“Right when you go out. Find Jay, the guys are in the main room at the front, so is he, I’ve checked. I want you to walk up to Jay and then head to one of the guys,” she instructed. “Then I need you to make out with whoever you pick like your life depended on it. Not Connor…obviously.”
My eyes flicked to her in surprise. She was nodding. “Yeah, he wants tobreak you, he wants to boast to his friends. Well, you show him and his friends that youplayedhim.”
“I’m not sexy Cor,” I whispered.
She snorted. “You’re walking sex. Especially looking like that. Now who do you want to go to? Matt?” She shook her head. “No probably weird? Theo eh?” She was typing on her phone again.
I looked at myself and studied myself for a moment. “Colton,” I answered softly.
Corey looked at me in surprise. “Colton? I dunno Ari, he’s a bit cold don’t you think?”
“No. He’s fire,” my gaze didn’t waver and I saw understanding settle on Corey.
“Ah. I see. It was Colton?” I knew what she was asking.
I nodded. “It will always be Colton,” I admitted. Her smile was gentle.
“Ok – let’s hope he doesn’t react badly. I didn’t think to brief him,” she murmured. “I’ll go out, you follow,” she stopped. Her eyes were soft. “You can do this Ari, you’re sex on legs. No guy is going to take this from you. If you chicken out, it’s ok, we’ll all leave. He can’t stop all of us,” she pulled me into a quick hug and then muttering about dicks and jerks she was out of the bathroom.
I turned back to the mirror. My eyes were shining. Could I do this? Was it necessary? My eyes hardened as I remembered the way he had spoken about me. Yes. I was going to hit him where it hurt, just like Corey had said. I would hurt him where it hurt most, his ego. And I would strike that blow with Colton. My mother’s words had haunted me ever since that night, but I was done listening to her ghostly voice. I wasn’t a tramp and I wasn’t worthless.
I strolled out and headed down the hallway. I got a few appreciative looks and whistles as I passed. He wasn’t in the kitchen. So much for not leaving me, I scoffed.
I entered the main room. All the windows were open, some of the pungent smoke had dispersed. I spotted Colton immediately, he was leaning casually against the wall, one leg cocked up resting on it, a bottle of beer dangling from his hand. He was surveying the room lazily. Seemingly not a care in the world. Theo and Matt were beside him chatting softly to each other. Connor was perched on the corner of a couch, Corey pulled up tight in his embrace, sitting on his knee.
They all looked perfectly relaxed. I spotted Jay. He was at the opposite side of the room. His eyes were on Colton. Jay was drinking and just staring at him. He had some guys round him, he spotted me. The triumphant grin that broke out on his face made my temper surge.
I smiled at him. I would rather throat punch him. I walked over, I added a swing to my hips which I had never in my life tried before, but it seemed to work. Jay ran his eyes over the length of me appreciatively. Obviously appreciating my time spent in the bathroom.
He took a step forward. Perfect. I smiled at him and as he reached out a hand to touch me, I brushed past him.
I walked up to Colton, my heart was pounding but due to the people in the room, I smiled at him. His eyes were dark and quickly ran over me, he straightened and put the bottle down. I couldn’t let my nerves get the better of me, I stepped right up into him, leaving no space. Reaching up, I wrapped my hands round his neck and pulled slightly. I didn’t need to pull hard, his lips were on me. I felt his arms come around me and tighten. His lips were as demanding as before and as always, I gave in to him, his tongue swept in and I melted.
It had been so long since he’d kissed me, but it felt like yesterday. I ran my hands through his hair, his hand was under my shirt on my bare back. I arched into him. I felt his answering groan, his hands traced down my ass and he hoisted me up and I wrapped my legs round him. His hands were under my shirt again and running up my back.
I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe. He was everywhere.
Slowly, he pulled away, his eyes were dark and heavy with desire. I remembered where I was and flushed. He quickly kissed me again as I slid down his hard body. He turned me in his arms. I looked out over the room. Jay was white with fury. Gerry and someone else were on either side of him holding him back.
Colton moved my hair to the side and leaned down and kissed my neck. My eyes closed and I backed into him. All of him. His arm was wrapped round my waist and he pulled me in to him. My ass ground into him all by itself. He nipped at my neck.
“I think it’s time we left,” he said softly to me, as he stared across to Jay. Jay was still glaring at him. His eyes flicked to me. I couldn’t help it. Safe in Colton’s arms, I winked.
Matt saw and started chuckling. Corey stood, looking every bit the goddess she was. Connor rose with her.
“You fucking played me?” Jay demanded of me. He tried to step forward, but his friends’ grips were tight. “All this time?Youwere playing me?” His eyes were hard, he was furious.
I leaned forward, Colton wasn’t loosening that grip anytime soon. “All fucking day,” I bit out. “You’re nothing but a scumbag dick,” Colton’s arms tightened.
The room was silent. I hadn’t even noticed the music was off.
Jay scoffed. “What the fuck are you talking about? I nailed you.” The sneer on his face was ugly.
“Oh Jay,” I shook my head in mock pity, “you went to your friend to slip drugs into my drink because you couldn’t get me into bed.”
Jay flushed as he glared angrily at his friend. Everyone knew that bruised face had been pummelled by Colton for that reason.
“You never had me, and as you can see,” I turned my face up to Colton who placed a quick kiss on my lips, I looked back at Jay, “you never will.”