013

Dove Pov

For a moment I just gape at him, at his outstretched hand.

The thought of pressing close to him, feeling his grip on my hand, on my waist it almost too much to bear.

But who am I to deny an Alpha's invitation?

My heart is in my throat as I reach out, slipping my hand into his. It's warm, his fingers closing around mine as he stands.

He pulls me merely a few feet from his chair, tugging me close. My breath remains securely held in my lungs, even as they begin to burn.I'm painfully stiff as his hand glides around me, settling on my lower back. My stomach brushes against his, my head turned so I don't have to look up at him.

Despite being immersed in a world of sin, touching Alpha Varian feels like the most corrupt act I could partake in.

"This feels surreal," I breathe as we sway to the gentle melody.

He tilts his head down and to the side so he can meet my eyeline. I wish he wouldn't — it makes it so much harder to concentrate on not stepping on his feet.

"What does?"

"Dancing with you."

My shoes sink into the plush crimson carpet as I'm twirled around. This makes me quietly grateful for nights when Eden would whirl me around our house, bumping me into bookshelves and into the table while we laughed joyously. It's the only experience with dancing I've ever had.For that reason I can keep up, but I'm still breathless, clinging to Varian's body in case I slip away and into another sinners arms.

"Tonight I am like any other male," he assures me, the gentlest smirk tugging at his lips.

I can only shake my head. How am I to believe that? Everyone watches us because of him, because he has a way of commanding attention.

"Are you doing this to get a rise out of Claude?" I ask him, still unable to fathom how I've come to end up in this position.

Claude is lingering near the far wall, watching us. A woman has sidled up to him, drawing her hand down his chest. He pays her no mind.

Something tickles at my senses. I like that he's watching.

"I'm doing this because you're a beautiful woman in a beautiful dress," Varian admits smoothly, tightening his grip onmy waist. "I'm doing this because we're both sober and I enjoy your company. Is that enough?"

My breath catches in my throat as his compliment dissolves in my mind. This Alpha believes I am beautiful, is wilfully engaging in this dance with me.

"If it's all true, then yes," I say.

"I don't lie," he assures me, strands of raven hair raining down over his forehead. "Not about this."

I feel like a bookmark that has been slotted into the crease of a fairytale, only to have melded into the story. I feel no fear, only excitement as I sway in the comfort of strong arms.

"I'm going to think about this night forever," I admit wistfully.

"Consider yourself invited to every party I host from now on," Varian offers, his voice like molten honey. "I'll have your name put on a list and have the guards know to look out for a woman in a dress just like this one."His gaze ventures downward, taking in every ruffle and stitch, every pale and dainty flower. My cheeks warm, tinting the same colour as my dress.

"You can't possibly like my dress," I say blandly, weaving my stare over each hard line of his face, wondering faintly what it would feel like beneath my fingertips.

"Why not? I absolutely do."

His ability to not crack a smile despite taunting me is an impressive talent.

"You're being facetious at best," I mutter. "At worst you're being cruel."

"Look at me, Dove." He hooks his finger beneath my chin, tilting it up so my gaze meets his. "I enjoy this dress on you. It suits you perfectly, and you're clearly comfortable in it. That pleases me. Is my reasoning so hard to believe?"

My mouth dries but my attention doesn't dip meekly. I see nothing but honesty in his expression, and it's startling."It is hard to believe," I murmur.

He angles his head. "Why?"

"Because you like seeing flesh, and bright colours and sparkles and glitter. I see it everywhere, including in the theme I'm assuming you chose," I note, flexing my fingers in his hold.

When I dare look around there are more eyes on me before. Each person is dressed so meticulously, all hoping to catch the Alpha's eye.

"I do like those things." His state is intense, searching. "But can I not like this too?"

I give my head a little shake, causing my hair to fall back over my shoulder. Perhaps I'm exerting prejudice now. I've assumed so much about Alpha Varian over the years, and such theories no longer prove to be true.

"We are spending far too much time on this topic," I mutter.

"What would you like to talk about?""I just want to enjoy this moment," I admit softly.

Varian's smile is knowing, but he stays quiet as we sway to the foreign music. I let it envelop me, forcing away thoughts of Matthias, of my father sleeping peacefully at home and my sister enjoying time with her secret lover.

"Do you enjoy the eyes on you," he asks suddenly, gently clasping my jaw, guiding my eyes across the room. "The envy, the curiosity?"

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the weight of their stares on my skin. I like that they watch me, that they see me with him.

"I do," I murmur.

"Do you like watching their eyes heat when I do this." He slides his hands from where they rest on my hips up my waist, his fingertips pressing into the fabric of my dress.

Sure enough, eyes darken and stareswarm as people watch on.

I swallow thickly. "I think I do."

Suddenly his hands are turning me, so my back is pressed to his front. His hands grip my hips as we sway, his mouth close to my ear.

I have no idea what is happening right now, but no part of me wants him to stop.

"Please scold me thoroughly if I take this too far," he whispers in my ear, his breath making me shiver. "You'll do that for me, won't you Dove?"

I nod. "O...okay."

My body is buzzing with anticipation, waiting for his next move. All rational thought has been abandoned, and I'm left wanting whatever this man wants to give me.

"Good girl," he murmurs. "Now sway these incredible hips to the music and enjoy how I'm going to make you feel."

I bite down on my lower lip. "Uh huh."