Chapter 26: Chapter 26

: Dance

→Narrator: Asa

"I can't promise you something I'm already pathetically failing at, Asa... But I'll try."

His hand went around my waist, pulling me to his side as we walked out of the kitchen, into the living room.

I noticed Kosi was sitting on Devon's lap, on one of the couches, laughing and smiling genuinely to whatever he was saying and he was staring at her like she was the only girl alive in the entire universe.

Oops. Jemi may not like that.

We found a spot for ourselves on the dancefloor, August Alsina and Nicki Minaj's No love, booming from the speakers. The bass, vibrating through my heart, accelerating my heartbeat.

Amir fitted himself perfectly behind me, my hips to his, my back to his front. I tried hard not to think too much of his big, warm arms, gripping my hips, his rock solid chest against my back as we began swaying to the music.

Dancing came easily to me. All I had to do was lose myself to the music and let my body do its own thing. I was vaguely aware of my butt, directly in front of his crotch and the fact he didn't grope me or act lewdly. His head dropped to the crook of my neck and my right hand unconsciously went up to grip the hair close to his neck as I continued rocking my hips to the beat of the music.

I was aware of his heartbeat racing out of control now, his ragged breathing hitching every now and then, with every swing of my hip against his.

Suddenly, his grip on my hips tightened and he swung me around to face him. His eyes reminded me of stars and stardusts, exploding in and out of existence. His strong jaw was tightly clenched like he was trying hard not to yell.

"Can we talk outside? I can't think straight." He said, gruffly, leaning down to whisper in my ear.

Confused, I only nodded, allowing him to whisk me away.

On the balcony outside, he kept his distance from me, gripping the railing tight, the muscles of his hand, bulging, eyes shut tight and breathing deeply through his nostrils like he was counting from one to ten, to steady himself.

"Sorry, I just need a minute."

"Amir, I swear, I don't understand you sometimes." I frowned at him, moving to lean against the thin railing.

He kept clenching and unclenching his jaw, muttering under his breath and I knew he was struggling to rein something in.

I just don't know what that thing was.

When his eyes snapped open to look at me, the frustration was still clear in them.

"Sorry, I know I'm acting like a psychopath now."

"What's the problem, Amir?"

He gave me a baffled look. "You are my problem, Asa. Isn't it obvious? In there, your scent was everywhere. Driving me fucking nuts."

He ran his hand through his hair now, deep in thoughts and I noticed he did that a lot when he got frustrated.

He suddenly stepped closer to me now, his eyes looked firm. Like he had made a decision. "Look, Asa... I'm not going to ask you to leave Kam for me."

That was never even an option.

"And I know you love him... But can a 'no-strings-attached' relationship work between us? Can I be your number two?"

I was stuck debating with my subconscious before the true meaning of his words hit me square in the gut.

"What?"

He gulped and I knew this was taking its toll on him. He was stripping down every bit of his pride and ego for this... Proposition.

"Asa, at this point, I'm ready to take anything I can get from you. I don't mind even if I get scraps. I want you so bad, it's not healthy anymore... I know I can't have all of you... But can I... Can we..." He dropped his hands helplessly at his sides.

"Be friends with benefits?" I ended it for him, seeing where he was going.

He hung his head low in shame. "I know it's morally wrong... On so many levels. But I just-"

"Stop!" I snapped, done with this bullshit. "Stop right now, Amir."

"Asa-"

"I can't believe you'd think I'd stoop so low to cheat on Kam. What the hell do you take me for?"

"Asa, no-"

"In the end, that's all you want, right? That's all you ever wanted. An easy lay."

"That's not what I-"

"Save it!" I was close... So close to losing my shit.

The nerve of this guy!

I whirled around, deciding to get as far away from him as possible before I end up slapping him.

"Asa, wait!"

But I was already away from him, weaving through the crowd of dancing bodies as I made my way back into the house. I was boiling with indignant anger. How could he think so low of me?

And why does it hurt so much to know that he thought I'd ever agree to this? Did he honestly think I wouldn't feel insulted?

I clenched my fists so tight, my fingers, digging creases into my palm, the pain was the only thing keeping me from teetering over the edge of self control.

Stupid, egotistic, devilishly handsome, no good, horny little royal bastard. Insulting me right to my fucking face!

I was righteously fuming, angry as hell, when I rounded a corner, crashing into somebody.

"Jesus! Watch where you're going, will ya?"

A vein popped in my head. "Well, you're just as guilty as I am!" I snapped, glaring at the girl I just slammed into.

Her face held anger for only a minute, before she blinked in realization. "Oh my God, you're her!"

I frowned. "Who?"

"You! The girl my bastard cousin fought over."

I shivered, taking a step back, fear, replacing my anger. "Teriq is your cousin?" I whispered, looking around, suddenly realizing I didn't know where the hell I was.

"Yeah!" She quipped. "Name's Sahar! I'm Devon's sister."

She offered me an easy, genuine smile and I relaxed, smiling warmly at her.

She was very pretty in this effortlessly chic way. With close cropped hair and beautiful mocha skin. She wasn't wearing any make up, her face, holding a naturally beautiful look, with eyebrows, perfectly arched in a way that most girls spent a lot of money to achieve.

"I'm so sorry about my cousin. He's a douchebag sometimes. I have no idea what he said to you but I know it had to be bad."

"Oh, it's no problem." I waved her off.

"I was in your backyard the other day. Y'all have a really nice place, tho, I think Tee has ruined any chances of us coming over again."

"Oh, no. You're welcome to come anytime. Devon is, too."

She perked up. "Really?"

"Yeah."

Pumping her fists in the air, she cried out delightedly and I just had to laugh with her. I liked her energy. "All your boys are fine. Like, I've never been to the island before but if they have boys as fine as yours, man, I won't mind relocatin'."

I laughed with her. "Our boys? You sound like you're already feeling one."

She gave me a coy smile. "Don't wanna name names, but there's that one guy, Jemi... Well... Let's just say he's made me a basketball fan."

Oh shit.

No no!

"Hey, whatsup? Are you okay?" She looked at me worriedly.

I plastered a fake smile on my face. "Yes... I just... Can I use the bathroom?"

She looked at me worriedly but pointed down the hall. "There's a bathroom down the hallway, by the left. It's more privy than the one downstairs."

"Thanks, Sahar."

"You're welcome... Uh..." Her forehead scrunched up adorably. "Sorry, I didn't get your name."

"Asa. My name is Asa."

"Okay, good! Will you need anything else? I'm going to raid the kitchen right now. I'm binge-watching stranger things and my snacks finished on me." She pouted, cutely.

"Just some water."

"Okay, brb, girlfriend." She winked at me, before rounding the corner and leaving me behind.

I walked into the bathroom that, the scent of rosewood and aloe vera, filled my nostrils.

Turning on the tap at the sink, I splashed some water on my face, feeling my anger dissipate.

Fucking Amir.

I turned off the tap and gripped the basin, staring at my reflection and working on my breathing.

Suddenly, the door opened but I paid no heed to it, still staring at myself in the mirror, until another person's reflection joined me.

I froze. All the blood in my veins turning to ice as I stared back at those familiar demonic eyes.

No.

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