The Perfect First (Fulton U, #1)(33)



It wasn’t until we stopped that I realized what she had on. Under that thick wool and tweed, Seph wore a white camisole, the kind with super skinny straps going up and over her shoulders. It clung to her torso, which only made me want to take a closer look.

Her hands went up over her head just like any good woo girl. Shaking her hips and moving her body, she kept up with the beat of the music. I definitely wouldn’t have thought someone like her would have moves.

The gap we’d created closed as more people filled the dance floor. Someone pushed against my back and I grabbed hold of Seph to keep us both from toppling over. My fingers ran along her waist, hitting that gap between her top and the waistband of her pants when she raised her hands in the air again. Her skin was silky smooth.

“This is an amazing song.” Her grin was infectious. She danced like someone who’d been out at clubs before.

“You’re a pretty good dancer.”

“I’ve watched a few tutorials to make sure if I ever got the chance, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself.”

“You’re a fast learner.”

“At everything but swimming.” She rested her hands on my chest and her tongue darted out, running along her lips. The lights from the club streamed over us. They were strong enough to shine right through that camisole top, and I got a full-on view of her pale pink bra underneath. It was a tease that made it hard to look away, which meant there were probably other guys who were also having a hard time averting their eyes. I craned my neck at the other people dancing around us.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get your coat? You’re not cold?”

“Cold? It’s freaking hot in here.” She lifted her arms and ran her fingers through her hair. The intricate braid that seemed to be a go-to for her slowly unraveled with each drop of the beat. She wasn’t just beautiful—she was stunning.

When she finished, flowing waves of hair cascaded down over her shoulders, way longer than I’d have thought from the style. Berk popped up beside us.

“I’ve got another drink for you.” He handed it off to Seph before I could stop him. She danced away from me while she wrapped her lips around the tiny black straw, and Berk blocked my path. “Let her have her fun.” He stood in front of me.

“Yeah, let me have my fun.” She popped up over his shoulder, balancing on her toes.

“She’ll be fine. I’ll look after her,” Berk called out.

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.” Trying not to let myself get too wrapped up in what she might be doing and knowing Berk would never let anything bad happen to her, I gave her some space to let the music take her wherever she wanted to go. Craning my neck, I kept her in my view. Heads turned and people watched her; how could they not?

The music got louder and louder until I could barely hear my own thoughts. Berk and Seph drifted back to me, and we met in the middle. She rocked her head from side to side, sending her hair flying with each turn and shake.

Sweat made her skin glow and her top stick to her body, making it even harder not to stare.

“Let’s get you some water.” I slid my arm around her shoulders and guided her back toward the bar.

“This is awesome. I’m having so much fun.” She was practically bouncing up and down with the happiness that only comes from being super drunk. Ordering two bottles of water, I handed one over to her. She cracked open the top and downed the whole thing in what seemed like one gulp.

Rivulets of water streamed down the sides of her face. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

“How drunk are you right now?” I yelled beside her face into her ear.

“I’m not drunk at all,” she yelled back.

Pulling back, I stared at her. Flushed skin. Droopy eyes. She’d been going drink for drink with Berk, who’d slung his arms around the shoulders of two women at the bar.

“If you’re not feeling it now, it’ll hit you like a Mac truck later.”

“I’m serious. I feel good, maybe buzzed—that’s what people call it, right? But I’m not drunk.” She stood proudly with her hands on her hips like she was a superhero for the booze not hitting her already.

Spinning her around, I ran my hands over her back, lifting her shirt by the hem.

She wriggled out of my grip. Whipping around with her eyes wide, she ran her hands along where I’d touched her. “What are you doing?” She smacked my hands away.

“Looking for your control panel. No one has ever drank Berkley under the table, so I’m going to go with you being an incredibly lifelike android. It would explain so much.” I pinched my chin between my thumb and pointer finger, eyeing her up and down.

She stretched her arms out to her sides, nearly clotheslining a girl walking by in wobbly heels. “Sorry!” she yelped, which turned into a laugh. Slowly, she touched one pointer finger to her nose and then the other. Each gesture pushed the corners of my mouth up a little, and I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t laugh as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Say the alphabet backward.” Her eyes darted up to the ceiling and she chewed her lips. “See?” I picked up my drink.

“ZYXWVUTS…” People at the bar turned around and gawked as she rattled off every letter. “And A.”

My eyes narrowed. “Fine. It will hit you in the morning.” I took a gulp from my beer.

Maya Hughes's Books