Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
As Crystal led him onto the dance floor, the DJ transitioned to a lively salsa number. The familiar rhythm instantly transported Damien back to high school, and a grin spread across his face.
“You remember this one?” Crystal’s eyes twinkled.
Damien chuckled, positioning his hands. “How could I forget? You spent weeks drilling these steps into my head.”
They began to move, falling into the rhythm with the practiced ease of muscle memory. Damien’s fingers tapped out the beat on Crystal’s back, an unconscious habit from his years on stage.
“I’m surprised you still know the moves,” Crystal teased, executing a perfect spin.
Damien caught her smoothly, pulling her close. “Some things you never forget,” he murmured, suddenly aware of how well they fit together.
As they moved across the floor, Damien found himself marveling at Crystal’s grace. Her jewel-toned dress swirled around her legs, catching the light with each turn.
“You know,” he said, dipping her slightly, “I think you might have missed your calling. You could’ve been a professional dancer.”
Crystal laughed, the sound musical and infectious. “Says the man who can command an entire stadium with just his guitar.”
They fell silent for a moment, letting the music guide them.
As the song reached its crescendo, Damien felt a surge of confidence. Without thinking, he spun Crystal out, then pulled her back in for a dramatic dip.
Crystal’s breath caught as Damien slowly lifted her from the dip. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the bustling party around them faded away. He found himself hyperaware of her body in his arms, the warmth of her skin. His heart raced.
“Crystal, I—” Damien began, his voice low and husky.
But before he could find the right words, she quickly stepped back, breaking the spell.
“That was… quite a finale,” she said, with what sounded like a forced light laugh. “I didn’t realize you’d become such a talented dancer.”
Damien ran a hand through his tousled hair, unsure of what to do with his arms now that she wasn’t in them. “Well, I had a good teacher,” he replied with a half-smile.
Crystal shook out her dress and tucked her hair behind her ears. “I should get back to work,” she said, glancing around the room. “Make sure everything’s running smoothly.”
“Right, of course.” Damien hoped his expression was neutral.
He took another soda from a circling waiter and prayed that no one else would interrupt his thoughts for a while. He wanted to process what had just happened. Over the years, he had danced with Crystal a hundred times. But it had never felt like this—so electric and full of intimacy. He hadn’t even needed to think about the steps. It had been like dancing with the other half of himself. He ran his fingers through his hair, a nervous habit he’d never quite shaken. The lingering warmth of Crystal’s body against his, the scent of her perfume still clinging to his shirt, left him reeling.
“Damien! Great show.” A fan’s voice snapped him back to reality.
“Thanks,” he replied automatically, plastering on his practiced smile.
As he chatted and mingled, his mind kept drifting back to Crystal. How had he never noticed the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed? The graceful curve of her neck as she moved?
“Your music just speaks to me, you know?” a young woman gushed, clutching his arm. “It’s like you understand exactly what I’m going through.”
Damien nodded, offering a kind smile. “I’m glad it resonates with you.”
But internally, he felt a pang of loneliness. These fans, they thought they knew him through his lyrics. But did anyone truly understand him? The real him?
He scanned the room, catching glimpses of Crystal as she effortlessly managed the event. Much as he hated to admit it, his brother was right. Crystal had always been captivating. How long had he been suppressing these feelings?
“Excuse me,” he said to the group around him. “I need some air.”
Damien slipped out onto a stone patio, the cool night a relief on his flushed skin. He leaned against a tree, staring out at the moonlit ocean.
“What am I doing?” he muttered to himself. “She’s my sister’s best friend. We’ve known each other forever.”
But the memory of their dance, the electricity between them, wouldn’t leave him. For the first time in years, he felt truly seen, not as Damien the rock star, but just… Damien.
He sighed, conflict churning inside him. His life on the road, the constant spotlight—it all suddenly felt hollow compared to the genuine connection he’d just experienced.
“Hey, you okay?” A voice startled him. It was Erin, looking far too grown up in a sleek black dress. Her eyes were full of concern and he saw that despite their differences lately, she loved him. He suddenly felt bad for giving her such a hard time about Jay. It wasn’t her fault that she’d fallen for Archer’s best friend. Because here he was, thinking the unthinkable about Erin’s best friend. The irony wasn’t lost on him.