darkened gaze. A slow smirk spread across his lips as he watched me watching him, and he cocked his head in a silent invitation.
Stepping closer, I stared down at him.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” He slid the tip of his finger up my bare leg, out of view of everyone else, and goosebumps broke out over my body.
Casually perching on the arm of the sofa, I turned to the others, my voice rising an octave to be heard above the music. “Uh, can I say something to all of you?” It took all my focus to ignore Caiden’s finger trailing across my skin. “Can you stop teasing me?” I hissed out of the corner of my mouth, aware of everyone’s eyes on me.
I heard Caiden’s low chuckle, but he stopped the torturous movements. I curled my finger around his, a subtle, hidden touch, and he mouthed later to me, when I met his eyes.
“What is it?” Weston’s voice interrupted the moment.
“Oh, sorry. I was miles away.” I turned back to the boys, taking in the amusement on their faces. “I just wanted to say thank you. For this.” Holding up my arm, I jingled the charm bracelet on my wrist. “It…it means a lot to me.”
Cassius gave me a grin. “All Cade’s idea, wasn’t it, mate? He just asked us each to pick a charm for you.”
I glanced back at Caiden, who shrugged, a small smile playing across his face. I love you, I mouthed, and his smile widened.
“The jester hat’s perfect for me, right? I know I’m the most hilarious guy you know.”
“Well…I don’t know about that, Cass.” I held his stare, keeping a straight face, and his smile disappeared. “Course you are,” I said eventually, and he threw me another blinding grin, pretending to wipe his brow in relief. “Anyway, I just wanted to thank all of you. So. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” Weston leaned over and squeezed my hand, his finger brushing against my bracelet. Zayde gave me a wink, and I smiled at him.
“Winter.” Kinslee’s voice cut through the music, and I spun my head to see her beckoning at me.
“See you all later.” I extracted my fingertip grip from Caiden and headed back over to Kinslee.
“James is here,” she murmured discreetly in my ear, and subtly indicated her head to the left. I saw him standing with a group of his friends, looking completely relaxed and at ease. Okay, maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as I’d imagined.
“I’m going to talk to him. Why don’t you find a dance partner?”
“I’ve sworn off men,” she sighed.
“Since when?”
“Since New Year’s Eve—it was my New Year’s resolution. I’ve decided I’m going to focus on my studies and let the right man find me.”
“Um. Okay. That sounds…sensible, I guess?” I shrugged.
“It is.” She gave me a huge smile. “This is the new, improved Kinslee.”
“You don’t need improving.”
“Whatever. Go to James.”
“Okay, okay. I’m going. Have fun.” I gave her a quick hug, and made a beeline for James.
Straightening up, he watched me coming towards him, and his jaw set, the air of relaxation gone. “Can we talk?” He studied me for a moment, then nodded. I gave him a small smile. “Thanks. Come on, let’s go somewhere quieter.” I felt eyes boring into my back, and I knew wherever I took James, Caiden wouldn’t be far behind.
We headed into the kitchen to grab drinks, and then I opened the sliding doors and took him out onto the back deck. No one else was there, the coldness having chased people away. I grabbed some blankets, throwing one to him, and patted the seat next to me. “Have a seat.”
“I know what this is about.” His expression was resigned. “I knew you’d work it out, eventually.”
Work what out? This was unexpected. I decided to just go with it. I could feel Caiden’s presence behind me, lurking in the doorway, and I knew he was listening to everything that was being said.
“You had to realise you couldn’t keep it a secret,” I said, hoping he’d say more.
“I had to. I told you before, at the ball, there are things about my family…” He shrugged, leaving the sentence unfinished.
“Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
“How could I? I was trying my hardest not to get involved. This whole situation is a fucking nightmare.”
I eyed him carefully, taking in his tortured expression, the way he was biting his lip and clenching and unclenching his fists.
“It is a nightmare. But if you knew I’d work it out, why keep it from me?” My