I danced with Alex earlier when he stepped in for Reeve after we won prom king and queen, only because it was expected. I honestly couldn’t care less about the award. It’s meaningless without my boyfriend. However, I am still wearing my crown so I don’t come across as a total Debbie Downer. While I promised Reeve I would try to have a good time, sticking to that promise is challenging. It’s hard to enjoy myself when he’s not here and I’m missing him so much.
“Hey, Viv. Want to dance?” Nate asks, approaching me with a cocky smile.
“Go away,” I snap, not even looking at him.
“C’mon, Viv. I’ve said I’m sorry. Are you going to avoid me forever?”
Sighing, I turn to look at him. “I’ve told you I forgive you, but we can’t be seen together. You know I have a spotlight on my head right now, and I won’t do anything to cause issues for Reeve or give the trolls another reason to hate me. Even talking to you is freaking me out,” I admit, scanning the room to ensure no one is recording us. My paranoia has reached new levels in the past few weeks.
“That’s no way to live your life,” Nate says, and I don’t disagree.
“It’s the way things are.”
“I hope he appreciates all you sacrifice for him.” There’s an edge to his tone I don’t like. Nate has always been jealous of Reeve, but I didn’t realize part of it was connected to me.
“I love him, and I’d do anything for him,” I say, grabbing my purse from the table. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.”
I exit the ballroom into the swanky hallway and make my way to the ladies’ restroom. After attending to business, I touch up my makeup and wash my hands before heading back out. Only another hour and I can make my escape.
Hands wrap around my eyes from behind, and I shriek as a hard body presses up against me.
“Don’t scream,” he says, in that husky voice of his. “It’s only me.”
My heart is jackhammering against my rib cage as he releases his hands, and I spin around in his arms. Butterflies roam free in my chest as we come face to face for the first time in two months. Happy tears leak from my eyes as I fling my arms around Reeve’s neck, squeezing the living daylights out of him. His large hand lands on my lower bare back as he holds me close. Familiar citrusy notes wrap around me as we cling to one another, and I close my eyes, savoring the feel of him against me, letting his warmth sink bone-deep, eradicating all the heartache.
Sweeping my hair to one side, he buries his face in my neck. “I’ve missed you so much, baby,” he murmurs while planting feather-soft kisses in that sensitive spot just under my ear.
“Reeve.” My tone is breathy as I angle my head, granting him better access, while my hands roam his back through his suit jacket. “I have missed you so damn much. It’s been the worst pain.”
“I need to taste you,” he says, lifting his head. Emotion seeps from the hidden depths of his ocean-blue eyes before he clasps my face in his firm hands and his lips collide with mine. Grabbing his jacket, I tug him close as he makes love to my mouth in a desperate marriage full of longing and lust and pain. I willingly open my mouth when his tongue prods against the seam of my lips, demanding entry. He presses his erection against my stomach, and I moan into his mouth when his tongue tangles with mine in an erotic dance I feel all the way to the tips of my toes.
We fall back against the wall, grinding against one another as we kiss like we’ll never get to kiss again. Desire floods every corner of my body, and my panties are wet with need for him. My heart is swollen with love, and everything feels right in my world again.
This is what I’ve needed.
What we’ve both needed.
Reeve’s touch and his scent and the comforting solidity of his hard body moving against mine remind me we belong together and I should never doubt this connection we share.
“I don’t have much time,” he rasps against my mouth.
“How long?” I inquire, briefly ripping my lips from his.
“My car will return in ninety minutes.”
“Then let’s make every second count,” I say, grabbing his hand and pulling him into the wheelchair accessible bathroom.
Reeve locks the door, and when he turns around, I’m on my knees, reaching for his zipper. “Jesus, Viv.”
“I need to taste you too.” I peer up at him while I lower his zipper and pull his dress pants down.
“Fuck. You look beautiful, Viv.” Yanking his boxers down to his knees, I lick the crown of his cock, soaking up the precum on offer. Reeve hisses as his back slams against the door, and he spreads his thighs a little wider. “I’m dying for you, baby,” he adds. “You have no idea how much.”