Poisoned Love

25. The Party Is Not Over Yet

We finally arrived at the party and it was as high-spirited as the last one, maybe even more. The music was so loud that it made my skin tingle and my lungs feel like mush. The bass thumped in time with my heart beat as though they were one, filling me from head to toe with music. I liked this song. Over the roar of music, a distant, hazy chatter could be heard. I couldn't make out any words, but laughter rang in my ears and wouldn't seem to stop. The song that was playing got louder, pulling me in and wouldn't let go. I had no choice but to join the crowd, grabbing Ace by his wrist from behind me and whisking him to the dance floor.

I was so pleased with this environment of many people dancing. People could barely see our faces and I'm relieved that I'm not judged for my dress or recognized from last time. The beat of the music pulsated throughout my body and pumped my veins with adrenaline. Maybe I'll be able to actually have fun tonight. I hope so.

Ace and I expressed our emotions through twirling and dancing on the dance floor. We were both unconsciously smiling. I never felt comfortable to dance in a party up until now. Neither did I think I'd agree to coming to this party ever again. Ace's face was priceless when I let my hair down and shook my head so that it'd shower over my shoulders. I can tell he wanted to say a lot of things but I wouldn't hear him anyway so he decided not to say anything.

The disco ball shone through the room and hit Ace's ocean blue eyes. They pierced through me and I can slowly see his smile fading away. He stared at me intensely, as if he was trying to figure me out. He even slowed down but didn't stop dancing for a second. Nor did he break our eye contact. I held one of his veiny and muscly hands in my own and intertwined my fingers through his. His lips immediately curled into an amused smile. I can't believe we're both actually here even after all the promises I made to myself that I wouldn't let anything happen between us. My emotions seeped through. I felt like all my problems never existed at all before and I felt free. I couldn't be more alive. Everything and everyone around me at this exact moment was everything I hoped for and more. I wouldn't trade this moment with anything else in the world. I love being here, with Ace and nobody else, in his house, amongst his friends.

Speak of the devil, Kyle appears behind him. I'm glad Penelope wasn't by his side. He greeted us with a cheery smile and ran a hand through his thick dirty blond tousled hair. He was wearing a plain white shirt and the sleeves were rolled up till his elbows. The buttons were opened halfway, exposing his defined chest. His lips lifted into a sneery smirk when he saw me and his fingers curled around a bottle of what I had assumed was scotch.

"Didn't think you'd come again, Lydia." He says and I'm surprised he still remembers my name. Ace turned around faced him, his smile completely disappearing and turning into an angry scowl. I chewed on my lower lip anxiously. If only looks could kill, oh.

"Stay away, Kyle." Ace snarls.

"Why? Am I causing you trouble?" He lifts an eyebrow and looks at me as if I was supposed to defend him. My eyes were glued to my feet and I stood in complete and utter silence. I somehow felt safe being behind Ace's broad shoulders, under his guard.

"Yes." Ace mutters through a clenched jaw and gritted teeth and it's barely audible.

"I was just looking forward to say hello to Lydia again." Kyle shrugs nonchalantly and gestures with his bottle of scotch to me.

"What's going on, Ace?"

"Nothing." He assures me, raising his hand in front of me to stop Kyle from being anywhere near me. He looked worried, as if Kyle had something against Ace. I doubted he did, though. They're best friends and I'm sure they'll make up. Then it hit me, what if Kyle is mad because of Penelope and Ace? What if that 'somewhere to go' that Ace mentioned was with Penelope? Should I care?

No, I certainly shouldn't. We agreed to being friends and I should stick to that with my teeth and nails. I grabbed Ace's shoulder and it eased slowly as he retreated backwards.

"Let's go grab a drink?" I offered and Ace followed me, giving Kyle one last glare before turning around and leaving. We both headed to the kitchen and got our drinks, instantly shoving them right down our throats. The whisky turns down the volume on my thoughts. It brings memories of good times past, and I let myself dwell in them rather than think. And in that moment I am here and not, existing in two perfect moments. Somehow it steadies me.

I knew I probably shouldn't question it but my mouth highly disagrees. "Why is Kyle mad with you?" I blurted, regretting my decision to ask.

"It's nothing." He tried to brush me off. I didn't know if it was the booze kicking in but I felt the sudden urge to kiss him. Out of nowhere, I felt an odd connection to him. I know he feels it too. It's like we're magnets, complete opposites but still attract.

I didn't want to push it, though. I'm sure it's nothing important or maybe my guess is correct and Ace did end up spending time with Penelope after he dropped me off. I can't decide how I feel about that.

"Stay tonight." He says out of the blue. His sudden demand sent me completely off guard and I found myself giggling. "I'm serious. We have an extra room."

"Extra room? Why would you wanna put me in an extra room when you slept with me in- uhm I mean you slept in the same room as me." I babble nervously. I seriously need to think thrice before speaking.

He's the one laughing now. His laugh was so angelic and beautiful. Dimples indented on his cheeks and his pearly teeth appeared and made such a perfect contrast with his moist pink lips. His laugh died down and he wetted his lips as he stared at me back.

"Are we gonna keep staring...?" He huffs and crosses his arms beneath his conspicuous muscly chest. "Cause I can stay like this all day." His tone hints of sarcasm and I rolled my eyes bluntly at him. I poured down my drink in my glass. He reached behind me and snaked his hands around my hips, brushing my hair away with his fingers so his lips touch my ears. I wanted to protest, push him away, tell him we shouldn't be like this, but I wasn't able to open my mouth to speak.

"Remember when I told you about the things I'll do to you in my car?" He says in a husky tone and the memories immediately flashed in my head of that night. The night I left with Ryder. I nodded frantically. I expected him to laugh at my noticeable and embarrassing desperation but instead, he began planting erotic and passionate kisses on my neck, then my earlobe and beneath my ear. I groaned in pleasure and propped my elbows on the counter. We were alone in the kitchen and I hope no one sees us like this.

The bulge of his pants hit my behind as he pressed his body against mine and we both gasped. My mind is no longer in control, and the sensations have taken over my body. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his torso.