Meeting Him in Between

LAURIE

Jeremy guided me to the dance floor with a confident stride, never glancing back to see if I was following. He took the lead, placing his hand on the small of my back. I struggled to keep up with him in my high heels, feeling like a schoolgirl experiencing her first dance with a boy.

This can’t be real. I must be dreaming.

We came to a stop in the center of the dance floor, and the crowd parted as they recognized the man before me.

He must be someone important if they all know him.

Jeremy’s gaze met mine, and for a moment, I thought he was seeking my approval. But that notion vanished when he gently placed his hands on my waist, eliciting a gasp from me. Unsure of what to do next, I hesitated until he took my hands and guided them to rest behind his neck.

I felt vulnerable, exposed. He was in control, and I was under his spell.

We swayed to the soft melody of Ed Sheeran’s “Happier,” his intense chocolate eyes never leaving my face. “Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked suddenly.

“Yes, this is my first masquerade party. It’s intriguing and mysterious. It makes everyone seem more enigmatic,” I replied with a small smile, realizing I was rambling.

“Do you think I’m mysterious?” he asked, a playful grin on his lips.

“Maybe,” I teased, surprised at my own flirtatiousness.

“If I must be honest, I think you are very mysterious and beautiful,” he said sincerely.

“Thank you.” I smiled, feeling my cheeks flush.

“I haven’t seen you before. Where are you from?” he asked, his piercing eyes locked with mine.

“I just moved here with my friend. She has a job here, and I have an interview on Monday. We’ve always lived in California,” I informed him politely.

He nodded and glanced over my shoulder. I followed his gaze and saw Macy and Michael watching us. Macy waved at me with a big smile.

This is so embarrassing.

“I can see you know Michael,” Jeremy said, returning his attention to me.

“Yes, well, not for long. My friend Macy, who’s dancing with him now, will be working with him next week at her new job.”

“I see,” he smiled. “How do you know him?”

“I bought my latest house with Michael’s help. I wasn’t happy with my current place, and he found the perfect one close to work.”

“Yes, he’s very nice and kind,” I agreed.

His jaw tightened. “Are you seeing someone at the moment?” he asked, a dark, possessive glint in his brown eyes.

“That’s none of your concern,” I retorted, biting my lip in frustration and turning my gaze to a couple nearby.

He raised an eyebrow in challenge. “You’re feisty; I like it,” he chuckled. Pausing, he reached up to brush a stray hair from my face. “I think you’re single,” he murmured huskily.

“Maybe, maybe not,” I smirked, avoiding his eyes for a moment.

“Your body doesn’t lie,” he whispered in my ear.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, annoyed. He looked at me with such passion in his eyes that my knees went weak.

“Your body tells me you want me as much as I want you,” he said seductively.

A sigh escaped my lips as Jeremy’s hand grazed my cheek. “I want to get to know you, Laurie. You intrigue me. I want to see the woman behind this mask,” he said, his voice almost pleading before he quickly regained his composure.

His demeanor shifted in an instant, from a romantic stranger to a guarded man. Something in his eyes changed. Was it because I didn’t respond immediately?

I didn’t have a chance to reply, as he looked at me one last time before disappearing into the crowd without another word.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach. I shook off the odd sensation and headed back to my table, where Macy and Michael were deep in conversation.

I was almost there when someone grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. “What the—!” I nearly shouted, only to see Jeremy, the man who had left me on the dance floor.

“What are you doing? Let me go,” I demanded, trying to free my wrist.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just want to talk, that’s all,” he said, pain etched on his face.

“You left me on the dance floor without a word,” I reminded him, irritation building.

“You’re right; that wasn’t fair of me, but I had to,” he insisted.

“I don’t believe you,” I countered.

His eyes darkened, and he studied my face intently for a few seconds. “I don’t know you at all. You’re a stranger named Jeremy; that’s all I know about you. How can I trust you or believe you?” I challenged.

“There’s a good reason I didn’t mention my name to you. When women know my name, they don’t care about who I am. They only want me for my money. When you didn’t tell me yours, I understood. You don’t trust people easily, and neither do I. Just come with me to the hallway for a minute, just to talk. I promise I’ll keep my hands off you. I’m not a maniac. I’ll treat you with respect,” he said, his smile genuine.

I nodded, and he extended his hand. I took it, allowing him to lead me away from the party. As we entered the hallway, I stumbled in my high heels, but Jeremy’s strong arms caught me.

“Are you all right?” he asked with concern.

“Yes, thank you. I’m just clumsy sometimes,” I admitted, glaring at my shoes.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said, and I looked up to find him staring at me.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I told him, my cheeks turning red under his intense gaze.

“Like what?” His lips curved into a teasing smile. Jeremy’s eyes drifted down to my cleavage, and I felt my nipples harden under his scrutiny.

What power does this man have over me?

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