Page 32 of She is the Darke
She stood and leaned over the table, tried to look serious as she said, “Don’t get seduced.”
His eyes sparked with hunger. “Can’t promise you that.”
“Prepare your boner,” she joked, pointing at him.
“Oh, it is prepared. Has been since you enunciated the word “gyrating”.
Okay, she loved his sense of humor and quick wit. He didn’t miss a beat when they were bantering. Butterflies flapping in her middle, she took a healthy swig of her Halloween-themed orange beer, and then she adjusted her mask, tightening the ties in the back as she made her way toward Rachel.
And then they did their usual—which consisted of the dumbest, goofiest dance moves they could think up. It wasalways like this—a near competition for the worst and silliest dance moves. Who cared who was watching? Most of the time people around them joined in, because they didn’t take themselves too seriously, and that culture was catching.
They danced through a full song, and then Rachel grabbed her hands and said, “I’ll be right back!” over the sound of the guitar intro.
“Where are you going?” she asked as her friend bustled off. Halfway off the dance floor, Rachel threw a fake punch at her brother. He ducked it, grinning, and then pointed at Demi.
Excitement flooded her. Oooh, Rachel was giving him a turn to dance. Best. Friend. Ever!
He did a goofy little side-scuffle move, closing the distance between them, and she threw her head back, laughing. A man who could hang with her goofy moves was downright sexy. And she could tell he could dance. He went smoothy from one move to another as he approached, even throwing a spin in there, and had great rhythm. She began answering his moves with her own interpretations, and went with it when he grabbed her hand and spun her out. He brought her back in, released her, and maneuvered into the next dance move. The silliness was wearing off as they locked eyes more and more, slowing down with the new, slower, hard-hitting song. He touched her hands more, pulling her this way and that as she danced. Oh, he was really good, and she let herself be led. Another spin out, and then he pulled her against him. He spun her around to watch the band, and her shoulder blades rested against his strong chest. His hands went to her waist as they did a simple dance to the rhythm of the drumbeat. His big hands were gentle on her hips as he guided her left, then right, and back again. The smoke machine was going, and the flashing purple-and-orange lights blocked out some of the other dancers. She was getting lost in this moment with Tyler.
The song ended, and the girl guitarist stepped forward and took lead vocals, and it was slower, with such raw emotion. “This band is awesome,” she called over the music, turning in his arms. She froze at how handsome he looked, staring down at her with such softness in his eyes, like she was special.
She knew it was going to happen. She could see his intention in the way his gaze dipped to her lips, and his hand moved from her waist to the side of her neck. His thumb rested on her jawline, and he tilted her head back farther as a wicked smile stretched his lips.
As he leaned down, she closed her eyes, ready. And as his lips touched hers, she slid her arms around his neck and pushed up on her tiptoes to lean into the kiss better.
The kiss deepened immediately. Whatever he’d intended to do with the beginnings of that gentle kiss, he lost control of it fast. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, and his lips moved against hers so intensely. His hand gripped the side of her throat, and he dragged her more tightly against his body.
Every cell inside of her felt alive right now. Electrified, almost. Every fiber in her being reached for him, and she got drunk off his warmth and the power of his body against hers. He bobbed with the new beat of the chorus, and ended the kiss. He eased back and pulled her palm against his chest. His heart was pounding so fast. He gave her a devilish smile and spun her out, brought her back, and turned her back to him. They danced like that as they watched the band. His lips brushed the side of her neck, and God, she’d never been more turned on in her life.
This man was smooth, and knew exactly how to touch her.
She pushed off and danced away from him, then returned as he did his thing, hungry eyes on her. Always on her.
“Food’s here, lovebirds,” someone said near them. It was Griffin.
It took the length of the dance floor, as they made their way back to the table, to come back to this world. Everything was fuzzy, and her body was buzzing. Demi had to really focus to answer Rachel’s basic question, “Can I have your pickles?”
“I don’t know why you even ask anymore,” she said, sinking down in the seat next to her as Tyler sat across from her, next to Griffin. “You’ve owned all my pickles since we were in sixth grade.”
“Yeah, well, I’m trying to convince this spicy meatball that I have manners,” she said, gesturing to Griffin.
Griffin took a bite of his burger and shook his head. “I like crazy girls. You don’t have to use manners.”
“Well, at least he’s honest,” Demi murmured to herself.
“Okay, dream-boy. You’re in luck, because I’m extra crazy.”
“Perfect,” Griffin said around a bite.
Tyler was quiet, just eating his food, but his leg was resting against Demi’s under the table again.
“Hey Demi, remember that one time you impregnated the entire dance floor with your sexy dance moves?” Rachel asked. She wrenched up her voice. “With mybrother! I got video. So gross.”
“Why do you take videos of everything?” Tyler asked. “It’s weird.”
“Blackmail videos don’t just take themselves, Tyler.”
As Tyler and Rachel traded shots, Demi had a moment. She looked around at all the Halloween decorations, the fog machine, the Halloween lights, and everyone dressed in masks, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun.