The Thalia Series: The Complete Collection by Jennifer Bene

Author:Jennifer Bene [Bene, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Crucible.

Thalia hadn’t known what to expect when Maggie had suggested it. She’d asked James about it and he’d only kissed her and told her it was a ‘wait-and-see’ kind of place. Of all the ideas that had floated through her head, she could have never imagined what they found when they got to Crucible’s location for the night.

After parking on a busy street in the middle of Edinburgh and climbing out of Kalen’s car to wait for the others to grab spaces, Thalia’s mind was racing. James had hugged her close to keep her warm in the cold air since the very tight, and very short, little black dress she wore did nothing against the chill. He had picked it though, and the way he’d grinned when she put it on was worth the temporary shivers. Julie and Antonio had arrived next. She was wearing a dress the color of mist and it made her hair glow like a halo around her head in the streetlights. Antonio’s dark hair and dusky skin were a sharp contrast. They stayed to the side, whispering to each other and kissing occasionally with big smiles. It made Thalia feel warm to watch them.

James pulled her attention away when he turned her in his arms so she looked up at him, “Well, baby, how are you feeling?” His thumb traced her bottom lip and she smiled. He looked so serious, and all Thalia could feel was the thrumming nervous excitement beating through her veins. None of her usual panic or anxiety.

“I’m fine, I promise. I’m actually excited to see it... You know, Analiese said she used to go to clubs like this all the time.” Thalia felt heat in her cheeks as she heard Chloe and Lauren’s laughter approaching, “She said I’d probably like them, like getting to see others like me, that I’d like getting to be myself where no one would judge me.”

James chuckled and pulled her closer to the heat of his body, and she slid her arms under his jacket, soaking it in. Thalia pressed her cheek to his chest, breathing deep the smell of clean soap, warm skin, and spice that was intrinsically James. “No one is going to judge you at Crucible, pet, trust me.”

“I do trust you. Completely. So...” She fought the urge to bury her face in his shirt and ruin her make-up. “What’s going to happen when we get there?” Thalia voiced her only question for him, and he leaned back to look down at her, concern etching his forehead again.

“Nothing you don’t want, baby.” James brushed her hair over her ear before he cupped her cheek. “In fact, let’s agree right now that if you want to leave, you don’t even have to say your safe word. All you need to do is tap me three times. Anything makes you uncomfortable, or if you are simply done for the night? Tap three times. Alright?”

“Thalia!” Lauren was waving at her, and Thalia waved and smiled at her before looking back at James’ concerned face.

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