I’m not the kind of girl who can get involved with someone I know will break my heart if given the chance.
So, I raise my chin and stare at him down my nose. “Enjoy your beer. I’m going back to my friends.” But before I can spin and stalk away a woman stands beside us, stopping my grand exit.
“Vaughn?” the leggy brunette says with a seductive smile that makes me want to vomit.
Who the heck is she?
I think I’m going to be sick. Vaughn’s eyes never leave mine as the brunette doesn’t back down. Vaughn chugs his beer in one big swallow, and slams the bottle on the bar, and then faces the woman. “Miriam, about time you got here.”
And then he walks away from me, leaving me all alone at the bar, and I want to punch something. Mainly his handsome face.
I march over to Colby, wrap an arm around his neck and lean in close to his ear. I know this is bad, and I shouldn't be using him this way, but I can’t help myself. It’s a moment of weakness, shrouded by jealousy.
Colby leans out of the hug, and smiles. “What are you doing?”
I drop my arms. “Uh, nothing.”
My eyes find Vaughn's from across the dance floor. They’re on fire as they stare at me. He doesn’t look happy, and I know it has everything to do with being a protective authority figure over me. Like an older brother, and that thought slays me.
But, it still is enough to send shivers racing up my spine.
I step away from Colby and Gwen, muttering something about having to use the restroom. Truth is, I just need to get away so I can breathe. So I can get away from Vaughn’s hot stare.
I don’t know what it is about him, but he’s always been able to turn me on with just a look.
“Just a friend, huh?” Vaughn’s voice greets me in the back hallway near the restrooms.
I spin around to poke him in the chest. His rock hard chest. I think it hurts my finger more than him. “Not that it matters to you, but yes. We are friends.”
“That hug didn’t look very friendly to me.”
“Don’t you have some skank to get back to?” The hallway is empty except for the two of us. My heart’s beating so frantically it’s most likely matching the rhythm of the bass in the club.
Vaughn steps closer. “I don’t like his hands all over you.”
“Ha. You’re one to talk.” I look down to where his hand grips my bicep.
He steps me back to where I’m up against the wall. “I didn’t like seeing his hands all over you.”
“He was barely touching me.” I mean it was only a hug, if that.
“He touched you all wrong.” He fists his hands at his sides.
Something snaps inside of me, my bravery coming from somewhere I don’t even know. “Well, what’s the right way to touch me then?”
“It should be needy. Desperate.” He leans in closer, his hot breath fanning across my skin. “That’s how I’d touch you. Like my fucking life depends on it.
My brain has completely fogged over, my heart beating uncontrollably in my throat. “Vaughn...I…” Before I can say anything else, Vaughn crashes his lips to mine.
Everything I’ve ever wished for is happening right now and it’s so much better than anything I could have ever imagined. My insides turn tumultuous like they’re caught in a raging storm, unable to find the shore. I cling onto him, not even knowing if I’ll be able to stay upright. Because every cell in my body is begging for relief.
Relief from the heat he’s creating with his touch.
His hands move into my hair, gripping each strand, pulling me closer.
A moan escapes me as he pries my mouth open with his tongue. I let him in, his tongue tracing along mine.
I can’t believe this is happening.
I squeeze my thighs together, needing desperately to calm the throbbing between my legs. I gently press my core to him, seeking relief.
He groans and pushes back, his hard length rigid in his jeans. I want to rub against it, it wouldn’t even take long to get myself off with how turned on I am.
I come alive wanting to seek that feeling with him.
Before I can go any further, he breaks the kiss abruptly, his hands still in my hair, and he leans his forehead against mine. “Fuck, I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why did you?” I hear myself ask. I don’t even know how I’m still standing, the bones in my legs feel as though they’ve turned to overcooked noodles.
His eyes meet mine, and he searches them for an answer to my question. “I’m sorry, Pea.”
He drops his hands, and my body misses his warmth.
He walks away, and I’m left breathing and trying to comprehend everything that just happened between us.