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  "So, Dweeb, you wanna dance?" Newton stood over me.

  “Yes, please, Buttfluff,” I got up while Newton threw back his head and laughed.

  “Buttfluff.” He tested the word in his mouth like he was tasting wine, “I like it. Lets go!” He caught my hand and dragged me out to the middle of the floor, through the squash, and then turned to me.

  Dancing was my favourite thing in the world, I could let go on the dance floor like nowhere else. I began moving but felt like a robot at first, after not having danced for so long, but after a while I eased myself into it like I hadn’t had a nine-month break from nightclubs.

  Newton placed his hands on my waist and leaned close, “You like living here?"

  "Yeah,” I nodded, “it's not too different from home.” I was smiling my head off as the beat caught me and thumped through my body. I closed my eyes, raised my arms, swung my hips and just enjoyed it. Newton removed his hands to do the same.

  After a while I felt hands on my waist again and a mouth half shouted, half whispered in my ear, "You know you're ugly as hell, right, Dweeb?” he pulled back to look at me with a cocky grin on his face.

  I laughed whilst shaking my head but I let him keep his hands on my waist. I liked this guy, he was funny with a warm and relaxing presence that rubbed off on me.

  “Just sayin’,” he shrugged. “We’ll have our work cut out for us keeping Scott away from you.”

  “Why?”

  “Didn't Ash tell you about our famous friend?”

  “Yeah, but I think you’re both probably exaggerating a bit. He can’t be that bad!”

  “He’s not bad, just loves the ladies and, unfortunately, they like him a lot too.” He wiggled his eyebrows. "He's got a different girl every night — puts Casanova to shame."

  “Well, don’t worry, I can look after myself when it comes to guys.” He didn’t look so sure but he had only just met me so that was okay. He would see soon enough. The guys at home had no chance and neither would they re would here unless I wanted them to.

  I made my way to the bar a little while later to get the next round of drinks when the lights went off around the stage. The crowd cheered and whistled and heaved towards the stage in a mad rush to be at the front. My interest snared, I watched and waited to see who was playing next.

  A single blue light lit the stage, its beam shining down and outwards towards the crowd. A man's silhouetted figure stood in its path. He stood there motionless, like a black phantom, while he looked out at the audience and the pack of screaming girls at his feet. My heart raced as the excitement that hummed through the atmosphere got under my skin, infecting me.

  The drummer started a slow beat and Mr Silhouette started to sing deeply. My breath released slowly as his low voice penetrated and vibrated intimately through the floor to my feet and up my body making me shudder, leaving me feeling as though I had been violated in the most sacred of places.

  His voice was deep, hoarse. I couldn't wait to see all of him, I needed to see his face, because surely someone with that kind of presence and his kind of voice couldn't also be blessed with a face to match? I didn’t have to wait long. The rest of the lights came on when the guitarist came in and the girls at the front of the stage screamed even louder. I froze as I studied his form, greedily committing every detail about him to memory. Everything else faded into the background, my vision went dark around the edges until he was all I saw. I let my gaze take a leisurely stroll up his body starting with his long jean-clad legs up to his lean hips. Unashamedly, my eyes roved over his chest, the way his black tee hugged his just-right muscles. His tattooed arms moved up and I watched in fascination as his biceps tensed when he gripped the microphone tightly and then flexed his fingers slowly.

  My breath was coming in and out quickly as I bit my lip and continued to stare at what was Gods gift to women. Lastly, I looked at his face, I was blown away again at the beauty of him. Dark, silky, overgrown hair, which was a sexy mess, hung over his right eye until he swept it back. He had high cheeks and full lips, which were almost making out with the mic. He was outstanding. I had never seen anyone like him, yet, he seemed familiar in a strange way. I wanted to get closer, see the colour of his eyes, see if he had dimples when he smiled.

  I sat there with my elbow on the bar, my chin rested on my fist holding my mouth closed while I was mesmerised by him, by his presence; it filled and covered the room like a sensual black silken sheet. He looked to the left of the audience with a smile that lit his eyes and he waved. I followed his gaze and saw Ash and her friends waving back. My chin fell off my fist. That was Scott Mason?

  My wide, surprised eyes looked back to the stage and collided into a dark, intense stare that was studying me intently. My breath hitched, or maybe I just stopped breathing totally, while his intense, curious gaze trapped mine. I couldn't tear my eyes away, it was as though he was singing to me. My bottom lip said goodbye to my upper one as I struggled to get air in. Our eym. r in. Oes held for what seemed like endless minutes. I felt caught. Rabbits and headlights stupidly flitted in and then out of my addled brain.

  Feeling hot all of a sudden, I knew I was blushing and groaned aloud as I rolled my eyes at myself, then I openly cringed at actually groaning out loud and rolling my eyes at myself. God, Girlie! Get a damn grip! His eyebrows drew together very faintly then as he cocked his head to the side to study me whilst keeping the ballad going beautifully. I looked away, my face felt warm. He must have thought I was nuts, sitting here pulling faces at myself. I told myself that he was probably used to girls making utter idiots out of themselves over him.

  I couldn't believe that I had just ogled a guy like that. I never did that kind of thing openly. Ever. I grabbed the tray of drinks that had been sat in front of me and returned to our table. He had to be seriously lacking in the personality department, I decided as I set the drinks down rougher than I usually would have. No guy had ever made me feel that way, or act that way either. I mean, I just didn't do the whole “eye-stripping” thing that other girls seemed to think was okay.

  I sat down and Ash leaned in close to my ear, "That's From Under. Scott is the singer," she nodded towards the stage and pulled back to look at me for a second to see my reaction.

  I forced a natural smile. "I figured it was."

  She whispered in my ear again, “You'll meet him later.”

  I pursed my lips and nodded. Meeting Scott didn’t sound so good now. I may as well just join the groupies down at the front.

  I caught Newton’s eye, “Dance?” I mouthed nodding to the dance floor. Alcohol had definitely made me braver, I needed more.

  “With you? Do I have to?” He flashed a smile as he stood and we were off like we’d known each other for years, not just a few hours.

  Scott’s voice filled the bar as we danced on the outskirts of the floor. I watched him on stage and had to grudgingly admit that they weren't just good, but they were amazing to watch and listen to. They were one of the best bands I had seen live and that was saying something since I had seen so many gigs after years of Glastonbury Festivals and gigs in London. I reluctantly decided that Scott Mason made them; without him the rest of the band would be lost. He was breathtaking on stage.

  Their style was a blend of heavy rock and soft ballads. Scott's voice was haunting, deep and raspy all at the same time for the ballads, which made shivers run down my spine, and he could shout his way through the heavier songs very well too whilst strumming wildly on his guitar. I knew, I just knew, that From Under were going places. I turned away. The way Ash described Scott, he sounded like a big-headed idiot and why wouldn't he be? He had everything going for him.

  After an hour or so of pure rocking I danced my way over to where Newton br/here Newas dancing with a girl. He turned away from the girl when he saw me approaching.

  “You okay, Dweeb?” He asked.

  I was about to nod when Scott started talking.

  ”Thanks for a great night. Got one more for you single l
adies out there!" He didn’t even sound breathless after all the singing he’d done.

  I rolled my eyes when I swear I heard almost every girl in the place, single and attached, squeal with pleasure.

  He caught my eye and my stomach trembled stupidly. He winked and flashed a killer smile that showed straight white teeth and dimples.

  My tummy did a somersault. Was he flirting with me? I ignored the stomach-trembles, hardened up, and gave him my “so-not-interested” look before turning my back on him. He had no chance and I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he found out who his new neighbours were. Ash hadn’t told him, she had wanted to surprise him.

  He had most of the ingredients that made him a recipe for a lady-killer except he was missing one main ingredient; morals. People like him, people that slept around with no respect for women, were assholes.

  Newton dipped his head close to my ear, “Looks like Scott just claimed you, and damn, I liked seeing you turn your back on him.”

  “Claimed me?” my brows were furrowed in confusion.

  “Yeah, claimed. It means that he likes you and will try to get in your panties by the end of the night.”

  My jaw dropped. Seriously?

  “The females go all mushy for Scott so this is me warning you.”

  My chin lifted, “He can bloody well try but he’s not my type and I'm pretty one-hundred percent sure I'm not his either.” I'm not a slut.

  Newton cocked his head slightly as he gazed at m

  e and then smiled, “I think I believe you.”

  ƀ

  Chapter Three

  Newton left me to dance on my own claiming exhaustion. I watched him go back to our table and sit close to Ash. I did a double-take — he sat very close to her. I watched as half her body touched his side and she was twiddling with her hair. I smiled to myself, Ash had the hots for him. I wondered if he knew but then he was cosying up to her too. Meg was nowhere in sight. Scott had left the stage and was replaced by classic rock that played from speakers. Merrily numb and foggy-headed, I danced with a few guys. I was sorry to see the night was ending. I wanted to stay and dance all night long. I didn’t care that I had college the next day or that I was a bit hammered. This was the first time I had been out in so long that I had forgotten how much I loved it. My cheeks were actually hurting from overuse of my smiling muscles.

  A slow rock ballad slowed the pace of the bodies moving around me in unison and I swayed my hips to the slow, heavy drumbeat. I could feel the bass quivering through the hardwood flooring, the haunting, melodic riff lulled me a>

  I was coiled so tight that I was ready to turn around just as warm hands slid onto my hips from behind me and held them with gentle firmness as they swayed slowly. Shivers shot through me so fast that my body flinched ever so slightly. I couldn't see who it was, but I didn’t care, I was losing myself to the music and the sensation of his hands holding me, guiding and taking control of my hips, making them move slower, wider. His warmth invaded my back as he came closer and closer until his body made light contact. I trembled with an unusual feeling that zinged though my veins. Whoever this guy was, his hands were no stranger to feminine skin, that was for sure. My breath held as I felt him lift a hand off my hip to collect my hair away from my shoulder, the faint mix of mint and alcohol teased my nostrils as his warm breath fanned my exposed neck.

  Anticipation clenched my stomach when the tip of his nose rubbed softly down my neck. Sparks shot all over me as his lips touched where my shoulder met my neck, dragging them gently from side to side, over and over again in a gentle assault. What felt like a day’s stubble scraped my sensitive skin as the hand still gripping my hip pulled me back into his. He was moving with me in such a way that I was panting, the rigid part of his jeans pressing into my butt. His hands moved to my shoulders, he ran them slowly down my arms and gripped my hands intimately as he took them with him to my lower tummy whilst his mouth made it’s way up to my ear. I was losing it. I had never felt so sexy as I did right then.

  My heart was hammering and all thought leapt from my mind, all that was left was him and what he was doing and making me feel. I wanted him closer so I released a hand and raised my arm up to loop it around his neck to hold him there as delicious sensation harassed me. His free hand slid firmly up and down my side. A throaty chuckle came close to my ear, then he ground his hips into me torturously slow as we swayed. A dull throb started in between my legs, I could feel what I was doing to him and it excited me as nothing had before. I matched his rhythm, straining to get closer. He let go of my hand quickly to grip my hips with both hands and squeezed slightly.

  His breathing became heavier and I heard a hiss pass his teeth before he pressed them firmer onto my neck. He gently bit me, then licked the same spot. I groaned aloud again as I grabbed his neck tighter, holding him to me. My breaths were coming out short and shaky, everything seemed so far away except for the two of us and the music. It vaguely registered that he was walking us backwards. I didn't care; I was way too gone now. He was driving me crazy. His lips, firmer now, were on my jaw as he sucked and licked. I had never felt this before with anyone, I wanted to rip our clothes off right now. His hands tightened again as his lips on my jaw and neck deepened to a level that was almost primal.

  A growl escaped his lips and pulsated over my skin. I could hear his breath rasping out of him. Without warning, he spun me around, his hands clinched my hips as hed my and pushed them back against a wall as he detached himself from me and leaned his forehead against mine as we tried to catch shaky breath after shaky breath. I opened my eyes, wanting to see his face.

  I gasped I was looking into the dark gaze of Scott Mason, “What the hell?” I yelled. I pushed him away as hard as I could.

  The surprise on his beautiful face would’ve been funny if this was a funny situation but I pushed him straight into a big-ass man that was stood behind him.

  The big man turned around and fisted Scotts shirt as he quickly turned. “Watch where you’re fucking going!” Big growled, his lip curling, showing his yellow, crooked teeth.

  “Take your hands off me.” I heard Scott say in a quiet voice as I noticed that his hands were fisted by his sides.

  “Or what?” Big laughed cruelly and looked behind Scott to me, “Aw, am I showing you up in front of your girl?”

  Scott’s fist connected with Big’s nose before I even knew what was happening.

  Big stumbled back in shock. "You're gonna fuckin' pay for that."

  Scott didn't waste any time. He stepped closer to him, punched him again and then grabbed his head and brought it down to his knee hard. Big went to the floor.

  I stood there trying to disappear into the wall. Lingering lust, anger, embarrassment and now guilt all swirled within me. Scott whirled around then, his frowning eyes went straight to mine and I could only stand there gazing back at him, wide-eyed and speechless. He came at me, a fission of fear ran down my spine. Ash had said something about his bad side but my reaction to seeing Scott in front of me had been swift and unstoppable. Would causing him to fight get me on his bad list? I tried to shrink further into the wall as he gripped my hand and, without looking at me, dragged me away through the busy floor to the opposite side of the crowd where he put me against the wall again.

  He put his hands either side of my head and stood over me, his nostrils flared slightly, from exertion or anger, I didn’t know, but I hoped it was the first. His eyes held mine darkly as he calm himself.

  “What was that for, babe?” He finally rasped.

  I groaned inwardly. His voice held an intimate edge to it that had my pulse working overtime again.

  I was mortified that I had danced with him like that and then pushing him away straight into someone and starting a fight. In my defence, I had no idea that it was him behind me, touching me that way, with those hands... Stop it! How could I have been so stupid? Now he was watching me questioningly, waiting for a reply.

  “What was what for?” I a
sked, my voice hoarse.

  “Why did you push me away? I thought we were having a good time.” His hand came up to stroke my cheek gently, his intense eyes seemed to visibly darken and his brows drew together. “God, you’re a beauty.”

  I gazed at him, the world slipped away as he looked at me like no one had ever looked at me before, as though I was his special something and I fascinated him like nothing else did or ever could again.

  I took a shaky breath and knocked myself out of it abruptly, he was so much more dangerous close up than when he was on stage. He was a real pro at this stuff – I had to remember that.

  I knocked his hand away and shoved, fy and s against his hard chest lightly.

  He looked sullen and his perfect lips parted as if he was about to protest.

  “I’m not interested,” I said as loud as I could so I wouldn't have to repeat myself and made a move to walk away.

  His hand hit the wall blocking my exit again.

  I gritted my teeth, he obviously didn't like being told no. The egotistical ass has probably never heard no slip from between a girls lips. Tough.