by C. Sunrise
Laze is a gorgeous man with stereotypical Californian good-looks, blond hair and blue eyes and all, and a smug presence. Even if my hormones weren’t going crazy, I would still find him attractive. This is the first time since meeting Craze that I’ve spoken with Laze.
My eyes move past Laze to the strange woman standing behind him. She hasn’t moved since I walked over. It’s really not surprising though, Craze and Laze are both very attractive and seem to be good at drawing attention to themselves.
“What’s up with the mannequin back there?” I ask and giggle.
“She wants to grind with us,” Laze says. “Care to join us too?” His lips twist into a mischievous grin.
Great, another over-the-top flirt in my life, just what I need.
“You’ll have to excuse Laze, he’s a bit thirsty tonight,” Craze states and Laze glares at her. “Why don’t you go get yourself a drink, Laze?”
“Nope, nice try,” he says, putting his arms around our shoulders. “I’m staying right here with you two. All. Night. Long.”
The liquid coursing through my body encourages me to play along. “Do you promise?” I bite my lip. “All. Night. Long?”
My response throws him off guard and he coughs. It’s taking every ounce of self-control to keep a straight face and hold back the laugh brewing inside me.
“She’s way out of your league, Laze,” Craze says, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. I don’t know how she can think that; if anything, these two are out of my league.
“Meh, I’m just joking around,” I say as a smirk spreads across my face. “Or am I? I guess you’ll never know.”
“Why do I get the feeling I’m going to need another drink, or ten, if I’m stuck hanging around with you two tonight?” Laze looks back and forth between me and Craze.
“This is exactly why I know you and I will be best friends,” Craze says to me as she pokes Laze in the stomach. “I can’t stand women who fall for Laze. It’s nice to meet someone who keeps him on his toes.”
We spend the next two hours drinking, talking, and dancing. I should have done less of all those things, but I’m happy. I almost forgot how good it feels to be happy.
We were having our own little private party over here. It was like everyone else just vanished. I notice them both getting closer as we dance, but I don’t mind. It’s more than a sexual attraction with these two. I’m safe with them. Somehow, I know they would do nothing to harm me. Suddenly, a hand wraps around my arm and pulls me to the side.
I shift my gaze to the hand and then my eyes leisurely move along a large, muscular, tattooed arm. I immediately know who it is. I recognised his tantalising scent as soon as he entered the club, which is odd considering how many people are here.
I continue moving my gaze up his arm, tracing my finger along every peak and valley as I go. It’s like my finger has a mind of its own. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, I’m not usually this bold. The sleeve of his button-up shirt is torn, making him look even sexier. I continue up to his face. I bite my lip as I notice he has a small cut on his lip. He flinches slightly as I reach up and gently brush the blood from his lip with my thumb.
He pulls me closer to his body and I place my other hand on his abs. His very muscular abs. Then, as if controlling itself, my hand slowly glides across his body, over his chest and up to the back of his neck. He lets out a soft growl and pulls me tight against his body.
I’m very aware of how every muscle in his body tenses as he holds our bodies together. Including his love muscle.
Blaze would later inform me that he was close to ripping his best friends’ throats out for the way they were dancing with me. He had never felt this kind of possessiveness over anyone before. He wasn’t sure how I would react to his actions, but he was thoroughly surprised when I wiped the blood from his lip and moved my other hand across his body, wrapping it behind his neck. It took every ounce of his self-control to not rip my clothes off and take me right here in the middle of the club, in front of everyone. I’m grateful he won that battle. I think.
“I knew you’d come back for me, sugar,” he says as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. I lean into his hand as it lingers on my cheek.
Being caught up in the moment, I nearly lost my ability to speak. “Who... who says I’m here for you?”
“Your eyes are doing all the talking for you, sugar,” he replies. “And your body.”
Our lips are inches away from each other and I can’t stop admiring how soft his look.
I wonder if his lips feel as good as they look. Taste as good.
“Dance with me,” he growls into my ear.
He loosens his grip on me and I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. I don’t know what I was expecting, I’m not really the get-it-on on the dance floor type. But in that moment, I don’t know if I would have said no. I nod, and we move our bodies to the music.
“This song is totally about me,” I say as I sing the lyrics to Bad Guy by Billie Eilish. “I’m a total bad-ass.” I don’t know who I’m trying to convince here, me or Blaze?
“Sugar, you are the furthest thing from bad-ass that I have ever seen.” He chuckles.
“Excuse me?” I put my hands on my hips and raise my eyebrow. “Creepy McCreeperton and his gang of creeps would beg to differ. I am a B.A.B.E.—a bad-ass bitch, eh.” I let out snort as I laugh causing met to cover my mouth with my hand as I laugh harder.
Okay, that was horrible, and I blame it on the alcohol.
“Okay babe, you’re clearly Canadian too, eh?” he says with a mocking tone. “You know how to hand out throat punches; I’ll give you that one. But I actually I think the song is about me—I definitely like it rough.”
Hsgkldkfshfs. Dear Face, please stop blushing. Dear mouth, please start speaking—preferably real words. Speaking of mouth, why does his mouth look so alluring right now?
“You’re adorable when you blush,” he says, grabbing my hips and pulling me into his body. “I can’t wait to make you blush all night long.”
With those words, I’m sure my face will already blush for the rest of the night.
He briefly looks over my shoulder and smirks before looking back at me and crashing his lips onto mine. If this is what he means by liking it rough, then you can definitely count me in. My heart rate increases to what feels like a dangerous level and my breathing gets heavier. I almost spontaneously combust when he steals an extra base and moves his hands from my hips to firmly grasp my ass in both hands.
I put my hand on his chest and can feel his heart rate and breathing increasing too.
Good to know I’m not the only one struggling to keep my body under control.
Then, just as fast as it started, it was over.
“You taste so good, sugar,” he says huskily as he moves his head to the side and nibbles on my ear playfully. “I can’t wait for another bite. Unfortunately, I have someone I need to talk to, but I promise we’ll finish this later.”
The room spins as my brain waits for blood to return from my lower regions. Blaze stands there letting me hold on to his shoulders for a few seconds, as if he wholly understands of my current lack of composure. Without another word, he gently rubs his thumb across my lip as he bites his and then turns and struts towards the bar.
I turn and watch him as he walks, admiring the view from behind. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this view.
My gaze drifts beyond Blaze, and that is when I see them. When I see him and the exact moment his heart shatters into a million pieces.
I watch him as he takes two slow, deep breaths with a bloodlust look in his eyes.
“What got into Kace?” Bel asks Jay. I flinch, confused by my ability to hear their conversation from this far away and in a noisy club.
“No idea,” he replies. Then they both follow Kace’s eyes and see what has caused his reaction. Both of their faces drop, Bel’s displaying sadness and Jay’s displaying what looks like concern as he looks back and forth bet
ween me and Bel.
“Well, are you going to say hello to your favourite cousin?” Blaze says as he walks up to Kace.
Kace punches Blaze as soon as he is close enough. Not once. Not twice. But three times. Blaze staggers back and spits blood onto the ground.
“You piece of shit!” Kace clenches his fists at his side, his thirst for blood not yet quenched.
“Now, is that any way to greet your old partner?” Blaze asks with a grin on his face, clearly not concerned by Kace’s warm welcome. “Good to see you haven’t turned completely flaccid on us.”
Kace looks like he could kill Blaze. Right here, right now—in front of all these people.
Suddenly, Kace focuses my attention on me, staring at me for what felt like an eternity. Turning, he takes Jay’s drink from his hand and slam it back, letting the liquid wash down his throat before turning and walking to me.
“Oh, this is too good to be true,” Blaze says and laughs as Kace walks away from the bar.
“I... I... have been so worried about you,” Kace says, fighting to contain the emotions bubbling under the surface. “Did he hurt you?” He asks as he puts his hand on my cheek.
“Did who hurt me?” I ask as I shake away from his touch. My reaction hits him like a knife to the heart and his anger immediately rises to the surface.
“The piece of shit who just had his hands all over you.” He nods his head back towards the bar where Blaze is standing.
“N... N... No,” I stutter. He’s taken aback by the fear in my voice. “Blaze hasn’t hurt me. He would never.”
“Oh, so you’ve spent so much time with him, and you know him so well, do you?” He spits.
My shoulders roll forward and I shrink into myself, wanting to escape this situation, the tears building up in my eyes.
“I... I can’t do this, Kace, I’m sorry,” I say and turn away from him.
I try to walk away, but he pulls me back. No matter how hard I try to ignore our connection, I cannot. I feel the pull towards him from deep within my body and find myself unable to walk away. It’s nice to be in his arms again. Even after all this time, he still has a calming effect on me. He’s like a warm shower or bath at the end of a long day.
“Please, Kitten,” he whispers into my ear. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten angry with you, and I shouldn’t have raised my voice. I just care about you so much and it hurts me to see you in his arms.”
He holds my body against his and I slowly relax in his arms. He takes a deep breath, as if he is taking in my scent, before the tension in his body eases.
“I know that.” I sigh. “But I was happy, Kace. I was having fun with my new friends. I was starting to feel normal again. Back to the old me. Something I haven’t felt since...,” my voice trails off.
“Please, Kitten, don’t let my stupid outburst take your happiness away,” he begs. “I have just been so worried about you and then to see you in his arms. It hurts me to know that I’m not the one making you happy. Especially when it is him you chose. I’ll do anything—anything you want, to make you happy and to help you find yourself.”
Hearing the sincerity and pain in his voice, I turn to face him. His head is dropped, and he’s not making eye contact.
“Kace, first off, I haven’t chosen anyone,” I say as I lift his chin to make him look me in the eye. “Did it feel good to be with Blaze? Yes. Have I missed your company? Your touch? Yes, and yes.” His lip curls up into a smile as I continue. “I’m confused about everything in my life right now. I need you to understand that. This isn’t about you. This isn’t about Blaze. Everything I knew about myself, about my family, was a lie. I need you to be there for me without judgement and support me as I try to figure out who I am. Can you do that for me, Kace? Can you put aside your personal feelings for others and just be there for me?”
He nods without hesitation, his eyes still locked onto mine. “Yes, Kitten,” he says. “I promise you I will be there for you. Anytime you need me. I’ll do anything you need. This time I will not fail you.”
“Thank you, Kace.” I smile as I put my arms around his neck. “Now, hold me. Dance with me until these tears dry up. It’s the least you can do considering you caused them.”
His face softens, and he places a lingering kiss on my forehead. Using his thumb, he brushes the tears away from my cheeks before wrapping his arms around me and slowly moving our bodies in sync.
I peer over his shoulder and see Craze looking at us with shock and confusion written on her face. I’m sure she’ll have questions for me later.
“Well, it looks like things are about to get quite interesting,” Craze says to Laze as he orders a drink from the bar.
Why can I hear her? She’s across several feet away, in a noisy bar. How is this possible?
“What are you talking about?” Laze takes his drink from the bartender and turns to face Craze.
“Look for yourself,” Craze says, nodding towards the dance floor.
“Wait, where did he come from?” Laze asks. “And why is he with her? Where did Blaze go? What the hell is going on?”
“Good questions,” Craze replies.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything here,” Blaze says as he walks over to me and Kace. “But I believe I have a business meeting with one of you and plans to get busy with the other one. Sugar, can you guess which one you are?” He winks at me and Kace tenses.
Seriously? Can I go back to being twenty-four? Back to a time when everyone seemed to have better control of their raging-hormones—instead of being surrounded by a bunch of thirsty lunatics twenty-four seven.
“You’re the only one that likes the sound of your voice, Blaze,” Kace says as he pulls me into his side protectively.
Not true. I happen to find his voice very sexy.
“Let’s get our business done so I can take Whoopsie home,” Kace says and then turns to me, reading my face. “How does that sound to you, Kitten? We should be good to go in less than an hour.”
“Actually, I already made plans to stay with Craze tonight,” I say, happy that I made plans with the only one in this group that has some semblance of control over their hormones.
“Perfect,” Blaze says with a smirk. “See Kace, sugar is coming home with me tonight.”
“Actually, I said I’m going home with Craze tonight, C.R.A.Z.E. not Blaze.” I roll my eyes. “Why are your names so similar anyway? It’s confusing.”
Blaze laughs. “Well, you see, sugar, Craze and I live together, and we also drive home together,” he explains as Kace’s fingers dig deeper into my hips. “Meaning, you are coming home with me and sleeping in one of my beds tonight. I can tell you anything you want about our names then—I’ll even help you practice yelling mine if you want.”
Well, shit.
“What?” My voice comes out as a squeak. “I didn’t realise you lived together. And no, you do not get to warp this into something it’s not. I may be catching a ride home with you, but I’ll be staying in the spare room... alone. Craze already informed me that the spare room has a locking door and that no one will bother me in there. Unless I want them to.” I say pointing my finger at Blaze and then Kace. “Which, now that I think about it, sounded kind of like she was flirting with me too.”
I turn and look at Craze, who winks at me. I sigh and slowly turn back towards the boys.
“Seriously.” I rub my forehead in annoyance. “Everyone’s hormones are starting to really get on my nerves. I’ll be going to bed alone tonight, thank you. Do you all hear me? Whoopsie is going to bed alone tonight!” I make eye contact with as many people in the room as possible as I shout my declaration.
I’m exhausted already. Tonight needs to end. Soon.
“How about you two get your meeting done now so I can hurry and get this damn night over with?” I say to Kace and Blaze and they nod.
“Sure thing, boss,” Blaze says with a chuckle and a wink. I roll my eyes and shake my head.
“And for the love
of all things holy, please stop flirting every time you say something to me. You guys are exhausting.” The boys chuckle.
“Okay, Kitten,” Kace replies. “No promises after tonight though.” He smiles at me, and then turns to Blaze, reluctantly releasing my hips from his grasp. “Shall we?”
Blaze nods and they head off to one of the office areas. I have no idea what their business is, but I’m too exhausted to care.
I turn my attention towards the bar and Bel and I awkwardly share smiles. I think she knows I’m still not ready to talk to her, and she could see I’m having a bad night. So, we exchanged knowing nods and went on with our evenings. I went back to hanging out with Craze and Laze, while she stayed near the bar talking, dancing, and sucking face with Jay; they really are perfect for each other.
Finally, after almost an hour, it was time to get out of here and into a bed. Where I hope to have a very peaceful sleep after a very exciting and draining evening.
“Well, here you are,” Craze says as we walk into their guest room, or should I say suite. “Your own personal suite—complete with a locking door, as promised. Unless you want someone to come visit you tonight.” She winks, knowing it would annoy me. I honestly don’t remember the car ride here or the walk to the room; I’m sure I was asleep for both. All I can think about is putting my head down on a nice fluffy pillow and my body in a nice warm bed.
“Please, I don’t think I take any more flirting tonight,” I say as I my body slumps forward, and we both laugh.
“Can’t blame a girl for trying,” she says with a smile.
“This room is amazing, Craze.” I scan the room. It looks like a fancy hotel room with a living room and bathroom attached to the main bedroom area. “Thank you for letting me stay here. I have a feeling I’ll have a better night’s sleep tonight than I’ve had in a long time.”
“Great to hear, Sie,” she says and walks towards the door. “I will leave you be. If you need anything, I’m just down the hall to the left, second door on the right.” I nod. “I think I might have to go visit Laze in a bit. I have an itch I need scratched.” She winks and I laugh knowingly.