Desperation of Love by Alice Montalvo-Tribue Page B

makes me dizzy with something that I can’t explain. Desire maybe, or intoxication. I’m engulfed by him, his arms around me. His body against mine makes me feel more alive as everything else melts away, until it’s just him and I entwined in our dance. A fleeting moment that I wish could last beyond the length of a song. Before long, his lips are connecting with mine, his kiss filling me with warmth and anticipation. Suddenly, our dancing bodies are the last thing on my mind.
    The kiss ends, along with the song, and I can’t help but look around, feeling like I’m on display.
    “It was just a kiss, Jordan. No one cares,” he whispers into my ear. I smile up at him, knowing that he’s right, but making out in public has never really been something I’m comfortable with. When it comes to Alex, it’s easy for me to get carried away. Be something I never thought I’d be, do things that I never thought I’d do. Things like agreeing to try a relationship in the first place, but dammit he can be persuasive. Those eyes are hard for me to resist. Right now, they are speaking volumes to me about what the night has in store for us. I need to break the moment because it’s getting a little too hot and heavy for the dance floor. “I’m going to the ladies room.”
    He nods. “Meet me back at the bar?”
    “Okay.” He places a gentle kiss on my lips and lets me go. Turning away from him, I make my way down the narrow corridor that leads to the restrooms. As usual, the wait for the ladies bathroom is out the door, and I find myself in an obscenely long line. My mind wanders to the past few days and how Alex has pushed his way into my life. Granted, I didn’t put up much of a fight, but it’s funny how things can change so quickly. As much as I tell myself that his advances have been unwanted, realistically, I know that isn’t true. His infiltration into every crevice of my life excites me on some level. It’s not like we have a love at first sight kind of relationship. I’ve known him for a while, but I’m starting to realize that my feelings for him run deeper than I ever imagined. Why else would I let him in so easily? Let him run Mark off? Practically move into my house? Is it possible that deep down, I’ve been waiting for Alex to be ready to give me more than just an occasional make out session?
    I finally make it in and out of the bathroom then I walk out through the hallway to the crowded lounge area. I’ve only been gone ten minutes but the size of the crowd has grown significantly. It’s hard to see through the bodies dancing, and I’m not sure if I can make it back to Alex that way. I decide to circle the dance floor instead. The bar comes into view and I come to a halt as I take in the scene in front of me. Alex is leaning against the bar, surrounded by not one, but two women. The tall brunette closest to him puts her hand on his shoulder and leans in to say something in his ear. He throws his head back and laughs at whatever she said then turns back to the bar and fetches two drinks, handing them over to the women. I can feel the heat rising up to my cheeks, a mix of anger and jealousy taking over my senses. Why would he bring me here just so he can flaunt other women in my face? Instinctively, I want to walk over to them and stake my claim on him or cause a scene, or better yet, leave him here and let him wonder what the hell happened to me. But I choose to go against my natural inclinations and do something to get back at him instead.
    I turn away from them and spot a group of guys standing off to the side of the dance floor. At this point, I don’t care what they look like. I set my sights on one and make my way over. He sees me coming and slowly smiles at me. He looks like a lion about to pounce on his prey. He’s cute for all intents and purposes, I’ll give him that. He’s a little shorter than Alex, less muscular, but handsome, nonetheless.
    “Hey, gorgeous,” he says as I get within