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I shifted in my heels, turning to Ty. “So…do you want to sit?”
His lips tipped down as if he didn’t like the idea. He glanced at the dance floor. “We can, if you want. But I’d be honored if you would dance with me instead.”
I tilted my head, surprised. “Since when do you dance?”
He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’ve learned all kinds of things, El.” His gaze darkened mischievously and before I could say no, he grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the dance floor.
I yelped as he pulled me in close. “Ty,” I hissed, trying to pull away, but he wouldn’t let me. “You might know how to dance, but I don’t.”
Ty winked. “Just let me lead you.”
I was reluctant at first, but he was so insistent; his face bright and happy, I gave in. He placed one hand on my lower back. My pulse quickened as he held up our clasped hands. I glanced up into his face, nervous as he started to move. We glided around the dance floor, me following his lead in slow, but fluid movements. My heart raced as we moved, our eyes locked. I’d never danced like this before. It was entrancing. The exact opposite of when I danced with Callen that night in a crowd of drunken people. Ty’s hands didn’t move, but he felt intimately close, his hand heavy on my lower back. Then, he twirled me and I couldn’t help but laugh. It had been a long time since I’d laughed in the presence of Tyson Ranes, but it felt so good. I didn’t want to stop. He smiled too, a quiet knowing grin.
It was almost like we were kids again, playing prince and princess. I let all of my worry and stress melt away as we danced, forgetting everyone else in the room. Nothing existed but him and me.
I didn’t count how many songs we danced to, but eventually, we needed a break. My feet grew sore and even though I was having the time of my life, Ty dragged us to the tables at the edge of the ballroom.
I didn’t realize how fast my heart was beating until I sat down. When Ty didn’t sit next to me, I glanced at him curiously.
“Can I get you a drink?” he asked. His chest was rising and falling more rapidly than usual and I noticed he was favoring one leg slightly. I frowned, wondering if his injured knee was bothering him.
“I can get the drinks, if you want,” I offered, but before I could get up he was already walking away, calling over his shoulder, “I got it. I’ll surprise you.”
I leaned back in my chair, watching him walk away with a hardly noticeable limp. I’m sure someone who didn’t know him well enough wouldn’t be able to tell, but I could. A twinge of guilt hit my chest. We shouldn’t have danced so long.
“You are a popular girl, ain’t ya?”
Adrenaline spiked as I looked up into the face of Callen. He was glaring at Ty’s back as he disappeared through the crowd.
I reached to fiddle with a lock of hair, forgetting I’d put it all up into a braided bun. My hand fell limp in my lap. “You should stay away from me, Callen,” I warned.
He glanced down, a brow arched. “Wanna be feisty with me?”
I gritted my teeth. “You need to just leave me alone. If you don’t stop with all your shit, I’m going to end up going to the police.”
His face reddened and he reached for me, wrapping a large hand around my upper arm and squeezing so tight I winced. “What the hell is your damn problem, huh?”
Fear pulsed through me as I tried to pull away. “Let me go.Now.”
But he didn’t. I glanced around me, frantic, as fear shot through my veins. No one was paying attention to us sitting alone in the corner of the room. I wondered how long it would take Ty to come back with our drinks, and my eyes snagged on him. He wasn’t far away, but he was in a conversation with someone. A small, blonde someone.
A pang shot through my chest at the sight of him, grinning and laughing with her. Who knew how long it would take him to get back to me, if he managed it at all. One thing about Tyson was he would drop anything for a cute girl. Even me. It looked like not much had changed the last three years.
A wave of heat crept up my neck and another shot of pain zipped from the vice grip Callen had on my arm.
I stared into Callen’s face, red with anger. “I said,” my voice low and as threatening as I could make it. “Let me go.”
He started to lean toward me, opening his mouth to say something, but I wasn’t having it. I lifted my foot as high as my tight dress would allow and slammed my pointed, stiletto heel as hard into his foot as possible.
He jerked back with a cry, letting go of me and I rushed away from the table. I rubbed my sore arm as the tears came. I needed to get out of here. Fast. Before Callen could recover, I ran from the room, heading toward the back entrance that was hidden behind some white, flowy curtains.
I was gone in an instant.
