Temptations

39. FOR THE SHOW

ELLIE

I felt bored talking to and listening to all those businessmen and their boring wives so as soon as I saw the familiar face of Drake, I excused myself and walked over to him. He was standing near the bar, sipping slowly on what looked like wine, all the while scrolling his mobile screen. He looked just as bored as me.

"Hello Mister." I walked over to him and said. He was wearing a maroon three piece suit, looking all handsome and dapper. His blonde hair was falling over his forehead in an adorable manner and his blue eyes brightened as soon as he saw me.

"Hey, you look…" he stared at me from head to toe and then his mouth widened in appreciation. "Wow."

"Thanks, I guess." I smiled awkwardly.

"Where is your husband?" He looked around and then said in a teasing manner. "He shouldn't leave you alone when you're looking like this. Other men might think they have a chance."

"Ha ha." I rolled my eyes. "Why are you alone?"

"I'm not alone. I have a date." He pointed towards the wine glass in his hand.

"Seriously…" I narrowed my eyes.

"Babe, coming to a party full of hot women with a date is like coming to a buffet with your own food." He said arrogantly.

"Gross. Your friend's personality has been rubbing off you." I grunted and he laughed in return.

"Besides, the woman I wanted to come with chose my friend instead." He pouted.

"She came with her husband, to be precise." I retorted.

"Who said I was talking about you?" He said and I turned red in embarrassment.

"I… you…"

"I'm kidding. I was talking about you." He winked when he saw me flushing.

"See." I shrugged. "Okay, forget about that and listen to my problem. I feel uncomfortable being in the same party as Sabrina."

"Why?" He asked.

"Because of her history with Nathan." I replied.

"Listen to me, Ellie. She is the ex. You are the wife. So she should be the one being uncomfortable right now." He said to console me.

"But what if she gossips about me that I'm a gold digger?" I said, playing with my fingers nervously.

"Are you?" He asked.

"No." I shook my head. "I did this all for my family."

"I know. So nothing she says or does should affect you. Keep your head high." He said.

"Hmm." I nodded. "Thanks. You are a good friend."

We were engaged in our conversation when someone interrupted very loudly. "Can I steal my wife for a dance?" Nathan suddenly appeared behind me and said loudly so everyone would hear. He put his hand on my waist, pulling me closer against me and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Real subtle." Drake commented.

"Thank you." He said. Due to our position, I could feel Nathan's warm breath on my neck and it was enough to make me feel giddy. I hated the effect he had on me but it was not in my control.

"Let's go." He said to me. I followed him to the middle of the hall where couples had gathered to dance to the music. The massive hall had gotten darker to suit the romantic theme of the music.

He took my hands and then stood me closer to him before putting his hand on my waist to support me. His eyes lingered on my face with full attention as I put my hand around his neck and began swaying with the movement of his hands.

"Nice way to show everyone we're head over heels in love." I said looking around as we slowly moved along the rhythm.

"Not everything is for the show." He said while our eyes met.

"Then?" I raised my eyebrows.

"I just felt like dancing with you." He said and twisted me around and hugged me from behind. We were still moving in rhythm but it was much more difficult now that my ass was rubbing against his pelvis.

"You just felt like dancing? Doesn't sound like you." I said in disbelief.

He rolled me around again so I was facing him but this time, we were much closer. His nose was touching my forehead and I could practically inhale him. My legs felt numb at the sudden onslaught of feelings because of our proximity and I struggled to keep myself balanced.

"You should learn to lower your guards sometimes. I'm not that bad." He whispered and his warm breath tickled the skin of my cheek.

"That's what I'm afraid of." I whispered to myself but he heard it too. "Mind standing a little far?"

"I do mind." He whispered.

His fingers moved up and down my waist, warming me up. My face was getting red and my eyes were getting blurry due to all the unwanted feelings. I wanted to stay in his arms forever but I also wanted to move away before we could do something much worse.

"Nathan." I said in protest but it came out as a muffled whisper.

"Yes, Ellie." He whispered back and I closed my eyes to avoid looking at him.

"Don't." I said in the same whispering voice. I was finding it harder and harder to dance, or stand.

"Don't what?" He said as his nose nuzzled against my cheek.

"Mr. Byers." I said softly, reminding him of our actual position.

"Mrs. Byers." He said instead, making my legs turn into jelly. I knew people were looking towards us but I didn't care. Nobody existed at that moment. Just him and me, and the music.

I was lost in his touch when I felt his mouth on the corner of my lips, making me lose all the balance and energy. Thanks to his hands around my waist, I was stopped from falling or else I would have been floored.

When I opened my eyes, I found him staring at me with deep, sensuous eyes. My lips felt all tingly and sensitive. I licked my lips and stared around and that's when I saw Sabrina, staring few inches, dancing with her husband but her eyes towards us.

Has she been here the whole time?

I looked at Nathan inquisitively and he was staring back at me with hooded eyes.

So it was all to make her jealous.

"What happened?" Nathan asked as I freed myself from his hold.

"I need some fresh air." I said and left him standing there while I rushed out.

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