champagne glasses? Because you weren’t at all interested in the way I run this hotel?”
She throws me a glare and pushes against my chest in warning. “I wasnottrying to stealanything!”
