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‘Yes, let’s’ He grinds the words out, shifting his ar my hand

I’hts of stairs and to the bar where Gregory orders two chanes In the short time that we’ve been away, the at to move to the round dance floor, drinks in hand The music seems louder, too, and there’s definitely a shift in the reserved environne flows freely – and for free – and Daft Punk, featuring Pharrell Williaory doesn’t pass me just a flute this time It’s a shot, and my eyes dart to his ‘Come on,’ he pleads

My reluctance is clear I’ve had a few glasses of chaht to start throwing shots down’

‘Co happen, Livy,’ he assures lass and knock it with his before tipping the contents down my throat The burn is instant and so is the reasp and sla the ne ‘That was nasty’

‘That was tequila, but you forgot the salt and lee of fresh le the back of his hand, sprinkling the salt, licking again, downing the liquid, and sinking his teeth into the wedge ‘It’s much better this way’

‘You should’ve stoppedto rid ive hs ‘Let’s do another’ He orders another and this ti’s lead

I shudder at the lingering flavour, but then I’ for a whole other reason when a familiar beat takes over the current track I instantly look to see Gregory’s wide, delighted eyes

‘Carte Blanche,’ I whisper,a disco in o to an actual club

‘How apt,’ Gregory confir across his face ‘"Veracocha"! Our tune, baby girl!’ We both down another chaed to the floor I don’t object I wouldn’t Gregory’s sood thing

He pushes us through the crowd until we’re joining the flurry of other dancers who all appreciate the classic anthe across the faces of people and intensifying roove, hands in the air, bodies swaying, twisting and twirling each other around the floor, laughing as we do It’s a novelty and a good one I’ory pulls me into his chest and puts his‘I’ it three minutes for a bloke to h ‘He’d have to be pretty cocksure’

‘Give ’

I’ory, sh the dance-floor crowd I want to drag my friend away, but I’m also curious how this will play out Ben doesn’t know thathi away froory’s attention

As Ben nears, I watch hi people, still s the intended body contact as he passes estureinto hi desire and the sudden shift in Gregory from easy, fluid movements to stiff aardness is obvious Will he push hiive him a dirty look?

No He loosens up iht back into his previous ease as the tracks slows ears and blasting the clubbers into coory s off eachat each other all lusty, but it’s there and it’s obvious Ben is playing it risky

Gregory‘There’s a o to turn, but I’rabs my shoulders

‘Trust me on this Let him’ He fans his face and releases reat taste in et a say in who takes hold of me? Or should I just let this happen – stay in control, but let it happen?

It’s his hps I feel first, pushing intoaround ht into his set pace without thought, and htly, but I have no colimpse of my dance partner because – probably due to the alcohol – he feels goodcoht

My eyes close when I feel hot breath at irl, you’ve floored me’

Chapter 17

I’ off wildly I gasp,absolutely nowhere His groin pushes intoup, as is what’s beneath his trousers I’ve been thrown into panic, all the feelings that he provokes attacking me relentlessly

‘Don’t try to escape me,’ he whispers ‘I won’t let it happen this tio’

‘Over my dead body’ He sweepshis lips on ht into my bloodstream ‘Your dress is very short’

‘And?’ I breathe, digging ernails into his arm