Chapter 7: Dancing in the Stars

Cody POV

I’m still buzzing from last night when Ryan knocks on my door again. It’s late, the sun just gone, and I open it fast. He stands there, hood up, sunglasses low, grinning like trouble. “Get in,” he says, nodding to a sleek black car parked outside. Its windows are dark, hiding everything. My heart jumps(private) jumps. I grab my jacket, lock the door, and follow him. He opens the car door for me. I slide in. The seats are soft, leather, smelling new. He hops in the driver’s side, starts it up, and we peel out. “Where we going?” I ask, voice shaky.

“My spot,” he says, eyes on the road. “No one finds me there.” His voice is low, secret. My stomach flips. I nod, watching him drive. His hood’s still up, but I see his jaw, sharp and strong. He’s so hot it hurts.

We wind through L.A. streets, lights flashing by. The city glows bright below us as he takes a turn up a hill. We stop at a gate. He punches a code, and it swings open. A rooftop hideout. He parks, and we get out. The skyline sparkles below, all glitter and noise. Stars wink above, clear and bright. It’s quiet up here. Just us. My chest feels tight. He grabs my hand, warm and firm, and pulls me to the edge. “Like it?” he asks, grinning.

“Yeah,” I say, breathless. “It’s unreal.”

He tugs me close. “Dance with me,” he says soft. There’s no music, just our breathing. My hands land on his hips, light at first. I’m nervous. He pulls me in fast. Chest to chest. Groin to groin. Heat blooms where we touch. My breath catches. He starts moving, slow and easy. I follow, clumsy but trying. His hands slide down, resting on my waist. My fingers creep up, brushing his neck. He’s warm, solid. I feel him hard against me, through his jeans. I’m hard too. It’s crazy how bad I want him.

His lips graze my neck. Soft. Wet. He sucks light, a little promise. I whimper, can’t stop it. My hips rock into his, slow and needy. He groans low, pressing closer. We grind together. Clothes stay on, but I feel everything. His hands cup my butt, squeezing firm. I tug his hair, thick and soft between my fingers. My head spins. It’s too much. It’s perfect.

“I’m falling,” I breathe, face buried in his shoulder. His hoodie smells like him, sharp and good.

He smirks against my skin. “Good. ‘Cause I’m already gone.” He nips my earlobe, quick and sharp. I gasp, legs shaky. We stumble back, hitting a blanket he must’ve set up. We collapse on it, laughing soft. He rolls on top, pinning me. His lips find mine, lazy and deep. Our tongues tangle, slow and hot. I taste him, sweet and wild. My hands roam his back, feeling muscle under his shirt. He presses down, rocking into me. I moan into his mouth. He swallows it, kissing harder.

We slow down, panting. His forehead rests on mine. “You’re killing me,” he whispers. His breath’s hot on my lips.

“You started it,” I say, grinning. My heart’s pounding. He laughs, quiet and rough. We kiss again, softer now. His hand slips under my shirt, tracing my stomach. I shiver, arching up. He stops there, teasing me. I groan, frustrated. He chuckles, pulling back a little. “Gotta savor this,” he says.

I nod, too dizzy to argue. My neck’s wet from his mouth. Hickeys bloom under my collar, I bet. I don’t care. I just want him. We lie there, tangled up, staring at the stars. His fingers play with mine, lacing them tight. My chest feels full. Too full. “This is nuts,” I say quiet.

“Yeah,” he says. “Best kind of nuts.” He turns his head, eyes locking on mine. They’re dark, shiny. I could drown in them. My free hand brushes his cheek. He leans into it, closing his eyes. I’m so gone for him. It scares me. But I love it.

We stay like that, quiet for a bit. The city hums below. A breeze cools my skin. His thumb rubs my palm, steady and slow. I shift closer, resting my head on his chest. His heartbeat thumps under my ear. Fast, like mine. “You do this a lot?” I ask, half joking.

“Nah,” he says. “Just with you.” His voice is soft, serious. My throat gets tight. I tilt my head up, catching his lips again. Quick. Sweet. He smiles against me. “You’re trouble, Cody.”

“Me?” I laugh. “You’re the one sneaking me up here.”

He grins big. “Worth it.” He pulls me tighter, arm around my shoulders. I melt into him. My legs tangle with his. We’re a mess, but it’s ours. I close my eyes, breathing him in. His hand slides up my back, warm and slow. I’m aching for more, but this is enough. For now.

Then his pocket buzzes. He groans, shifting to dig out his phone. I sit up a little, curious. He glances at the screen. His face changes. Tightens. My stomach drops. “What?” I ask, voice small.

He turns it so I can see. A text. With a photo. Us. Kissing. On the balcony last night. Grainy, but clear enough. My heart stops. Someone saw. Someone knows.