Eight
ELODIE
The music pulses through the room, a slow, seductive rhythm that vibrates deep in my chest, making my heart race. The lights are dimmed, casting everything in a soft, sultry glow. There’s a constant hum of voices around us, but for a moment, it’s just Kyle and me, wrapped up in each other on the dance floor. It’s a strange feeling, this sense of calm and peace amidst all the chaos of the gala.
I can’t believe I’m here, really here. A week ago, I never would have imagined myself at a Valentine’s Day party in New York City, surrounded by glitz and glamour, with Kyle by my side. Everything about tonight feels surreal. It’s like a scene from one of the romance novels I devour in my spare time, only it’s real, and it’s happening to me. And I got to meet Maria Dutton . Maybe I’ll get to be a character in one of her books.
The room is a whirlwind of shimmering lights, the soft click of heels on polished floors, and the murmur of conversations that flicker in and out of my awareness. I inhale deeply, the scent of rich, exotic perfumes. Around us, diamonds sparkle everywhere, each one more dazzling than the last. They catch the light in a way that feels almost magical, their brilliance enough to make me blink.
And yet, none of it holds my attention for long. My focus stays entirely on Kyle. He’s standing just a little too close, his hand at the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd, his thumb brushing lightly across the fabric of my dress. He’s so effortlessly confident in this world, so at home amidst the luxury, that it feels like he was born to be here. And somehow, here I am, with him, feeling both out of place and more like myself than I ever have before.
I’ve never been a dancer. I’ve always felt awkward on the dance floor, like everyone’s eyes are on me, judging my every move. But with Kyle? I can’t seem to care. His presence makes everything else fade into the background, like the noise of the world is muffled when I’m with him.
We sway together, slow and steady. The music is a soft ballad now, the kind that makes your body lean into someone else’s, the kind that makes your heart flutter in your chest. I’m so close to him now that the heat of his body warms more than my heart. Our movements sync. His eyes never leave mine, and for a moment, I forget where we are. I forget about the fancy dresses and the diamonds and the cameras flashing in the background. All that matters is him and the way he looks at me.
I want him. More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
I don’t just mean physically, though God, he’s gorgeous, and the way his body presses against mine is enough to send heat spiraling through me. No, I mean I want him in every way. I want to know everything about him, feel every part of him, understand the man behind the smiles and the polished exterior. I want to see if there’s more to him than the persona the world loves. I want to see him without the walls, the defenses he’s built up over the years.
But I also want him to kiss me. I want him to take that step, to close the distance between us, and for once, I want to feel like I’m the one he can’t resist.
I tilt my head back, staring up at him, waiting for some kind of sign. His fingers tighten around mine, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand in a slow, deliberate movement. His gaze is warm, almost searching, and I can tell that he’s thinking, contemplating.
“Kyle…” I whisper, not really sure what I want to say. But it’s like the moment calls for it. Like something has shifted, and neither of us can pretend that we don’t feel the tension building between us.
He leans down, his breath warm against my cheek, and I think for a second that he might kiss me right then and there. I hold my breath, anticipation building in my chest.
But he doesn’t.
Instead, he pulls back slightly, his hand still resting at my back. He looks at me, his expression a mix of something I can’t quite read, and then, with a quiet chuckle, he murmurs, “Let’s get out of here.”
I blink, surprised by his words. The gala is in full swing, people laughing and talking, the music swelling, but Kyle’s already turning toward the door, his hand still holding mine. There’s no hesitation, no second thoughts. He knows what he wants, and apparently, that’s me.
We move through the crowd quickly, but it feels like the world is moving in slow motion. Every step feels surreal, like I’m caught in a dream. He’s leading me away from all the people, the noise, the chaos, and I don’t care where we’re going anymore. All I know is that I’m with him.
The ride to the airport feels long, despite the fact that it’s only about thirty minutes. The tension between us is palpable, crackling in the space around us. Every time I glance at Kyle, I feel the weight of his eyes on me, like he’s waiting for me to make the next move, to give him some kind of signal.
I don’t know what to do. I’m caught between the urge to pull him closer and the fear that I’m moving too fast. My mind is a jumble of emotions. I don’t want to be that girl who jumps into something too quickly, but at the same time, I feel like if I don’t act now, I might lose him.
The limo slows as we pull up to the private jet, and I feel my stomach flip. Kyle helps me out of the car, his hand warm on my lower back as he guides me up the stairs. Inside the plane, it’s just the two of us, the hum of the engine and the soft clink of glassware the only sounds filling the silence. I sit down, trying to calm the fluttering in my chest, but everything feels heightened, intense, like I can’t escape the pull between us.
The plane takes off, and we settle back into our seats. The ride is smooth, the city lights slowly fading beneath us as we soar higher into the sky. For a while, we sit in silence, but it’s not uncomfortable. There’s something about the quiet between us that feels like a lull before the storm, like something is about to happen, but neither of us is ready to speak it aloud just yet.
I glance over at Kyle, his gaze already on me. I want to kiss him. I want to feel his lips against mine, to taste the sweetness of him and forget about everything else in the world.
Before I can think too much about it, he’s leaning in, his lips brushing softly against mine. It’s not a hard kiss, not full of the frantic passion I’m craving, but it’s enough to send a shiver down my spine. The moment feels intimate, like the world outside the plane no longer exists. It’s just him and me, our lips moving together slowly, a dance of its own.
When he pulls back, his breath is shallow, his chest rising and falling with every exhale. He looks at me, his gaze serious.
“Elodie,” he says, his voice rough with something I can’t quite define. “I don’t want to rush this. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
I nod, the knot in my stomach tightening. I don’t want to be vulnerable either, but I also don’t want him to hold back. I want him to take me, to make this moment everything I’ve ever dreamed of. And I know, deep down, that I’m ready for it.
I lean in closer, my hand finding his, and I give him a teasing smile. “You’re not taking advantage of me, Kyle. In fact, I think you should. I’ve been fantasizing about this for days now. Why don’t you make it a reality?”
His eyes widen, and for a split second, I think he might pull away. But then I tease him again, my voice light. “Consider it research for your next book. A real-life romance novel.”
The heat in his eyes sharpens, his gaze darkening with an intensity that makes my heart race. He leans in again, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that’s far deeper than the first. This time, there’s no hesitation, no pulling back. He takes what I’m offering, and I give it to him freely.