Chapter 63: Fleeting Attraction

< Shirley >
My birthday party was going on great.
The ballroom we were at was full of people I knew. It was gleaming with the colorful lights. The volume of the music was low and the songs were my favorites. It was decorated perfectly; not too childish nor too mature.
Most of the respected people were out in the hall, and the youngsters were enjoying the ballroom with all sorts of drinks, just like high school days.
I was holding the edges of my gown and walking around to welcome some of my colleagues. I was wearing a maroon satin boat neck gown which had slits on both sides, along with the bracelet Dylan gave me. My hair was left in beautiful curls over my shoulder. My makeup wasn't too heavy; it only highlighted my features.
I was talking to a former classmate when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around to find Sienna and Xavier.
My face broke into a huge smile as I hugged them while they wished me a happy birthday and handed over their gifts.
Sienna broke the hug and gave me a mischievous look. "You look so alluring, I think someone is going to have a hard time taking their eyes off you." I slightly blushed and looked away, knowing who she was hinting at, and my eyes were only searching for that someone's handsome face.
"If you're looking for that someone, he isn't here yet. He is busy cursing us and parking the car," Xavier interrupted.
"No, I wasn't looking for Dylan," I tried to justify.
"I never said Dylan was parking the car, now did I? It could be our guards too." Xavier smirked, and Sienna chuckled. I averted my gaze away.
"O Shilly, can I marry you?" Xavier took my hands in his like a prince.
I knew he was going to start acting now.
"It feels like every atom in my body is being gravitated towards you," he used a clichéd pickup line, and I started laughing at his horrible attempt. "Your smile makes my heart race faster than a Koennise Azera RD, not that I would know anything about that car, but this is what Dylan would say to you in his head," he continued, making me laugh more.
"Don't butcher the name. It's Koenigsegg Agera RS, idiot," I corrected it.
"You—" Xavier was cut off by a girl named Sveta, who was a good friend of mine from university.
"Excuse me, would you like to dance with me?" she asked with a smile, tucking her hair behind her ears.
"Sure." Xavier went off with her, not before clicking his tongue at me. Sienna also excused herself and went to talk to some business tycoons and famous personalities.
"But where the hell is that jerk?" I huffed and placed my hands on my hips.
"Looking for me?" a husky voice whispered in my ears, sending shivers down my spine. His warm breath fanned on my bare skin, making my lips curve into a huge smile. I turned around to come face to face with Dylan.
He was smiling at me mischievously. My cheeks heated up at how handsome he looked. He was wearing a button-up white shirt underneath a maroon blazer, paired with black formal jeans and black shoes. Perfect.
I threw my arms around his neck and inhaled his heavenly cologne. I couldn't express how happy I was to see him. I had to pursue him for half an hour last night while talking on the phone to make him agree to come here.
Dylan wrapped his arms around me and whispered, "Happy birthday once again." I could feel him smiling which made my smile wider.
"Thank you," I replied with a big smile.
"You look enthralling," he murmured, and I blushed at his compliment.
"And you look delicious—" His lips twitched at that.
"I'm not a food."
"—ly handsome," I completed and flashed him a tight-lipped smile which he returned with a teasing one. He sure did love to tease me.
"But are you sure you're not lying? I think I look like a clown." His expressions clouded with doubts as he glanced at himself.
"No, you look... gorgeous."
"I'm not a girl." He shot me a flat look.
I giggled and said, "You look hot."
"Thank Goodness." Dylan sighed and gazed away for seconds before speaking up again, "You don't want to know what I went through today because of Sienna." He shook his head, trying not to remember the horrors. Therefore, once again thanks to Sienna, our outfits matched.
"I have reserved a special seat for you since you don't like socializing." I started walking towards the bar counter with him trailing behind.
"Don't tell me it's beside the DJ." I chuckled at his lack of faith in me. "Wherever you're taking me, give me a spot where I can have my eyes on you."
I creased my forehead and asked, "Why?"
"Because I won't be able to take my eyes off you tonight." I tucked the strand of hair behind my ear nervously. I touched my cheek to feel its warmth rising. Sienna really did know him better than anyone. "You look adorable while blushing."
Was he high tonight? Or was it just a birthday thingy?
I stopped walking and motioned at the barstool at the corner away from the crowd. I started playing with my fingers to not meet his grey eyes.
"You're a lifesaver," Dylan said and kissed my cheek before sitting on the stool. He took out his cell phone and earphones. He was about to plug the earphones in his ear when Violet approached me.
"New cart—huh, Dylan?" Dylan glanced at her and put on a fake smile.
"Oh, hello, Ms. Mckenzie," Dylan greeted and went back to plugging his earphones.
"You guys know each other?" I looked in between both of them. Violet never told me she met him.
"Yeah, we are having a deal together. Before you make any assumptions, I just met him a week ago. So, I wasn't hiding anything," Violet explained.
I gave her a narrowed look. "Whatever." I frowned.
I didn't notice Violet was calling someone until I heard her voice. "Eric, bring everyone over at the corner of the bar counter quickly. We have got to meet Shirl's boyfriend."
"My God! He is not my boyfriend," I exclaimed and snatched the phone away from Violet, but the damage was already done. It was a relief that Dylan couldn't hear us as he was listening to music while scrolling through some documents on his phone.
Soon after that, my friends gathered around Dylan as if he was the spotlight of the party, which he was for me.
Noticing the sudden crowd around him, Dylan took out one of his earphones and asked awkwardly, "May I help you?"
"We are Shirley's friends," Richard started.
I face-palmed as Dylan asked, "So?"
"So what?" Savannah asked back.
"I guess, everyone here is Shirley's friend... What's there to introduce?" Dylan was feeling conscious around those lunatics.
"Yes, you're right..." Their conversation went on forever. Plus, it made no sense. It was just them asking Dylan weird questions and him replying awkwardly. Sighing, I left those six crazy friends of mine with Dylan.
I saw Ryan sipping a glass of whiskey away from everyone else. I didn't approach him, knowing it would end up in his depressing tears. He probably still had feelings for me, though he was trying to get over it.
I started greeting the new guests that arrived. I checked up on my mom as she came with me. I was at my parent's place the whole morning and afternoon with Adrian and Mom. My dad couldn't make it since he wasn't in the state.
I was talking to Mom when someone covered my eyes from behind. "Who?" I asked and touched their warm hands. I recognized the familiar cologne. "Ady?"
"You're no fun." Adrian uncovered my eyes, letting me see him. He was grinning at me. "Happy birthday, little sis." He gave me a hug which I didn't respond to. "Mad at me?" I stuck up my nose in the air. "Don't be. Tomorrow I will explain everything." He winked at me playfully.
"How do you know I will understand?" I crossed my arms.
"Try being an optimist, you damn pessimist." He poked my forehead, and I scowled at him.
"Stop fighting, you two. Always fighting and fighting. Shirley, at least spare him on your birthday," Mom scolded.
"It's entirely his fault this time." I stomped my foot and walked away.
I sat down beside Dylan and rested my head on the bar counter. I was sulking meanwhile Dylan was busy on his phone without noticing me. I let out a huge sigh and closed my eyes, listening to the music in the background.
"Don't fall asleep," Dylan spoke up.
"So, you did notice me after all." I opened my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder.
"You are not an ant, so yeah I was able to notice you," he replied, and I chuckled. "And somehow I can just feel it whenever you're around me." I giggled at his blunt lie.
"Hey, want to dance?" Dylan proposed, startling me.
I thought my ears were ringing, so I let out, "Sorry?"
"Would you like to dance with me, Ms. Hamilton?" he asked more clearly. My cheeks heated up a little bit, and I started playing with my fingers.
"S—sure."
Dylan stood up and offered his hand. I shyly held his hand and walked to the dance floor, everyone's eyes boring at us. A romantic song was being played in the background for the couple dancing, so the spotlight fell on us as I was the birthday girl. Everyone there was my closest one, hence I didn't have to worry about it being revealed outside.
Dylan placed his hand on my waist, and I put mine on the back of his shoulder. We entwined our free hands and started moving along the beats.
My heart was thumping like crazy. I never thought I would feel so freaky during a casual dance. However, the twist was, nothing was casual with Dylan for me.
"Hey, relax. You look like you're about to faint," Dylan murmured.
I looked up at him to find his grey eyes staring at me with concern. I breathed in and out before flashing him a smile, matching my steps with him swiftly.
Everything was going smoothly until the lights dimmed. I gained more confidence as he couldn't see my flustered face anymore.
"How romantic," I gushed in amusement.
"I know, right?" I was astonished at Dylan's reply as he twirled me. After that, my back clashed with his chiseled chest. My heart started to beat faster when he placed his hand on my stomach and I placed my hand on top of his. I closed my eyes at the comfortable feeling.
I could feel his hot breath against my bare neck. I didn't have the courage to ask him what he was doing.
Gradually, his breath hitting my neck was replaced with his lips. When his lips touched the back of my neck, different emotions erupted within me. His lips traveled from the back to my sensitive part, trailing wet kisses all over my neck.
He started to bite my sensitive skin. I couldn't comprehend the feeling of ecstasy.
"Dyl—" I couldn't complete my sentence as a low moan escaped my lips. He bit it harder than before. It was painfully pleasurable.
I tightened my grip over his hand. He soothed the spot immediately by sucking it. It was going to leave a mark though.
I would be lying if I said that I was not enjoying it. The feeling of his lips on my skin, it was dreamy.
But Dylan shifted to bite another spot over my neck which made me moan louder, though I tried to stop it by biting my lips. I could feel him smile against my skin. I couldn't help but smile as well. I finally understood what a love bite was, and how it felt.
But it didn't last long as Dylan twirled me around once again, putting an end to the heavenly wet kisses on my neck. Disappointment clouded my thoughts. We again started dancing hand in hand.
Why did he stop? He could continue longer.
Within a few seconds, the song ended and the lights returned.
Everyone started clapping. That's when I realized we were the only ones left dancing while the lights were gone.
Dylan abruptly left my hand and mumbled in my ears, fear flashing in his eyes, "We should stop this. This is nothing but a fleeting attraction." With that, he walked away from me.
That was a punch to my guts. Unconsciously, a tear managed to slip out of my eyes. I quickly wiped it with the back of my palm and ran to the restroom.
It was only a fleeting attraction for him? Was he kidding me? Could he not feel what I felt for him, how deep my feelings for him ran?
Did he not understand me at all?