Chapter 22
Tanner
We made it back to the party without being outed. I told Dani I had a headache, so I went to my room for a minute. I hate lying to her. It makes me feel dirty. I’m not quite sure what I feel with Maverick. All that dark hair and his dangerous eyes make me do things I never even imagined doing. I can’t say no. I don’t want to say no. I’m experiencing, and I’m learning, and it’s liberating.
The party has been going strong for about three hours. I learned to play poker and I was impressed by Preach’s poker face. He’s the real deal. I went into the house in search of Travis. Preach said he wanted in on the next hand. I rounded the corner of the kitchen and was heading to the main room when I spotted Maverick. He was seated on the couch while a partially naked Chasity rubbed her nasty crotch all over his lap. Her boobs were practically smashed against his face and my chest started to sting. God, why does this hurt? I have no reason to be hurt. He is not my boyfriend. I stare at her rolling her hips like I literally just did three hours ago on his lap down by the creek. I pull my eyes away and walk back to the kitchen. This is exactly why I don’t need to catch feelings. What scares me is I think it’s already too late.
I grab a Long Island iced tea from the fridge and step out onto the patio. Dani is dancing with Ember and her mom, so I decided to join in on the fun. Three songs later our dance crew has grown, and Skittles slides up behind me. The Georgia Satellites “Keep Your Hands To Yourself” plays through the yard and I laugh as he pulls me into him, and we swing our hips. In my peripheral vision I spotted Maverick walk out onto the patio, but he turned and went back inside.
I twirl around and fling my hands over my head as we sing the lyrics together. He grabs my hand and spins me a few times before pulling me against him again.
“Tanner!” Travis’ voice yells through the music and pulls my attention.
I glance over and he narrows his eyes at us. I roll mine and start towards him when Maverick steps up next to him with a cocky smirk on his face. Did he really go tattle on me?
“I think you are a little too friendly with Skittles,” Travis says with his arms crossed.
I raise a brow. “First of all, Skittles is like a brother. We don’t see each other that way, so you need to chill.”
“Just stop shaking your ass on him, okay?” He sighs.
He walks off and I shoot daggers at Maverick who winks and turns back towards the patio.
He wants to play dirty?
Romeo is walking by, so I catch his tattooed arm in my grip. “Hey Romeo, want to dance?”
I toss a defiant look to Maverick’s back as he halts his steps.
“Hell yeah, babe.” Romeo twists his hat around and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
“Romeo.” Maverick’s tone stops him. “You have about three seconds to remove your fucking hands.”
Romeo glances down at me and I roll my eyes. He steps away from me. “Sorry, Prez. I’m out.”
Maverick crooks a finger at me. “Come here.”
“You want to bark orders; you can go find Chasity. I’m sure she will be more than willing to abide.” I spit before stomping around the side of the house.
Is he really going to be such a hypocrite?
“Tanner.” He growls. I can feel his presence at my back. “Stop.”
I keep walking and fling my hand up, flipping him off. Probably not a smart move.
I hear a literal growl and an arm curls around my stomach. Maverick’s hard chest hits my back, and he bends down close to my ear. “I told you to fucking stop.”
I stretch my neck away from him. “And I didn’t fucking want to.”
He spins me around so fast I lose my balance. My knees bend, but he lifts me, carrying me backwards until I’m flat against the side of the house.
“Are you trying to piss me off, Vix?” He lifts my wrists, pinning them above my head.
I laugh. “I’m not yours, Maverick.”
He presses his hard cock into my stomach.
“You may want to rethink that statement.”