He took my hand in his strong grip and led me into the square to join the other dancing couples. This dance was an upbeat one, and we switched off clasping hands and spinning and twirling until my heart beat fast and I was almost—almost—having a good time with Derel. It didn’t hurt that he was an excellent dancer either.
When the music slowed he clasped my hand and pulled me close against his toned body. "Is your mother pressing you to get married like mine is?"
"Always." Though arranged marriages had fallen out of fashion generations ago—much to my mother’s dismay—from the time Derel and I were born we’d been promised to each other, whether we liked it or not. And trust me, we did not. The worst part was that if we hadn’t been forced together at every opportunity and told how perfect we were for each other, maybe we would have gotten along and fallen in love in our own time. Now we would never know.
"Maybe we should just do it already to get them off our backs,” he said, as his hand slowly smoothed down my back.
I let out a sharp laugh to hide how shocked I was at his words, and how much I didn't hate the idea when it came from him. Too bad I knew he wasn’t serious. How could he be? We hated each other—always had, always would. "Is that your version of a romantic proposal?"
"I’m going for practical, not romantic. But if romance is what you want..." His smoldering eyes met mine in a way that made my breath catch, especially as he pulled me tighter against him. My gaze dropped to his sensual mouth and I thought, not for the first time, what it would be like to kiss him. As his fingers curled around my chin and he looked at me in the same way, I knew he was thinking about it too.
I shook my head to break the spell he’d cast over me. "Definitely not. I’m never going to marry you."
Was that disappointment flashing across his face before it returned to his normal, disinterested look? Surely not. "Probably for the best. We’d break poor Falon’s heart."
"Falon?" I laughed. "Only because you’d spend less time with him if you were married."
He gave me a look dripping with disdain. "If that’s what you think then you’re more clueless than I thought.”
My smile fell. "What is that supposed to mean?"
“Nothing.” Derel shook his head.
Was he suggesting Falon had feelings for me? That was certainly news to me. Falon was our best friend, the one thing in common we had besides our parents, but he’d never been anything more—much to my dismay.
“This dress you have on is quite alluring,” Derel said. “Are you sure you’re not looking for a proposal tonight?”
“Maybe I am, but not from you.” None of the men I wanted would propose to me tonight, so it didn’t really matter. But I definitely hadn’t worn this for Derel, of all people. “What did you mean about Falon?”
He idly touched the lace at my neck. “The quality is quite fine. Let me guess, Krea made it?”
“No, I did.” I shoved against his chest, stepping away from him. I knew he was purposefully baiting me to change the subject, but he always knew exactly how to get under my skin and I couldn’t help but respond. “Why are you always so impossible?”
His lips quirked up in a wry smile. “You just bring out that side of me, I suppose.”
LIGHT THE FIRE is available now!
Also by Elizabeth Briggs
Standalones:
Hollywood Roommates
Her Elemental Dragons
Stroke The Flame (#1)
Kiss The Sky (#2)
Shake The Earth (#3)
Ride The Wave (#4)
Light The Fire (#0.5)
The Chasing The Dream Series:
More Than Exes (#0.5)
More Than Music (#1)
More Than Comics (#2)
More Than Fashion (#3)
More Than Once (#4)
More Than Distance (#5)
The Future Shock Trilogy
Future Shock
Future Threat
Future Lost
About the Author
New York Times Bestselling Author Elizabeth Briggs writes unputdownable romance across genres with bold heroines and fearless heroes. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Sociology and has worked for an international law firm, mentored teens in writing, and volunteered with dog rescue groups. Now she's a full-time geek who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and a pack of fluffy dogs.
Visit Elizabeth’s website: www.elizabethbriggs.net
For all the parents trying to make the world a better place
Copyright © 2019 by Elizabeth Briggs
RIDE THE WAVE, Her Elemental Dragons Book Four
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover Designed by Andreea Vraciu
ISBN (paperback) 9781795735834
ISBN (ebook) 978-1-948456-04-3
www.elizabethbriggs.net
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