I’m not paying much attention to the words, anyway. I’m more focused on the security of his firm chest pressed against my face, his strong arms locked around my body, the way my hips sway and Dare’s greedy hand creeps toward my ass.
A smile tugs at my lips. “You better behave yourself.”
“Who’s gonna make me?” he asks lightly.
“The chaperones.”
His hand slides over my ass and squeezes. “They better mind their business. If they think they’re gonna stop me from grabbing your ass while I dance with you, they’d better brace for a shock.”
“You’re not allowed to ruin any lives on prom night.”
“Oh, come on.”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“You never let me have any fun.”
I smile, tilting my head up so I can look at him. “You can have all the fun you want with me when we get to our hotel room after this.”
He cocks an eyebrow with interest. “All the fun I want?”
I reconsider what I’m offering. “Some of the fun you want.”
He grins and leans down to kiss me. I tighten my arms around his neck and kiss him back. He lifts me off the ground, molding my body against his as the music stops. “We should just get out of here now,” he murmurs against my lips.
At the mic, the principal—clearly wanting to cut off this public display of far too much affection—fumbles with the stand and says, “All right, let’s hear it for the prom king and queen.”
The spotlight is on us, so mercifully, Dare puts me down and takes my hand. The other students clap and then the crowd disburses, Dare and I walking away with complementary crowns.
“I’m thirsty,” I tell him. “I’m gonna get a drink. You want anything?”
He shakes his head, holding onto my hand for a few seconds longer before letting me pull away.
I make my way through the crowd alone, smiling and offering a “thanks,” in passing to three different people who stop to congratulate me on my win. Not that it was remotely a surprise. Juniors can attend, but only seniors can win prom king or queen at Baymont High, and Dare had no competition. My crown was earned by the simple virtue of being his.
After rumors spread all over the school about the crazy shit he may have been responsible for this year, the other nominees dropped out to avoid the possibility of landing on his bad side, so we don’t even have a prom court.
It’s a hollow win, but it doesn’t matter much, anyway. High school is all but over, and it never meant much to me.
The prom theme this year is The Wizard of Oz, so I have to make my way through the emerald city to get to the drinks and snacks. There’s no one else at the table when I get to it. I glance at the assortment of themed snacks, but only grab a see-through cup off the green sequined table. I reach for the ladle floating around in the punch bowl.
Before I can grab it, someone grabs my wrist.
I turn, startled.
My heart lightens when I see a familiar face I haven’t seen in far too long.
“Hannah!”
She smiles back mischievously. “Hey. I can’t believe Dare finally left your side. I’ve been waiting for an opening all night.”
I chuckle, but glance over my shoulder just to make sure he isn’t watching. I don’t see him anywhere, so I turn my attention back to her.
“Wow, you look amazing,” I tell her. She’s wearing a red sequined dress that hugs her curves with her long blonde hair curled and pulled over one shoulder. Her lips are painted red to match the dress. “You’re a sapphire, though?”
Generally, it’s encouraged for students to pick prom clothes that match their houses. I’m not because Dare is onyx and he’s my date, but if Hannah is here alone, she should be in a blue dress.
“Yeah, but my date’s a ruby. He’s around here somewhere,” she says, waving dismissively.
I crack a smile. “Sounds like true love.”
“Fire up the horse drawn carriage,” she jokes, looking me over. I’m wearing a tight black dress that showcases my cleavage and includes a sheer black cape. Given the prom theme and Dare’s attraction to me in high heels, I also donned a pair of ruby red slippers. “What about you? You’re not wearing emerald. I dig this evil queen vibe you’ve got going on, but it doesn’t really seem like you.”
“I’m the evil king’s consort,” I explain. “Adapting his vibe is pretty much mandatory.”
“Ah, makes sense.” She smiles, but I know she doesn’t want to talk about Dare. “Well, you look sexy, so you definitely nailed the ‘evil king’s consort’ look.” Pointing at my head, she says, “You even have a crown now.”
Dare’s deep voice behind me melts my smile and causes Hannah to drop my wrist. Dare notices she was holding it and gives her a cool smile as he comes to stand beside me. “Is Cinderella trying to steal my girl again? I thought I’d gotten rid of you.”