Legend’s lips twitch, but they never fully form a smile. More like a flash of joviality that he doesn’t want me to see.
His head tips back and he looks down his handsomely rugged nose at me. “Maybe it’s for you.”
God, he’s sexy, and all the oxygen in my blood feels like it’s been swapped out with helium. I’m practically levitating.
“Then make it a double.”
He nods at Astra, and she leaves with our shared order.
“Did someone say dancing?” Monroe slides in beside me, and Legend releases his hold on my hand. “Because I am totally here for that.”
I suck in a breath, almost thankful for the interruption. Because,my God, he’s intense. The relief doesn’t last long, though, before I already want more of him. More of whatever it was that happened when he touched me.
Harlow shimmies up to my other side. “Hell yeah. Let’s shake our asses, ladies!” She grabs Kelsey by the arm, and the three of them make their way toward the stairs leading down to the dance floor.
Astra returns in moments, saving me from standing frozen in the same spot for too long. “Your drinks.”
I hand off the empty champagne flute and accept the whiskey. Before I can think about what I’m doing, I tap my glass to his and whisper, “To an unforgettable night. For both of us.”
He doesn’t reply except for a dip of his chin.
With a smile, I tip back the whiskey, embracing the heat as it slides down my throat. “Seven Sinners. My favorite.”
“You know your whiskey,” he says after taking a drink.
“I have so much random knowledge, it would blow your mind, Mr. Legend.”
“Just Legend. Or Gabe. I’m no mister anything,” he says, correcting me before taking another sip.
I roll the glass between my palms and take advantage of how close we are, committing every scar and imperfection on his gorgeous face to memory.
“Scarlett!” We both look to the stairs as Monroe calls my name and waves. “Let’s do this!”
I swallow the remainder of my whiskey before handing the glass off to Astra. She takes Legend’s as well, and then he holds out his arm.
“After you, Scarlett.”
I love how he calls me by my first name. Everywhere I go, I’m treated like I deserve some measure of respect I haven’t earned yet. At work, it’s Ms. Priest this. On the street or in a store, it’s Ms. Priest that. Hearing him call me Scarlett is intimate, as if he doesn’t give a damn about my clout or fame. Only my friends call me Scarlett, and I love that he’s chosen to do it too.
Can I just be me with him?
I don’t get a chance to dive down that mental rabbit hole before I step forward and his hand settles lightly on the small of my back. It burns through the fabric of my red dress, heating me from the outside in, finishing the job of the whiskey.
Whatever happens tonight, I will never forget exactly how I feel right now.
Anticipation fizzes through me as we walk down the stairs, his hand now gripping my arm to steady me. I can’t tell you if I’m floating down those stairs, not making contact with a single tread, because my head is so far in the clouds, my feet can’t even reach the ground.
And I love it.
Just like it did before, the crowd parts for him, and we follow Monroe, Kelsey, and Harlow to the center of the marble dance floor where waitresses in sharp black crop tops, skirts, and thigh-high boots circle us with trays of shots. Monroe dives right in, dropping bills on one tray before passing out shots to all of us.
Legend shakes his head, but that doesn’t stop the four of us girls from tipping back the sweet concoctions and finding the beat.
Harlow and Monroe bust into their signature moves, which are guaranteed to get the attention of every man with a pair of eyes. Kelsey was born with rhythm and gives a shimmy-shake before joining Harlow and Monroe in their swaying and spinning.
That’s when I remember that I need alotmore alcohol before I’m going to be able to cut loose from the block of ice I’ve suddenly become. I don’t want to look stupid in front of this man.
Oh my God. Chadwick was right. I am a prude. I can’t even dance without overthinking it. And here I am, pretending I’m some femme fatale who can possibly tempt a man who is utterly and completely beyond my experience.