52. Natalie

Chapter 52

Natalie

I rock with Luke.

My back to his front, his large hands gripping my hips.

It’s hot.

His body is hot.

And I’d rather melt into nothingness than step away.

He holds me tighter as we move with the music.

And I can feel him. Like feel him against my ass.

The music vibrates through us, and my head lolls against him. My eyes are still closed, like they have been for the last several minutes. Maybe longer.

The hands on my hips move, sliding to my belly. One slides up so it’s just under my breasts.

Luke makes a noise that sounds like a groan, and I get it.

I don’t know how long we’ve been here, but the desire to have more of him is itching at my skin.

“Luke.” His name comes out as a plea.

A sweaty temple presses against mine. “I think we need to leave soon.”

I nod, agreeing.

That slushie, mixed with the champagne, tipped me past my limit. And the haze of pot smoke that filled the room a while ago has blurred the rest of my sobriety.

I’m not mad about it.

Not at all.

Because right now, I feel like the best dancer in the world. And with Luke wrapped around me, I feel like I can take on the world.

He makes me feel safe.

But I know we need to leave this place soon so I can properly enjoy the man, and the length, behind me.

I take a deep inhale, ready to pull away from Luke’s grip, when a voice stops me.

“Beautiful people!” the DJ shouts into his mic. “How you feelin’?”

Everyone cheers.

I smile and think the word good while Luke whistles.

“It’s time.”

At the DJ’s announcement, the crowd cheers again. Louder than before.

I continue rocking with Luke, who’s still swaying behind me, holding me tightly.

The music hasn’t stopped, but the DJ quieted it just enough for him to be understood.

“Face your partner.”

It takes me a second to understand the DJ’s direction.

Maybe this is turning into a line dance.

Luke’s still holding me tightly, so I reach down and start to pry his hands free.

“Where do you think you’re going, Princess?” His words are thick against my ear.

He sounds the way I feel. Really good.

Heat fills me, and I miss the next thing the DJ says. But then Luke loosens his grip enough for me to turn and face him.

“Keep those bodies moving, side to side,” the DJ tells us.

I can’t focus on the whole crowd, but the people next to us are doing the same thing.

I press my hands flat against Luke’s chest.

“I like this part,” I say to him.

Luke leans closer. “What’d you say?”

I tap my fingers on his firm pecs. “I like this part of you.”

The man smirks as he flexes his chest. “I like you liking it.”

“Tell your partner you love them,” the DJ says.

Luke’s smirk pulls into a devious grin. “I love you, Green Eyes.”

He just says it.

So easily.

Like he means it.

The hummingbird in my chest wraps her wings around my heart and squeezes.

I can feel my blush, but it’s so warm and dark in here that I hope Luke can’t see it.

He wiggles his brows, his happy expression going nowhere as he urges me to say it back.

I curl my hands into his shirt. “I love you, Mr. Muscles.”

The crowd keeps swaying, the synchronized dance easy but fun.

“Now tell them you’ll be true. That your ho era is over.”

Laughter bubbles across the room.

I tug on Luke’s shirt, making him bend closer. “My ho era is over. Yours better be too, Player.”

Humor and something softer cover Luke’s features. “I only have eyes for you.” He slides his hands up and down my sides. “My pretty Little Royal.”

We’re already closing the distance between us when the DJ speaks again, something more about happiness.

Luke presses his lips gently against mine.

Then the DJ shouts, “Now make out like you mean it!”

There is no time to smile. And no need to be told twice.

Our mouths open, and I slide my hands up and around the back of Luke’s neck.

The haze consumes me, consumes us, as his tongue presses into my mouth.

He tastes so good. Like strawberries and champagne.

I love you.

I hold him tighter.

I want to hear him say it again.

I want him to say it because he means it.

Emotion tries to strangle me, so I open my mouth farther.

Luke groans against my mouth, and I can’t stand it anymore.

I need him.

Naked and inside me.

I pull back enough to pant, “Take me to the hotel.”

Luke’s fingers dig into my side as his hooded eyes stare into mine. “Whatever my Princess wants, my Princess gets.”

God, I really might love this fool.

Luke straightens, and with the distance, we both notice all the people still making out around us.

Luke widens his eyes at me. “Probably good to get out of here before this turns into an orgy.”

I nod. “That’s not really my thing.”

He slides one of his hands down and cups my ass. “No one sees you naked but me.”

My hummingbird plucks a feather out of her wing and fans herself with it.

Why is possessiveness so hot?

Luke takes my hand and pulls us back the way we came.

My steps aren’t straight.

But neither are his.