Chapter 33 Chapter 33
Adele
The party was already in full swing by the time we arrived. Music thumped through the space, low and heavy, vibrating through the floor and making the air smell of alcohol. Lights bounced off polished metal and leather jackets.
Amelia sat beside Maxwell on the couch, close enough to touch, yet miles apart. He was stiff, silent, his attention fixed anywhere but on her. She sat composed, hands resting neatly in her lap, It was uncomfortable to watch.
The other guys were far more relaxed. Girls sat on their laps, arms around shoulders, legs draped carelessly, laughter spilling easily. It was obvious this wasn’t new for them. Rafe, on the other hand, stepped out to receive a call and hadn’t come back in since.
I, however, sat alone, legs crossed, drink in hand, completely unbothered. After a few moments, Rafe stepped back into the party and headed straight toward me.
He didn’t ask before sliding into the empty chair beside me, as if it had always been his. Close enough that his arm brushed mine. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He is so fine, Greek god kind of handsome, tall, strong, effortless. The only man in the room who could even rival Maxwell in looks. And he smelled so good.
When he walked in, the other girls couldn’t take their eyes off him. His presence alone shifted the energy around me. I turned slightly toward him, a small smile forming, already ready for whatever game the night would bring.
“So,” he said, giving me that confident, easy smile, the one that made his dimples appear just at the right moment, “what is the name of this beautiful, confident lady?” He stared right into my eyes, like he wanted to memorize every detail.
I stared back for a moment, letting the pause stretch just enough to tease him, before finally collecting myself. “I know you have been told this a million times,” I said with a laugh, “but you are so cute.”
His smile widened, and his eyes twinkled. “So, your name is that long?” he teased, clearly enjoying himself.
We both laughed lightly, and I rolled my eyes, pretending to be exasperated. “Adele,” I said finally.
He nodded slowly, letting the word linger on his lips. “Adele,” he repeated, smooth and deliberate. I almost melted at the way he said it. “You are so beautiful, and I love your energy.
You feel like a breath of fresh air,” he added, his gaze locked on mine.
I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Boy, you just met me,” I said, trying to sound modest but failing. “Amelia thinks I am troubled and dramatic. She’d argue with you if she heard that.”
He chuckled, a low, warm sound that sent a thrill down my spine. “Doesn’t matter,” he said, leaning just slightly closer, enough for me to feel it. “I like what I see. You are lively and vibrant. You stand out.”
I felt my cheeks warm, and I had to remind myself to breathe. “Well,” I said, leaning back a little but keeping my eyes on him, “you certainly know how to make a lady feel noticed.”
“I aim to,” he said smoothly, grinning like he knew exactly what effect he had. “And trust me, I am just getting started.”
I laughed again, unable to stop myself, and caught the way his eyes softened, the playful intensity in them, and realized, I was completely hooked. And judging by the way he looked at me, he was just as caught up as I was.
Ever since my broken engagement with Killian five years ago, it had been hard to find a man I actually connected with. Just a few dates, and I was already exhausted, none of them worth sticking around for more than a week.
I missed having someone who truly loved and cherished me, someone who could see past my flaws and even help me grow. The spark I hadn’t felt in years flickered faintly in just a few hours with Rafe. But I wasn’t about to rush things. I’d take my time, follow his lead, and let it happen naturally.
Just then, his phone rang, and I saw “Jenna” flash on the screen. Our eyes met, and he gave me a small, apologetic smile. “I have to take this,” he said.
I nodded, trying to hide the pang of disappointment. So much for Mr. Charming, I guess he was taken, and I was wasting my time.
I grabbed my drink and downed it in one go. Twenty minutes passed, and he still hadn’t returned. I kept drinking, imagining how he’d explain himself to his girlfriend, the jealousy rising and mixing with the alcohol.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Amelia, quiet, sipping her own drink while Maxwell hovered nearby, a silent warning in his posture.
Then she stood and walked over. Without a word, she slid into the seat Rafe had just vacated. “You look pissed,” she said casually, raising an eyebrow.
“Is it because I am not a six-foot, hot, handsome mechanic?” she added, teasing, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
I laughed despite myself, shaking my head.
Amelia always knew how to get under my skin.
“He has a girlfriend and has been outside for over thirty minutes, explaining himself to her,” I said, my voice sharp, irritation clear.
“What? And I was rooting for you guys,” Amelia said, her eyebrows shooting up in mock surprise. “Come on,” she added quickly, grabbing my hands. “Let’s go dance. We can’t let these guys ruin our mood and energy.”
We were clearly drunk, but that only made the idea more irresistible. We needed to burn off some tension, to let go of everything building up around us.
I let her pull me toward the center of the room.
The dance floor was already alive, bodies swaying, lights flashing, music vibrating through the floor. We joined in, letting the rhythm take over.
This used to be our lives, years ago—partying, drinking, wild abandon, nights that ended in reckless, passionate sex before Killian and Declan had pulled everything apart. I pushed the thought aside and focused on the now.
We danced close, bodies sliding against each other in time with the beat, laughing, teasing, letting the energy flow through us. Each movement was sharp, confident, and a little seductive, like we owned the night, like nothing else existed outside this circle of music, heat, and motion.
Amelia kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the table in front of us, swinging her body to the rhythm. The crowd cheered, clapped, and whistled, she was on fire tonight, completely untouchable.
In an instant, Maxwell appeared. His presence alone silenced the noise around him. Before anyone could react, he was in front of her, lifting her effortlessly off the table. Without a word, he dragged her outside, his face dark with anger.
I turned and froze for a moment, then realized Rafe was standing right behind me, leaning casually, that confident grin on his face.
“Don’t you think that’s enough dancing for the night?” he said, stretching his hands toward me.
“You have no right to tell me what I can or can’t do,” I shot back, stepping closer.
He raised his hands in mock surrender, clearly amused. I walked past him, but he followed. As soon as we hit the cool night air outside the club, he grabbed my hands firmly.
“I thought we were cool?” he said, his voice low, calm. “I am sorry. I wasn’t trying to control you.”
“Don’t you have someone else to talk to? Why are you following me?” I said, keeping my eyes on the ground, refusing to give him the satisfaction.
He smiled, a slow, confident grin. “Jealous and possessive,” he said, and I felt a shiver when his hand lifted to touch my chin, gently turning my face toward him.
“Jenna is my ex… my past,” he continued, his eyes locked on mine. “I just blocked her because I met my future.”
The words hit me, and I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.
Author's note: between Rafe and Adele, is it going to be fling or real.
And if you can't remember Rafe, in chapter 14, Maxwell friend, the guy who have an ex girlfriend, jenna, that was unwilling to pack out of his house.