The crowd around them began to surge with excitement, and Sophia realised the DJ was starting the countdown to midnight. Jake’s arms tightened around her waist as the chant began.
“Ten! Nine! Eight!”
Sophia’s heart raced, her eyes locked on Jake’s. His usual easy-going grin had been replaced by something more intense, more hungry.
“Seven! Six! Five!”
“Jake,” she whispered, barely audible over the noise. “What are we doing?”
“Four! Three!”
He leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear. “Living in the moment, Soph.”
“Two! One!”
The world exploded into a chaos of cheers and flying streamers. But Sophia only felt Jake’s hands cupping her face, his mouth crashing into hers with a passion that made her knees weak. She melted into him, tasting the whiskey on his tongue, her fingers tangling in his sun-bleached hair.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Sophia let out a shaky laugh. “Fuck,” she muttered, her lipstick smeared. “That was…”
“Yeah,” Jake agreed, his eyes dark with desire.
Around them, the party raged on, but they remained in their own little bubble, hearts pounding in sync with the relentless beat of the music.
Sophia leaned in close, her lips grazing Jake’s ear. The warmth of her breath sent a shiver down his spine as she whispered, “Happy New Year, Surfer Boy.”
Jake’s response was immediate and primal. He captured her lips again, his kiss even more demanding than before. His strong hands gripped her hips, pulling her flush against him. Sophia’s fingers dug into his shoulders, anchoring herself as the world spun around them.
“Christ,” Jake groaned when they came up for air. His forehead rested against hers, their panting breaths mingling. “You’re driving me crazy, Soph.”
Sophia’s laugh was low and husky. “That’s the idea, isn’t it?”
Jake’s eyes glinted mischievously as he leaned in, his lips brushing against Sophia’s ear. “Come to mine tonight. I’ve got that wine you like again.”
Sophia’s arms snaked around his neck, her body swaying to the pulsing beat. The heat between them was electric, crackling with unspoken promises. She pressed herself closer, her curves fitting perfectly against his solid frame.
“Mmm,” she hummed, her voice a sultry purr. “Good wine and orgasms? Sounds like a perfect way to ring in the New Year.”
Jake’s deep chuckle rumbled through his chest. He dipped his head, his lips finding the sensitive spot just below her ear. His teeth grazed her skin, eliciting a soft gasp from Sophia.
“Couldn’t agree more,” he murmured against her neck, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine.
Sophia’s fingers tangled in his hair, her head tilting back to give him better access. “Fuck, Jake,” she breathed, her thoughts growing hazy with desire. “Keep that up and we might not make it to your place.”
Jake’s hands slid lower, gripping her ass and pulling her impossibly closer. “Don’t tempt me,” he growled, his voice rough with want. “I’ve been dreaming about getting you alone all night.”
The music pulsed around them, but Sophia could barely hear it over the pounding of her own heart. She caught Jake’s earlobe between her teeth, tugging gently. Sophia’s fingers tightened in Jake’s hair, tugging just hard enough to make him groan. “As much as I want to drag you out of here right now,” she panted, “we should probably say goodbye to the others first.”
Jake’s lips continued their assault on her neck, his tongue tracing intricate patterns on her flushed skin. “Do we have to?” he mumbled, his hands roaming her sides.
“Fuck,” Sophia gasped, her resolve wavering. She could feel the heat pooling low in her belly, her body screaming for more. But the responsible part of her brain fought through the haze of desire. “Come on, Surfer Boy. Behave for five minutes, then I’m all yours.”
Jake pulled back with a dramatic pout, his blue eyes dancing with mischief. “Fine,” he sighed, “but only because you asked so nicely.”
Sophia rolled her eyes, fighting back a grin. “Your self-control is truly admirable,” she deadpanned, earning a playful smack on her ass.
She turned in Jake’s arms, scanning the crowded club for their friends. The mass of writhing bodies and flashing lights made it hard to focus, but she finally spotted Lucas and Emily by the bar.
“There they are,” she said, nodding in their direction. As they made their way through the crowd, Jake’s hands found her waist, his thumbs tracing small circles on her hips. Sophia leaned back into him, savouring the warmth of his touch.
“Christ,” she thought, her skin tingling with anticipation. “This is going to be the longest five minutes of my life.”
As they approached, Jake’s keen eyes zeroed in on Emily’s drink. With a raised eyebrow and a hint of his signature surfer drawl, he said, “Mocktail, Em? That’s not like you.”
Emily let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Yup,” she replied, her tone a mix of resignation and poorly concealed excitement.
Emily’s hand instinctively moved to her still-flat stomach, while Lucas’s larger one appeared there a moment later, his fingers splaying protectively.
Jake’s face split into a wide grin, his blue eyes twinkling with genuine joy. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he chuckled. “Congratulations, you two!”
Emily’s cheeks flushed, a mixture of embarrassment and happiness colouring her features. “Thanks, Jake,” she said softly, her green eyes meeting Sophia.
“Jake and I are heading off,” she said, her voice slightly husky. “Have you seen the others?”
Emily’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she pointed towards the dance floor. “Oh, they’re out there alright,” she giggled, the sound barely audible over the thumping bass.
Sophia turned, following Emily’s gaze. In the sea of bodies, she spotted Freya grinding against Dan, her short auburn hair catching the strobe lights. Not far from them, Evelyn was wrapped around Mac, her curls bouncing as she moved to the beat.
“Jesus Christ,” Sophia muttered, rolling her eyes. “Those two, I swear. It’s like they’ve never seen a man before.”
Emily burst out laughing, the sound infectious. “Well,” she managed between giggles, “Freya does work A&E. She really only sees unconscious drunks at 3 am most days.”
Sophia snorted, picturing Freya surrounded by passed-out patients. “Fair point,” she conceded, grinning.
She turned back to Emily, giving her another quick hug. “We’ll catch you later, okay?”
Emily’s eyes twinkled as she winked suggestively. “Have fun,” she said, her voice laden with innuendo. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Sophia barked out a laugh, shaking her head. “Christ, Em,” she retorted, “that doesn’t leave much off the table, does it?”
Lucas chuckled, his blue eyes crinkling at the corners as he winked at Sophia and Jake. “Have fun, kids,” he said, his voice deep and amused.
Sophia shook her head, fighting back a grin. Fucking Lucas, always with the ‘kids’ bit. She grabbed Jake’s hand, his palm warm and calloused against hers, and tugged him towards the dance floor.
“C’mon, Surfer Boy,” she said over her shoulder. “Let’s say bye to the others before we bolt.”
Jake’s fingers tightened around hers as they wove through the throng of sweaty bodies. The bass pounded through Sophia’s chest, matching her quickening heartbeat. Fuck, she couldn’t wait to get Jake alone.
They reached Freya and Evelyn, still wrapped around their dance partners. Sophia poked them both, hard.
“Oi!” she shouted over the music. “We’re heading out!”
Freya and Evelyn’s heads whipped around, their eyes lighting up. Before Sophia could blink, they’d detached themselves from Dan and Mac, throwing their arms around her.
“Soph!” Freya squealed, her breath hot against Sophia’s ear. “Don’t go yet!”
Evelyn’s curls tickled Sophia’s nose as she added, “Yeah, stay and dance!”
The combined force of their enthusiastic hugs sent Sophia stumbling backward. Shit, she thought, bracing for impact with the sticky dance floor. But then Jake’s strong arms were there, catching all three of them before they hit the ground.
“Easy there, ladies,” he laughed, his voice a low rumble that Sophia felt more than heard.
Sophia extricated herself from the tangle of limbs, her cheeks flushed from the near-fall and the heat of the club. She looked up at Jake, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement in the pulsing lights.
“One more dance?” she asked, biting her lower lip.
Jake nodded, then leaned in close, his stubble grazing her cheek as he whispered, “Any longer than that and I can’t guarantee I won’t carry you out of here caveman style.”
A shiver ran down Sophia’s spine, and she couldn’t hold back a giggle. Fuck, the things this man did to her.
“Promises, promises,” she murmured back, her voice husky.
Freya and Evelyn, seemingly satisfied, had already returned to their dance partners. Sophia watched them for a moment, shaking her head. Those two were worse than teenagers sometimes.
Jake’s hands found her hips, pulling her close as the music shifted to a slower, more sensual beat. Sophia pressed her body against his, relishing the feel of his toned muscles beneath his shirt. She rolled her hips, a wicked smile playing on her lips as she felt Jake’s breath catch.
“Careful there, Bennett,” he growled in her ear. “You’re playing with fire.”
Sophia tilted her head back, meeting his gaze. “Maybe I want to get burned,” she challenged, her heart racing with a heady mix of desire and anticipation.
Sophia’s hands slid up Jake’s chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her fingertips. She let them rest on his broad shoulders, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. The pulsing rhythm of the music seemed to fade into the background as the tension between them intensified.
Jake’s hands roamed from her hips to her waist, his touch leaving trails of heat even through the fabric of her dress. He pulled her closer, their bodies moving in perfect sync.
“Christ, Soph,” Jake muttered, his voice rough. “You’re killing me here.”
She grinned, a mixture of triumph and desire flooding her veins. “Good,” she purred, running her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. “That’s the idea, Surfer Boy.”
Jake’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, Sophia thought he might actually follow through on his caveman threat. The idea sent a thrill through her.
“Fuck it,” Jake growled. “We’re leaving. Now.”
Sophia laughed, breathless and exhilarated. “What happened to one more dance?”
“Dance is over,” he said, already guiding her off the dance floor. “Unless you want me to take you right here in front of everyone.”
The raw want in his voice made Sophia’s knees weak. “Well, when you put it that way…” she teased, allowing him to lead her towards the exit.