Chapter 82 SHOTS
Edeline
Joy surged through me as a techno remix of a popular song played, and the vibrant lights pulsed with the beat, making it impossible for me to stay still.
Mirabelle stayed close, gracefully moving with the rhythm, her hips swaying in time with the music as we danced together.
As I took another shot on the dancefloor, a wave of exhaustion hit me, and I suddenly felt a strong need to find a place to sit.
Interestingly, tonight had been unexpectedly pleasant. I received genuine smiles from everyone, and there were no confrontations. It was clear they were actually happy to see me, making my earlier worries seem unfounded.
I was jolted by a tap on my left shoulder, causing me to turn abruptly and bump into the person behind me. Thankfully, they caught me with strong arms, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Looking up, I found myself staring into a pair of deep blue eyes, slightly darker than Percival’s. It was Darius, and a sudden unease washed over me.
Despite my instinct to be cautious around Darius, my alcohol-fuzzed brain struggled to recall why, as I looked up at his amused face.
"I see you’re looking a bit better," he said, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
I nodded, grinning. "Absolutely! I never thought I’d like tequila, but here I am!"
Darius gently moved me back to get a better look at me, his lip caught between his teeth before he lightly bit it, his eyes roaming over my figure. "Hmm. You look..."
"Inappropriate?" I guessed, chuckling softly.
Darius shook his head, an eyebrow raised. "No. I was going to say... sexy," he said, giving me a flirtatious wink as his hand brushed lightly against the skin of my lower back.
This was definitely out of character for Darius.
A slight flush crept across my face. "Thank you. I guess?"
He reached behind him, grabbed two shots from the bar, and leaned closer, offering one to me.
I hesitated at first but then shrugged off my reservations and accepted. We clinked glasses and drank. The smooth liquid warmed me from within, adding to the pleasant numbness that was settling over me.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked, glancing down at me, looking unusually short.
Then it hit me—I was wearing seven-inch heels.
"Sure!" I grinned as he led me to the dancefloor. As we approached, the music shifted to a high-energy song about "shots, shots, shots," and I couldn’t help but jump around with wild enthusiasm, swaying my hips. Mirabelle and a few others joined us, showcasing their exotic dance moves.
"Are you having fun?" Mirabelle shouted over the loud music.
I shouted back with urgency, "Yes! Thanks so much for inviting me!"
Her expression brightened. "You’re very welcome!" Her gaze then shifted to Darius with a serious look. I chose to ignore it and focused back on him. His eyes were still on Mirabelle, his brow furrowed slightly with concern.
"What’s going on between you and Mirabelle?" I leaned in close, whispering softly.
Darius casually shrugged before a slow smile spread across his face. He gently took my hand, twirling me around before pulling me close against his strong chest.
“Let’s go,” Darius said, pulling me along. I glanced back and saw Mirabelle dancing with Marc, lost in the moment. I figured she wouldn’t miss me for a while.
“Where are we headed?” I called out, trying to keep up with his brisk pace.
“Somewhere peaceful,” he replied with a grin.
I whined loudly. “I don’t want to be in a quiet place! I want to dance and be free!” I kicked off my heels by the door as he stepped outside, feeling the cool night air hit my skin. Without warning, I leaped onto his back. He was caught off guard, nearly dropping me, but quickly steadied himself and carried me effortlessly.
“D, this is important,” I said, my voice slightly muffled as I clung to him. “I want to stay at the party!”
The alcohol had turned me into a hyperactive mess, buzzing with energy.
His chest shook with amusement as he shook his head. “Not tonight. We’ll come back. For now, let’s go.” His hands settled gently on the backs of my knees as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
He carried me away from the bustling party, moving towards the woods, away from the lake and the crowd. Our land was vast, dotted with various buildings and features, but among them, the most intriguing were the hidden waterfall and the secluded hot springs nestled deep within the forest.
“Are we going to the hot spring?” My excitement bubbled over, and I tightened my grip on him.
“Yes,” Darius chuckled. “We’re heading to the hot spring. Maybe some physical activity will help burn off some of that alcohol. You’re pretty wasted,” he teased.
I scoffed, pretending to be offended. “I’m not wasted! I’m just perfect!”
He considered this for a moment before replying, “No, you were at your peak before. Think of it this way: if you tire yourself out now, we can drink more when we get back.”
His logic made sense, even to my alcohol-fuzzed brain. I was definitely tipsy, especially with the Xanax mixed in. I was surprised I was still standing. Well, we ended up giving each other piggyback rides as we made our way through the forest.
Soon, we arrived at the hot spring. He carefully set me down, and I stood mesmerized by the scene before me. The moonlight made the water shimmer with a breathtaking blue glow. The pool, about four feet deep, was clear and inviting. Above us, the stars sparkled in the night sky, and the only sounds were the gentle chirps of crickets and the occasional croak of a frog.
“Do you want to gain access?” he asked, glancing over at me while starting to peel off his t-shirt. His muscles shifted and rippled with each movement. He wasn’t as muscular as Z, but it was still an impressive sight.
I furrowed my brow, considering the situation. “I don’t have a swimsuit,” I said, feeling a bit self-conscious.