Babysitting The Amnesiac Lycan King

Chapter 70

I need air.

Not just because I'm about two minutes away from wringing Celeste Vaelor's scrawny little neck, but because my dress reeks of wine, my shoes are cutting into my feet, and I feel Enoch's gaze like a goddamn brand on my skin-even from across the ballroom.

The music is loud enough to shake the floor beneath my heels, but I barely hear it over the rush of my own thoughts. It's been two hours since I danced with him. Two hours since I dared to raise my hand like a damn challenge in front of everyone, since his hands were on me, since we were too close and too obvious and too much.

No. No more thinking about that man.

I should be smart and stay where Liam can see me. Should blend in, act normal, and let this night pass without more unnecessary bloodshed.

But when have I ever done what I should?

“Liam, I'm going to step out for a bit,” I say, already shifting my weight toward the nearest open balcony door.

Predictably, he stiffens. "Yeah, no, not happening.

"Why?" I feign innocence, picking at the wine stain on my dress. "Scared I'll throw myself off the railing out of sheer boredom?"

Liam doesn't laugh. He levels me with his signature you're-a-goddamn-menace look, crossing his arms. "I don't trust you alone for five seconds, Sinclair."

Zoe clears her throat beside us, looking everywhere but at us. Weird. Usually, she'd be backing me up, adding a dramatic "Let the girl breathe, Liam!"

But now she's red-faced and quiet, stealing glances at Liam like he's suddenly grown three heads.

What the hell?

I squint at her. "Are you okay?"

"Yep!" she squeaks, grabbing a champagne flute from a passing tray and downing half of it. "Just peachy!"

That's suspicious. I file it away for later. Right now, I have an escape plan to execute.

"Look," I say, turning back to Liam. "You and Zoe should dance."

"You two should dance," I say, mostly to shut them up.

Zoe startles like I suggested something illegal. "What? No. Why would I-'

"You've been stuck with me all night, I'm giving you a chance to

looking anywhere but at Liam.

Huh.

Weird.

"Excuse me?" he deadpans.

escape." I nudge her, but she just presses her lips together,

"Dance," I repeat. "You know, two people moving to music? Maybe you've heard of it?"

1/5

11:52 Tue, 25 Mar ti

Chapter 70

Liam glares. "Sinclair-"

"Oh, don't be a killjoy, Calloway," I cut him off. "Zoe, tell him you want to dance."

Zoe turns the color of a ripe tomato. "I-uh-well, I mean-"

82%

+53)

Liam sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Whatever. But you-" He jabs a finger at me. "Stay where I can fucking see you."

"Cross my heart and hope to die," I sing-song, already slipping through the nearest exit.

He mutters something about regretting ever hiring me. Zoe, still visibly flustered, lets Liam pull her onto the dance floor, and I finally-finally-escape.

Jand

I store that weird reaction for later before slipping away through the

is

the suffocating ballroom. Cool air, the scent of rain in

Let my mind drift to something other than Enoch. Other than his hands on me, his mouth against mine, the way

Not thinking about

my hands against the railing, sucking in a deep breath. The city stretches below in a glittering sprawl, endless lights flickering

stain on my dress, the one that Lady

glass onto me. My brain is doing that thing where it rewrites the entire encounter,

meaner.

bad, did I trip and accidentally push

at the wine stain, muttering under my

comes near me, I'm throwing a whole bottle

shoved

shake my head. The

me exhausted

shaking my head, letting my gaze

time tonight, I feel

And then-

A shadow

rigid, every nerve in my body

Slowly, I turn.

He's there.

2/5

25 Mar

Chapter 70

Enoch.

me. A smirk tugging

I swallow. Hard.

82%

+53)

me though he has all the time in the world. That smirk is dangerous, lazy, knowing. His tux is crisp, his posture relaxed, but there's

My stomach flips violently.

to crawl into his lap and bury my face in his

come-fuck-me look that mkaes you thank the heavens you're a woman. Dressed in

smirk.

your slipper?" The night is suddenly

warm.

night is

of my goddamn ribcage. I turn back around to face the moon as I hear his steps move closer

waist. My knees are beginning to melt and I

apart just from the way his thumb brushes absently

bone.

Silence.

are locked on mine,

That fucking mask.

I hate it.

That I can't tell if this is

earlier. Or if this is the Enoch who left. The one who tore himself from my arms and walked away,

Then-suddenly.

hands flex against

Then-he moves.

Fast. Unforgiving.

throat as my back arches instinctively, my

is slamming against my

a

me is high enough to break bones, but it's not the fall that terrifies me. It's him. His touch.

But I don't move.

3/5

Chapter 70

82%

know exactly what's

hips. The way his breath, hot and unsteady, fans against my lips. My breath is ragged, my chest rising and

devours me.

We are both starving

between us is