by Nikki Castle
I resist the urge to rip his hand off of me. Instead, I force a smile onto my face and return the sentiment. "Great. Life's great. Funny running into you here."
At that he turns back to Remy. "Yeah, small world. Although I'm glad I ended up here tonight." Without taking his eyes off Remy, he leans in closer to me to whisper conspiratorially, "Because between you and me, I had the biggest crush on Remy in college."
A blush flames across her cheeks while rage threatens to silently tear me apart. I have never once felt jealous over a girl. I always thought if a girl wanted to be with someone else, then why would I waste any of my energy being jealous over someone that didn't want me?
But now, with Remy… it feels like I'll maul anyone that dares to touch her.
I swallow roughly in an effort to jam down my archaic feelings. Instead, I force myself to chuckle.
I might as well be invisible to him, though. With his eyes trained on Remy, he steps up to her and grips her elbow, tugging gently to lead her away. "Let's get you a drink. I want to hear about what you've been up to. Someone told me you work for a tech company now. I’m glad you ended on a realistic career instead of trying for that writing thing you talked about for a while…"
I see the flash of pain in her eyes even as she lets Jason tug her along. Rage toward this douchebag once again boils through my veins, this time for invalidating Remy's true passion. I'm just about to go after them and let all my caveman rage fly when a short blonde girl steps into my path. I freeze in surprise.
She's shorter than even Remy, with a huge smile on her face as she stares up at me. I realize then that she's the Temple friend Remy was talking with not long ago.
"Hi," she chirps happily. "I'm Anna. Are you friends with Remy?"
"Yeah," I answer hesitantly. "I'm Tristan. I know Remy from the gym." I can't help glancing to the other end of the yard where Jason is standing by a cooler with Remy, drinks in hand and talking animatedly. She's just nodding at whatever he's saying.
"Oh, that's cool," Anna continues, and I begrudgingly bring my attention back to her. "She mentioned she joined a gym a couple years ago. You definitely look like you work out." She shamelessly steps closer to run her fingers along my bicep.
For some reason my eyes snap over to Remy.
She's frozen, staring at Anna's hand on my arm. Her mouth ticks down into a small frown.
A satisfied warmth blooms in my chest. It doesn't seem like she's reacting with the same blind fury I felt when Jason touched her, but she definitely doesn't look happy. Maybe she really is starting to like me.
A smile tugs at my lips at that thought.
The motion seems to snap Remy's eyes to mine. For a tense moment we just stare at each other, everyone else at the party fading away until it's just her and I and the tension growing between us.
But then she breaks our eye contact. Her eyes jerk, once, to Anna, and then back to Jason. I can tell she's trying really hard not to look back at me.
The idea that Remy might be a little jealous simmers the burning rage that almost overtook me a minute ago. I turn back to Anna, the need to rush over to Remy dimming slightly. Slightly.
"Yeah, I do a couple pushups now and then," I tell her sarcastically.
She laughs, way too loudly. As if I just told the funniest joke she's ever heard. She grips my arm and steps even closer, her head thrown back with the laugh.
I wince, feeling a twinge of regret that I encouraged her flirtation on pure instinct. I take another peek at Remy.
She clearly heard Anna's laugh—everyone at the party heard her laugh—but she's still purposefully looking only at Jason. Even from where I stand, I can see the tense way she's standing and the hard frown on her face.
I sigh and take a step away from Anna. I need to cut this off before it gets worse.
But as I look at her, it suddenly occurs to me that Anna's exactly the kind of girl I would normally go for. She's pretty, feminine, small enough that I could throw her around in the bedroom—everything I usually look for.
But she does nothing for me.
I feel no attraction, no urge to turn on my charm. I don't feel anything that would make me want to spend another second around her. All I can think of is that she's not Remy.
Another wave of warmth surges through my chest as my morning thoughts return. I want Remy.
I chance another look at the target of my inner war, any warmth inside me freezing when I realize she's still talking to Jason. And now he's got his hand on her hip.
"Look, Anna, I'm sorry to cut you off but I have to go," I grit through clenched teeth. Without waiting for her reaction, I turn to make my way over to Remy.
Politeness be damned—I'm about to remove this guy's hands from his body.
But before I take more than a step, I see Remy disappearing into the house.
I don't see her in the kitchen or living room, so I make my way to the second floor. There are two girls waiting for the bathroom and a few hipsters smoking weed in one of the bedrooms, but no sign of Remy. I climb another set of steps to the third floor.
This floor only has two bedrooms and it looks completely empty of people. I frown, wondering how I could have lost Remy in this house.
But then I hear a toilet flush coming from the master bedroom. I hesitantly push the door open.
Remy is leaning against the bedroom wall, staring at her phone as she waits for the bathroom door to open. I step up behind her.
"Having fun?" I mumble in her ear. She yelps and turns around.
"Tristan," she hisses, clutching her heart. "What is your obsession with sneaking up on me? You're going to scare me to death one of these days."
I chuckle. "Distracted, are we? What's that pretty little head of yours thinking about?" I cock an eyebrow thoughtfully as I wait for her to answer.
She looks away quickly, seeming suddenly uncomfortable. "Nothing," she mumbles.
I laugh again. "You're a terrible liar, Remy baby," I tease her. "It's not a hard guess." The hunger in my eyes deepens as I look down at her and suddenly forget why I'm angry. All I can think about is how beautiful she looked riding me yesterday, shining with sweat and not caring how wild she looked as she chased her orgasm. I swallow roughly and tamp down on the urge to adjust my growing cock.
She blushes at my words and looks away again. "I'm not thinking about anything," she says again, more firmly this time. "I'm just enjoying the party."
Now I remember why I'm angry with her. "Are you having fun with Jason?" I ask her, trying to keep my voice light and my fury not at all obvious.
She turns to face me fully. "Jason's great," she says, her face expressionless. "How's Anna?"
"Trying very hard to flirt," I respond curtly. She stiffens at my answer, her eyes narrowing. But I push past any talk of Anna and steer us back toward Jason. I need to know if there's anything between them.
"Were you close to Jason in college?" I ask tightly, trying to mask the jealousy in my words.
Remy's posture is still tense as a frown mars her pretty face. "Not really, but he was part of the study group," she starts cautiously. "He was the smartest one, so he helped us a lot. He was always around."
She seems to notice the way my jaw clenches at her comment because she relaxes her stance, a small smirk appearing on her lips. "He's a hard worker, too. He just graduated early from Temple Law. He was always very… stimulating to talk to."
It takes all I have not to slam her against the wall and fuck him out of her mind right then and there.
Instead, I swallow the growl in my throat and try to adopt a bored look. "I'm sure he is," I shrug. "I'm sure he's very pleasing."
A small frown appears on her face when I don’t bite at her taunt. She opens her mouth to snap back at me but then the bathroom door opens, and she never gets the chance.
We both turn to nod politely at the girl coming out of the bathroom, who smiles at us and walks out of the room. I wait until she's out of sight before spinning around and gripp
ing Remy by the throat. I push her into the bathroom and lock the door behind us.
She's breathing heavily as I push my body against hers, flattening her against the door. I study her for a moment, my thumb gently rubbing circles on the side of her neck.
"Do you really think he'll please you as much as I do?" I murmur against her lips. I don't know if I'll ever get enough of her little gasps when I affect her like this.
"Yes," she moans.
"Liar," I chuckle. I brush my lips against hers, not quite kissing, but I'm desperate for more contact. "No one can make you feel like I do. You know it's true. Just say it." She shakes her head, refusing to admit to such a thing.
"No one can make you as wet as I can with just my fingers," I growl. The hand that's not on her neck begins tracing up and down her side, occasionally dipping under the edge of her tank top. She shivers, but I don't know if it's from my words or my touch.
"No one can drive you as crazy as I can when my tongue is in your pussy," I continue. "No one can make you come as hard as when I bend you over and take you from behind. No one." A whimper escapes her lips.
Suddenly the jealousy inside of me explodes. I crash my mouth down to hers, easily splitting her lips with my tongue and darting inside to caress hers. I feel like a madman, like I need to be inside her in any way I can. I kiss her hungrily, desperately.
When I pull away, we're both breathless. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my touch linger on her cheek. But the gentle moment is only that, a moment, because then I grip her hair roughly and yank her head back. She whimpers but turns her face up toward me, and I can hear her breathy little sighs as she tries to cover up how turned on she is.
"You're mine," I growl against her lips. "Your pleasure belongs to me."
My sudden possessive outburst surprises her just as much as it does me. I decide to ignore the insane, animalistic jealousy that’s flowing through my veins right now and instead focus on the object of those feelings in front of me. Without waiting for her to respond, I quickly unbutton her jeans and yank them down her legs. I lean down to pull them the rest of the way off. When I stand back up, I grab her behind the thighs and lift her up against the wall. Her legs wrap automatically around my waist.
Fuck, it's like our bodies were molded for each other. They fit together so perfectly, so easily. Nothing ever feels awkward or uncomfortable. It’s like our bodies know each other, even after such a short amount of time.
I unbutton my own jeans and free my cock quickly, knowing this fuck will be hard and fast. I feel too crazy from the jealousy, too desperate for her body around me, for it to be any different. I pull her panties aside and line up with her entrance. Even without any foreplay I can feel how wet she is.
"Mine," I repeat with a snarl, and thrust in with one stroke.
She whimpers at the overwhelming sensation. Her eyes are closed but she's holding tight around my neck as I fuck her, hard. I pound into her, letting my possessive emotions fuel my thrusts. My body's animalistic urges make me feel like if I can fuck her hard enough, maybe she won't ever think of anyone else.
"Say it," I growl against her lips. "Say you're mine." I lift her thighs a little higher around me and push even deeper.
She gasps at the feeling but shakes her head. She's too stubborn to admit anything. It's too early for us.
That knowledge temporarily tamps down on my jealous rage, and my forehead drops against hers. “Remy,” I groan, even as my thrusts never slow. “Look at me.”
Her eyes open and widen in surprise at the change in my tone. Her breaths start to come quicker, and her gaze darts over my face, searching for answers that I’m not sure either of us are ready for. I hold her eyes with mine, not letting her look away even when I feel her thighs start to tremble as her orgasm builds.
I lean forward and kiss her hungrily. I swallow her moans as our tongues tangle and my thrusts become harder. I pull away just enough to look at her when I sense we’re both getting close, and immediately I’m drowning in her wide-eyed stare. Before, she didn’t want to look at me, and now I know why—in our closeness, in this moment between us, she’s completely open and flayed bare before me. I can see every bit of fear and lust and affection in her eyes. And I suddenly realize that I hope she can see the same in mine.
I hear her gasp just before her muscles clench around me, her eyes never leaving mine. Between our connection and the physical feel of her orgasm, my own release is immediately triggered.
"Fuck," I groan as I spill inside her. I can still feel her spasming around my cock. I keep pounding into her until I feel her sag against me, her body limp and exhausted.
We stay there for a moment, tangled in each other and leaning heavily against the door. Our foreheads are touching and we're breathing heavily.
I hesitate for a moment before kissing her, knowing I was aggressive but not knowing how she’s feeling right now. I set her down gently, keeping my grip on her until I feel her steady herself. I can see the blush on her face as she reaches for her jeans. She doesn't meet my eyes.
Just then there's a loud knock at the door. "Is someone in there?" a very stoned voice calls out.
I roll my eyes but watch as Remy pales. She pulls her jeans on hurriedly. "Just a second!" she calls out.
"Remy…" I start. I want to ask her to stay with me tonight. To get out of here so we can spend the night together.
But she's hell-bent on rushing out of this bathroom so she ignores me entirely, throwing the door open and pushing past the hipster from downstairs. I hurry after her.
"Whoa! Nice, dude!" The guy is stoned out of his mind and can barely see straight but he has a massive grin on his face from seeing the two of us leave the bathroom together. He holds his hand up in expectation of a high five.
I roll my eyes again. "Grow up," I grumble as I shoulder past him.
I don't catch up to Remy until we're back on the first floor but by then, Anna has already spotted her.
"Remy!" she calls out. She prances up to us and grabs Remy's hand. "We're heading over to the Barbary. You have to come! My friend Shane says it's the most entertaining drag show in the city."
"Oh. Umm…" Remy casts a nervous glance at me. I silently will her to understand that I want her to say fuck no, I'm going home with Tristan.
"Tristan, you should come too!" Anna exclaims happily.
"I’m… not really into shows," I say hesitantly. "Plus, I have an early morning at the gym tomorrow, so I'll probably just head home soon." Once again, I look at Remy to try to convey my silent message.
I think she's about to decline the offer when another girl from their Temple group bounces up to us. "Remy! Oh my god, I haven't seen you in so long! Please tell me you're coming with us to the Barbary. I'm only in town for this weekend so you have to come hang out with us."
I see Remy's almost imperceptible wince. But then she says, "I had no idea you were in town. Of course I'll come, that sounds like a lot of fun."
I try to keep the frown from my face, but I doubt I'm successful.
Anna practically beams with happiness. "All right, well I'm just going to grab my jacket and then we can head over there.” She turns to me with a thousand-watt smile. "You sure you don't want to come? I'm happy to keep you company."
I smother the wince that threatens to take over my face from the obvious come-on. "Sorry, I'm just going to call it a night,” I tell her. I swallow roughly and turn to Remy. "I guess I'll see you at home." She gives me a small nod.
I head toward the backyard to say goodbye to everyone from the gym. From behind me I hear Anna say, "Home? You guys live together? I didn't know you were dating."
"We're… not," is Remy's answer.
And I can't stop my heart from cracking a little bit at those words.
17
Remy
I can't stop thinking about Tristan's bathroom sex declaration.
It's four hours and way too many shots later, and I haven't once been able to focus on the
show, or my friends, or the music we're now dancing to. I just keep replaying Tristan's words.
You're mine.
What does that even mean? Why would he say that? That makes it sound like we're so much more than just sex, but I know for a fact that Tristan is not interested in a relationship. He said as much when he admitted he's too selfish as a fighter to have a girlfriend. But then what did he mean?
And why did his words make me so insanely, ridiculously happy?
Something changed with us last night. Mentioning his family during the question game this week was one thing, but talking to me after his mom called him yesterday, letting me see his pain… that changed something between us.
And I don't want to fight it anymore.
I realize I like spending time with Tristan. I like asking him random questions, and watching fights together, and lying in bed after sex. I like that he's so much more than everyone thinks he is, and that he only shows that side of him to a few people. I like the way his brain thinks. I like how protective he is of the people he loves. I like the way we fit together, both during sex and after.
I like him. And I want more.
I cringe at that thought, hoping Anna doesn’t notice and think I’m reacting to whatever it is she’s been babbling on about for the past twenty minutes. But she's so drunk that I doubt she'd notice even if I broke down and started crying. I chug the majority of my cocktail in an attempt to erase my thoughts from my brain.
I can't like Tristan. I can't want more. He's just not that guy—he doesn't do relationships. He's the playboy that sleeps with women and then turns them down when they inevitably want more.
And I've just become one of them.
I wince and finish the rest of my drink. Fuck. I'm officially a statistic.
I glance at my phone and realize with a start that it's almost 2:00 in the morning. Not only are they going to yell last call soon, but I also planned on taking class in the morning. I can already feel how tired and hungover that workout is going to be.
I quickly say goodbye to the girls, promising to call Anna again. Twenty minutes later my Uber is pulling up to the house.