42- Teasing and terror
Bemy shrugs.
“Or, you could just ditch the shoes.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just take them off, then you have no reason not to dance with me.” I shake my head.
“Don’t be crazy, it ispletely inappropriate to take my shoes off here. Not to mention. rude.” Bemy
rolls his eyes.
“Megan won’t care.” He insists. I open my mouth to argue but before I can get a word out, he drops to
his knees and grabs my ankle. I squeal and instinctively kick out at him as he snatches my right shoe
right off my foot. He stands and takes a couple steps away from me.
“What the hell Bemy! Give that back!” I stand up but don’t try to walk, it’ll be awkward with only one
heel. He hangs my shoe over one finger and dangles it in front of me.
“I’ll trade it for a dance.” He offers.
“You’re ridiculous.” I counter. He just shrugs at me again. I try to take a step forward but stumble. I slip
my other shoe off and hold it in one hand. I step forwards again and attempt. to snatch my other shoe
back from Bemy. He holds it up above my head and he’s too tall for me to reim it. I refuse to make
a fool of myself trying to get my shoe back so I just re at him, my arms crossed over my chest. He
raises an eyebrow at me.
“One dance Ry,e on. It’s not so horrible is it?”Content held by N?velDrama.Org.
“I’ll trip over my dress, it’s too long without heels.” I sigh, my resolve wavering.
“I won’t let you fall.” Bemy promises,ughter in his tone. With a final nce at my shoe which he is
still holding I relent.
“Fine. One dance.” I grumble. Bemy grins triumphantly. He gently pries my other shoe from
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42- Teasing and terror
my
hand and ces them neatly on the table by my clutch. He then takes my hand and leads me to the
middle of the room. The DI, is apparently very observant, or maybe he noticed the scene we just made.
Every woman staring at Bemy definitely noticed at least. I know this because he suddenly changes
the music to a more rxed, slow dance. Great, I fight a groan. Bemy nods at the guy who gives him
a nod in return. I just roll my eyes. Everyone is watching and I have to fight not to run away, not that I
could anyway because Bemy still has a firm grip on my hand. I feel awkward without my shoes,
although definitely morefortable. Bemy steps closer to me and slips his free hand around my
waist. I cave and put my other hand on his shoulder and let him lead me through the dance. He is
surprisingly good at this. I’m clumsy with the steps at first. I was taught to dance as part of a holiday
program at the home I grew up in. I took about three weeks ofpulsory sses and then never had
to dance again. This is the first time I’ve ever made use of those lessons. As the stepse back to
me, I begin to rx and feel more confident. I also find it easier to ignore the
people watching us, particrly since a few couples stand up and join us on the floor. Megan and
Tristan included. She was right when she said he isn’t a great dancer. He’spletely out of time with
the music. Megan gives me a subtle thumbs up.
“See, this isn’t so bad now is it?” Bemyments. I shrug.
“It’s fine I guess.” That’s a lie. Turns out I actually enjoy dancing. I hated it as a teenager, but that might
have had more to do with my reluctance to hold hands with creepy, overeager teenage boys. Iubi
definitely be betterpany when they get older. As teens they’re basically horny idiots with zero
impulse control. Same as any other teenager really but they also get magical aphrodisiac powers so
let’s just say it’s worse. My current partner is definitely an improvement.
“You’re having fun. Admit it.” He pushes. I groan.
“Fine. Yes I enjoy dancing. Happy now?”
“Ecstatic.” he replies, a pleased grin on his face. The first song blends into the second but I don’t
comment as Bemy leads me through the next dance. Lots of people have joined in now, Megan
should be pleased. Bemy and I are no longer the centre of the room, in fact we’re pretty much at the
edge of the dance floor now. It’s not until half way through the third dance that I remind Bemy I only
promised him one dance. It’s getting crowded and I’m not toofortable with it. There are threads all
around me and in a group like this I’m getting a bit ustrophobic. He grins but relents. He ces a
hand on my lower back and leads me away from the dance floor towards the edge of the room, away
from the crowd. He leads me
24
to an empty corner and here, we are pretty much going unnoticed for the first time this evening as
everyone has their view blocked by the couples dancing or are too busy dancing themselves to pay us
any mind. I’m watching the dancers, trying to spot Megan. I’m trying so hard to spot her in the crowd
that I forget Bemy still has a hand on my back. Well, I ignore it at the very least.
“Ryann.” He says my name to get my attention and I can barely hear him, he has to stand close for me
to even hear him over the music. I face him and am surprised to find a serious expression on his face.
He catches my gaze and I stare at his golden eyes. Why is he so serious all of a sudden? Is something
wrong? Maybe he’s thinking about Tristan again, he was rather upset earlier, I did think he was pretty
well distracted though. He reaches out with his free hand to brush a strand of hair from my face. He
rests his hand on my cheek and before I can even begin toprehend what’s happening, he leans
forward and gently presses his lips to mine, and only just barely.
It can hardly even be considered a kiss. But there’s no other way to describe it. My mind goes nk.
His kiss is so unexpected that I don’t have a chance to react. Looking back, the signs seem obvious.
But I wasn’t expecting him to kiss me so I missed them all. He pulls back to examine my expression.
He looks pleased and nervous at the same time. I stare at him. His face falls and his expression
bes increasingly wary. My breaths starting quicker, I can’t seem to breathe right. I am
completely terrified. Why did he have to kiss me? I was not ready for that at all. I pull away from him
and he immediately releases me. His hands fall to his sides and he makes tight fists, as if he is actively
working to keep them there. I stare at his hands, I don’t want to look at his face. I don’t think I want to
see what expression he is making right now.
“Ryann I-” he starts. I don’t wait to hear what he has to say. I need to get away. I turn and run in the
opposite direction, clutching my skirts to keep from tripping. I find myself at the doors leading outside
and dash through them into the night. It’s well lit with fairy lights and the garden is beautiful, but I barely
notice. I just keep moving. I need to go. It’s not until I reach a stone wall that I realise this is a private
garden for the hotel. I wont be able to leave from here. I see a cement bench which I copse onto. It’s
a warm night but my toes are cold. I ran out here without shoes. I can see my feet are dirty from
running through the grass. But that’s not important. What I really want to know is when did Bemy
start thinking of me… like that. I remember Darrien’s warning that even if I didnt say anything, it
probably wouldn’t take long for Bemy to start thinking of me as his mate. Is that what’s happening?
But that s crazy. He barely knows me, I barely know him! There’s a nagging voice in the back of my
mind. But you think of him that way already. That’s different because I already knew before I
42- Teasing and terror
even spoke to him! I’m arguing with myself. This is not a good sign. Regardless, I’m not trying to figure
out my own feelings here. I’m trying to figure out Bemy’s. Does he love me? No, I don’t think he
does. He’s drawn to me because I’m supposed to be his true mate, but all we do is fight. That kiss was
just instinct. He naturally wants to be close to me, even if he doesn’t know the truth. It’s too soon for
this. He’s just feeling pressured to find a mate, all those girls here tonight annoying him, the other
Alphas earlier today making it clear that they expect him to hurry up and choose someone. He feels
obligated to make a decision. I refuse to be an obligation. Neither of us is ready for this just yet,
Bemy just got a little carried away with the dancing, he was probably drinking too. It is a party after
all. That’s all there is to it. It’s not that I don’t like him, I do, far more than I expected to. But I barely
know him! I’ve been. alone my whole life, I don’t know how to be around other people, he will work out
how ipetent I am, then he will want to leave too.