fourtyfour
Leo's POV
The Delta house is already loud by the time I get there-
bass vibrating the sidewalk, people spilling onto the porch, neon lights pulsing through the windows.
Caleb slaps my shoulder as we walk in.
"Z and Liya are on their way," he says. "Prepare yourself. They looked... dangerous."
I raise an eyebrow.
"Dangerous?"
He just smirks.
"You'll see."
Before I can question him, Zaria texts him:
Zaria:
WE'RE OUTSIDE
DO NOT LET YOUR BOY EMBARRASS US
Caleb groans. "She's talking about you."
"She's always talking about me."
We head toward the entrance-
-and then the crowd parts
just enough
for me to see her.
And everything in my chest
stops.
?
She looks unreal.
She's wearing a tiny, silky, figure-hugging champagne dress that hits mid-thigh-
glowy, soft, showing off every curve she has.
Her curls are glossy and perfect, cascading around her face.
Her lip gloss shines.
Her thighs look incredible.
Her brown skin is glowing under the porch lights like it was made for them.
And she's smiling at something Zaria said-
a small, soft, sweet smile that hits me so hard I forget how to breathe.
She glances up
sees me across the yard-
and her smile turns shy.
Like she knows she's ruining me.
Because she is.
She absolutely is.
I walk toward her slowly, crowd fading around us.
She looks me over-
black fitted tee, chain, low-slung jeans, fresh cut-
and bites her lip.
That little lip bite?
Yeah.
I feel it in my soul.
"Wow," she whispers when I get close.
"Wow?" I echo, stepping in front of her.
She nods, cheeks warming.
"You look... really good."
"You look," I say honestly, voice low,
"fucking unreal."
Her eyes flick down my chest, then back up.
Zaria fans herself next to her.
"I TOLD YOU SHE WAS GORGEOUS."
Caleb sighs dramatically.
"They're disgusting. They're in love. I hate it here."
Zaria hits him.
I barely hear them.
Because all I see is her.
?
We walk through the house together.
I put my hand on the small of her back
and she leans into me just slightly.
Subtle.
Natural.
Perfect.
And I swear-
heads turn.
Girls whisper.
Guys stare at her for too long.
Someone elbows his friend like "THAT'S the girl from Leo's post."
Someone else mutters, "Damn... they look GOOD together."
Liya tucks a curl behind her ear, pretending she doesn't notice.
But she does.
I do too.
I lean down to whisper in her ear:
"They're staring."
She shrugs softly.
"Let them."
My jaw tightens.
A guy across the room is looking at her like he's debating introducing himself.
I shoot one look his way.
He spins around so fast he nearly drops his drink.
Liya glances up at me, amused.
"Leo."
"What," I say, sipping my drink.
"You're scaring people."
"Only the ones looking at you too long."
She laughs-soft and warm-and slides her fingers into mine.
Not clingy.
Not showy.
Just... hers.
Claiming me back.
My chest warms.
?
She pulls me to the dance floor.
Not even with words-
just a tug of my hand and I follow like it's gravity.
Music thumps.
Lights flicker.
She turns around, pressing her back lightly into my chest as we move to the beat.
And that's it.
That's the moment I cease to function as a normal human.
Her hips swaying.
Her dress hugging every curve.
Her perfume hitting my throat.
Her laughter mixing with the music.
My hands slide to her waist automatically, steady, slow.
She leans back.
I swear I see stars.
"You okay?" she teases.
"No," I say honestly.
She laughs and tilts her head so her cheek brushes mine.
"I like dancing with you," she whispers.
I tighten my grip.
"Yeah," I murmur.
"Me too."
?
Later, when we step onto the cool porch for air, she looks up at me.
Warm lights hitting her skin.
Gloss smeared from dancing.
Dress clinging to her in a way that makes my whole body lose composure.
"You having fun?" I ask.
She nods.
"Yeah."
"Because of me?" I tease.
She smiles softly.
"No. Because I'm with you."
My heart stops.
I lean down-
just a breath away from her lips-
"You're mine," I whisper.
She whispers back: