88. The Dance
88. The Dance
Theodore's Pov
From across the hall, I saw Elliot approach Alina with that familiar, easy grin plastered on his face. He extended a hand to her, and she hesitated for a moment before accepting. My stomach churned as I watched them step onto the dance floor. The band struck up a jolly tune, and they began to move together, their steps light and carefree. Asher was busy playing nearby, completely oblivious to the tension building within me. I tried to focus on Mr. Robinson's words, nodding and responding appropriately, but my attention was elsewhere.
Alina was laughing now, her head thrown back in that way that always made my heart skip a beat. Elliot spun her around, his hand resting on her waist, and I felt a surge of jealousy so strong it almost made me see red. The music shifted, the lively tempo giving way to a slower, more intimate melody. Couples drifted onto the dance floor, swaying in each other's arms. I watched as Elliot pulled Alina closer, their bodies moving in sync. It was too much. I couldn't stand by and watch any longer.
I felt like gutting his intestines out or simply shooting him. That would make the job easy, right? "I apologize, Mr. Robinson," I said abruptly, cutting off whatever he had been saying. "Please excuse me for a moment." Without waiting for a response, I marched across the hall, my eyes fixed on Alina and Elliot.
My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of anger and determination driving me forward. As I reached them, I didn't bother hiding my irritation. "Excuse me," I said sharply, my voice cutting through the music. Elliot looked up, startled, his grip on Alina loosening. Alina's eyes widened in surprise, a flush spreading across her cheeks. Before either of them could react, I took Alina's hand and pulled her away from Elliot, stepping between them with a possessiveness I couldn't disguise.
"Theodore, what—" Alina began, but I didn't give her a chance to finish. I slid an arm around her waist, drawing her close. The touch was electric, grounding me even as my emotions threatened to spiral out of control.
"Dance with me," I said, my voice softer but still tinged with intensity. Elliot stood there, his confusion evident. I spared him a glance, my expression hard.
"If you'll excuse us," I added, making it clear that his presence was no longer welcome. He nodded slowly, stepping back, but not without a lingering look at Alina. She, in turn, looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for an explanation. I held her gaze, my heart pounding. The slow song enveloped us as we began to move together. For a moment, I felt her resistance, but then she relaxed into my arms. We swayed to the music, the rest of the world fading away. My jealousy simmered beneath the surface, but being this close to her, feeling her warmth, eased the worst of it.
"What's going on, Theodore?" she whispered, her breath warm against my neck.
"I couldn't stand watching you with him," I admitted, my voice low and raw. "I needed to be with you." Alina's breath hitched, a subtle indication that my words had affected her. As we moved together, the tension between us shifted from anger to something more intense, more electric. The slow rhythm of the music guided our steps, but it was the unspoken emotions that truly dictated our dance. I drew her closer, feeling her heartbeat quicken in tandem with mine. Her breath was warm against my neck, each exhale sending a shiver down my spine.
The heat between us was palpable, a magnetic force that pulled us together, dissolving the space that once separated us. With a subtle shift of my hand, I guided her into a graceful dip. She arched backward, her eyes widening in surprise, her lips parting in a soft gasp. For a heartbeat, time seemed to stop as I held her there, suspended, her body curving with a fluid elegance that took my breath away. Then, with a practiced ease, I lifted her back up, bringing her flush against my chest. The impact of our closeness was immediate and intense. I could feel every breath she took, each rise and fall of her chest matching mine. Her hands clung to my shoulders, steadying herself as she looked up at me, her eyes dark with a mix of emotions.
"Theodore," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music, but it resonated deep within me. I didn’t respond with words. Instead, I let my actions speak. I led her in a series of slow, deliberate steps, each movement designed to keep her close, to make her feel the depth of my need for her. Our bodies moved as one, the chemistry between us undeniable, each touch and glide stoking the fire that burned between us. I dipped her again, slower this time, savoring the way her body responded to mine. Her fingers tightened on my shoulders, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts.
As I brought her back up, I pressed her against me, the contact sending a jolt of electricity through my veins. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, her lips parting as if to say something, but no words came. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her forehead resting against mine. We were lost in the moment, the rest of the world fading into insignificance. All that mattered was the connection we shared, the silent communication that spoke of longing, of desire, of a bond that went beyond mere words. My hand moved to the small of her back, drawing her even closer, if that was possible. I could feel the heat of her skin through the fabric of her dress, the subtle tremor in her muscles mirroring my own internal tremors. We swayed together, the slow music providing a backdrop to the symphony of our hearts.
As the song neared its end, I leaned down, my lips brushing against her ear. "I can't lose you, Alina," I murmured, my voice husky with emotion. "You mean everything to me." As we ended, the crowd erupted in applause as we watched confused and realized that everyone had witnessed us dancing like that. Thea came to Alina's side because I thought she could see how flushed and red Alina was and how desperately she was seeking a distraction. “That was beautiful,” she smiled uncomfortably trying to break the tension. “I think it's time for the cake cutting.”