Free Evermore, an Arotas Novella (The Arotas Series) by Amy Miles Page B

slipped a few too many steroids over the years.
    Only
the strobe lights flitting from a crisscross of metal rafters
overhead lights the dance floor in a myriad of shapes and neon
colors. Black lights hang from above, casting a luminescent glow on
everything. The music pouring from speakers thumps in Roseline’s
chest and she can feel herself being drawn in. Pandemic offers
a crowd that you can easily get lost in.
    “This
is wicked.” William leans far over the railing, taking it all
in. His hair is matted to his forehead and he unconsciously brushes
it back out of his eyes. Trickles of sweat trail down his neck and
into his vest. Strong muscular arms taper into strong hands,
unobscured by sleeves. He is sure to turn a few heads in this crowd,
as are Nicolae and Gabriel, but she knows they can handle themselves.
    Roseline
can’t help but feel slightly protective over William, as if he
were a brother to her instead of just a friend. “Keep an eye on
him tonight,” she whispers to Gabriel. “We don’t
need to have someone slipping something into his drink, or have
Claudia turn up unannounced and fly into a jealous rage.”
    He
nods and silently moves toward William’s side, suggesting they
grab drinks for everyone.
    “What
about you? Are you going to watch over my brother too?” Sadie
purrs, running her hand down Nicolae’s arm.
    A
telltale flush rises along his neck and he nods. “Only if you
promise me a dance later.”
    “Deal.”
    Sadie
and Roseline watch as the guys move away, unconsciously tapping their
boots in time with the music. “So we’re here now,”
Sadie says, glancing down at the dance floor. “What now?”
    A
slow smile spreads along Roseline’s lips as she tugs on her
friend’s hand. “I want to dance.”
    “Right
on!” Sadie whoops and follows Roseline’s lead as they
slither through the crowd, shoving against hot bodies as they weave
toward the center of the dance floor.
    Roseline
isn’t familiar with the song blasting through the speakers, but
the guitar riff calls to her as she begins to sway her hips. Sadie
closes her eyes and raises her hands in the air, weaving to the beat.
    The
scents rise around Roseline, drawing her into a different place. She
focuses on the colognes, perfumes, and the thumping of heartbeats as
she writhes beside Sadie. She has only ever felt this free once
before—back in Chicago at the prom with William. It was the
first time she could truly dance, to express herself.
    Roseline’s
eyes fly open wide with the memory. “Sadie, I should probably
warn you—” But she never gets the chance to say anything
as a hand grabs her friend’s backside.
    Sadie’s
eye fly open wide as she turns to find a guy, probably barely old
enough to be allowed into the club, flashing a wide grin as his hand
continues to feel her up. “Hey, beautiful. Wanna dance?”
    “Sadie…”
Roseline warns as her friend’s hand curls into a fist. “This
is not the place.”
    Sadie
grits her teeth and releases her fingers, pressing them tightly
against her outer thigh. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’ve
already got a dance partner.”
    His
vivid blue gaze rises to take in Roseline beside her and his grin
widens into a leer. “More the merrier.”
    “We
should leave now,” Roseline says, tugging gently on Sadie’s
arm. As she turns to leave, she comes face to face with another man,
his chest broad and squarely meeting her at eye level.
    “What’s
the hurry?” His voice is deep and his breath rank with alcohol
as she looks up to meet his slightly glazed stare.
    Three
more guys encircle them, each with a definite lustful glint in their
eyes. Roseline sighs and looks to Sadie. “I knew this would be
a bad idea.”
    “Nah.
It’s the best idea you’ve had all night,” a guy
with a torn white T-shirt and a set of perfectly straight teeth that
glow brilliantly under the backlight says.
    Roseline
ignores him and focuses only on Sadie. She can hear the wild thumping
of the men’s