by Claire Adams
“It looks like your drink is getting empty." Daniel nodded to Emily's glass. "Let’s go fill you up."
"Hmmm...that sounds...fun?" She laughed again as Daniel's cheeks turned pink.
"Oh Lord," Cora mumbled beside me.
I leaned against the bar, not paying her a bit of attention. My eyes moved out to the floor to find my friends enjoying themselves. Everyone had a beer in their hand, which wasn't good. Someone was supposed to be the designated driver, but from the look of things, no one remembered who it was.
"Well, damn." I took another sip of my half-drunken beer and tossed it.
"Beer go bad?" Her voice was firm and non-conversational.
"Nope. My friends seemed to have forgotten that it wasn't my night to remain sober." I shrugged and slipped my hands in my pockets before moving up toward the dance floor, letting my eyes scan the room.
"You like to dance?" she asked, moving up beside me.
"Yeah, you bet. Just don't think it means you're taking me to bed, though." I grabbed her hand before she could correct me. Her question could have been easily misconstrued as a request to dance. Good enough.
I slid my hands over her hips, enjoying the feel of her under my fingers. Her dress was thin, and I could feel the elastic that lay over her hips, connecting her panties from the small triangle that covered her to the thin string that ran down her ass. My body hardened to the point of pain, my chest tightening with the knowledge that I could find release just thinking about her.
"What are you doing?" She pressed her hands to my chest, keeping a distance between us.
I leaned down and pressed my mouth to her ear, breathing in the sweet smell of her perfume. "You asked me to dance. I know how to just be friends with someone, so I figured, why not."
"I did not." She lifted her eyebrow as I moved back.
"I can't hear you." I leaned down and turned my face from her as she leaned in, her lips brushing over my ear.
Fuck.
"I didn't ask you to dance. I asked if you liked to dance." She moved back and glanced around.
"Oh, sorry. Shit." I tugged her a little closer. "Our friends are all dancing. Don't leave me out here alone. It wouldn't be very kind of you, and you're already two strikes in."
"Two strikes? For what?" Her large brown eyes moved around my face as she kept a firm press on my chest.
"One for the car situation the other day and then the lake this morning. I could have drowned, and then what?" I moved my hands up a little, trying to keep myself from sliding them any lower. I'd already have most women in a closet on their knees, but not this girl. She wasn't going anywhere. Why did I want her so damn bad?
She laughed, and the sound drove a stake of desire through me. I wanted to make her laugh again. Even though it was a sarcastic “suck it” laugh.
"I could care less if I strike out." She glanced around. "You just don't take no for an answer, do you?"
"I'm not sure what I asked you for that has you wanting to say no. I'm pretty sure I asked you for help today and you said no. And you asked me for a dance, and I didn't deny you. Am I missing something?"
I spun her, pulling her back against my chest and rocking against her as she started to relax a little. The music was sensual and fun. A few more beers and I might get her to grind against me.
Might.
"I'm not interested in guys like you, Brody. You're wasting your time." She pulled from me a little, and I spun her again, pulling her flush against me.
"Well, the way I see it, our friends are going to want to hang out. Where you and I have nothing going for us, that doesn't mean we can't be buds." I pulled back a little, giving her space. The light pink on her cheeks and down her neck accompanied with the fast ticking vein in the side of her neck let me know just how little I affected her.
Liar.
"Buds? Like fuck buddies?" She laughed and pulled back completely. "I don't think so, mister."
"Fuck buddies? I have plenty of those. I just meant...aw, never mind." I turned and walked to the center of the dance floor, turning and dancing with a large group of girls. I was done for the night. Being overbearing wasn't my style. Teasing her back into my arms would work out much better.
"Brody?" A feminine voice caught my attention, and I turned to find Dina standing there in a tiny black dress.
"Wow. You look..."
"Fucking hot. I know." She moved toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck. "You messed up yesterday. How about you make it up to me tonight?"
"Whatcha got in mind?" I moved us out to the edge of the floor before sliding my hands over her exposed back. Her skin felt good against my fingers, but she wasn't the girl I wanted beneath me for the night.
"A long night of making each other moan?" She lifted to her toes as if to kiss me, but I spun her away, pulling her back to my chest and pressed my hand to the front of her taunt stomach.
"Dance with me first." I leaned down and pressed my lips to the side of her neck, nipping softly as she rolled her hips and massaged me with the steep curve of her ass.
"Anything you want. Just don't fuck up again." She turned a little to line her face up with mine.
I moved back slowly and gripped her hips tightly, dancing with the music as she worked her body against mine. She was sexy as hell, and yet I couldn't help but glance around until I found Cora.
She turned from me the minute our eyes met, the emotion in her gaze one I'd seen far too many times to ignore. Jealousy.
What do you want from me, sexy girl? You want me to woo you? To sway you to consider me? Is it worth it? For one night?
Dina turned and ran her hands over my chest and stomach to cup me. "I'm ready to go. I don't wanna dance anymore."
"Alright, baby." I took her hand and walked toward my friends. Cora and hers were nowhere in sight.
Daniel turned and glanced down at Dina as his eyes widened. "Hey. We're taking the girls for ice cream. You guys wanna...um, come?"
"No, but thanks." I ignored his joke and extended my hand. "Give me the keys to the truck. I wanna get home fast."
"Yeah, sure." Clay pulled the keys out. "We'll leave you guys be. Have fun."
"You, too." I tugged Dina toward the door as she jogged to keep up with me.
"Excited?" she asked as we walked down the stairs and passed by Cora and her friends.
Emily called out to me. "Brody, are you not coming?"
"Not yet, I'm not." I turned and winked at her before putting my attention back on Dina. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and helped her into the truck.
The look on Cora's face when I rounded the corner was almost priceless.
"That's what I was talking about." She nodded toward the truck.
"Right, well, you don't know me at all. Dina's my cousin and I was joking, but have fun tonight. I'm a little worn out from being judged by someone who doesn't know me from Adam. Good night, Cora."
I got in the truck and drove out to the lookout point before turning off the truck and letting out a long sigh. There were very few times in my life that I was left questioning my decisions, but this was one of them.
"God, you're hot. The sexiest thing in this whole damn town." Dina moved across the bench seat and worked on my jeans as I reclined the seat and let out a long breath.
"You're not too bad yourself, baby." I brushed her hair back as she laid down and tugged my cock free. It was going to take some effort to get it back up after having Cora douse my arousal in her third denial of me. I wasn't even asking for anything more than a conversation.
I groaned as Dina sucked me deep into her mouth, her hands working where her mouth didn't touch. My fingers tangled into her hair as I leaned back and closed my eyes. I forced myself to stay in the present and not imagine her to be anyone but who she was.
"Come, Brody." She glanced up as I opened my eyes and nodded.
"Suck harder and I will, baby." I reached down and ran my hand up the back of her leg, playing with the bottom curve of her ass.<
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"I wanna taste you," she mumbled and went back to work, letting her aggression out on me. I couldn't reach the edge or even come close. She was getting frustrated, as was I. The last thing I needed was her mouthing off about me not being able to release to the whole damn town, and she seemed like the kind of girl who would do it.
I closed my eyes and imagined Cora on her knees, her chestnut locks in my hand, her mouth filled with me as she looked up and nodded, wanting more of me inside of her.
My thighs tightened as my breath caught. "You want it?" I whispered. "Tell me you want it."
She pulled off of me, licking and sucking at the head of my cock as she whispered the words I needed to hear. "I want you."
Not it. You.
A cry ripped from my chest as my body convulsed. It had been too long since I'd experienced such a high, and I knew without a doubt that it would only drive me to demand to experience it again. But this time, I wanted the reality, not the fantasy.
I wanted to keep my eyes open.
Chapter Ten
Cora
I spent most of Saturday recovering from the hangover I got Friday night. Brody's friends had joined us for a little while, but gone back to the party when they realized that we were headed for pajamas and a bottle of wine, not hot sex in the back of a truck.
I couldn't help but think they were like him more than they knew. All of them except Daniel. He was different and not in a way that was too thrilling to think about.
"What are you thinking about?" Dedra dropped down next to me as she worked to get her sandals on.
"That yesterday was a waste because of all that liquor I drank." I curled up on my side, pulling my feet away to give her more room. "Are you really going to find a church?"
"I think laying around yesterday was good for us, and yeah...my grandmother would roll over in her grave if I missed church. You should come with me." She popped my thigh and smiled. "You could ask for forgiveness for all those naughty thoughts you've been having about Brody."
"I have not." I pulled my blanket up to just under my chin. "He's a man whore."
"Yep, and like any other woman in this place, I'd pay for him for a night." She laughed and got up.
"Now who needs to ask for forgiveness?" I pushed at her with my foot as I smiled.
"I'm not denying it." She shrugged and grabbed the keys to my BMW. "Can I?"
"Of course." I glanced over toward the kitchen as Cindy walked out.
"When will you be back from church? I was hoping we could go do some shopping today. We could eat at that bistro that we went to the first day we got in. Cora and Emily would love it."
Dedra nodded before walking toward the door. "I'll be back around twelve. Be ready to go, and we'll eat and shop our afternoon away. Sounds like fun."
Cindy tugged at my foot as the front door closed behind Dedra. "You want some bacon and eggs?"
"I do, but I hate the idea of you cooking." I sat up and stretched. "Where is Emily?"
"She stayed the night with Clay last night. You passed out early." Cindy shrugged and sat down beside me.
"What?" I grabbed my phone and called her. "Is she okay?"
"Yes. What's up with you?" Cindy laughed and got up. "Come in the kitchen for breakfast after you're done playing mother to your fully grown best friend."
Emily's voice filled the line. "Hey. I'm coming home soon. Just making breakfast for the boys."
"You hate to cook." I couldn't keep the jealousy out of my voice. Watching Brody leave with the dark-haired supermodel on Friday night had me in knots. I didn't even know the guy, but the fact that he was going to be part of my life for the next few months thanks to our friends hooking up left me confused and pissy.
"I don't mind so much. None of them were cooking." She yawned and giggled. "Stop it, Clay."
"Hey, I'm on the phone still. No grossing me out." I got up and walked to the kitchen, hating how badly I wanted to ask her if Brody was there.
"Sorry. What are we doing today? The guys want to get together tonight, I think."
"We're going to lunch and shopping. We'll talk about all that jazz when we see you. Be here by noon." I got a glass from the counter and turned to find Cindy watching me.
"Alright. See you soon."
I dropped the call and sat the phone down. "What?"
"You know what?" She put her hands on her hips. "You like him."
"Daniel? He's alright, but I'm not attracted to him. He's too studious." I shrugged and walked to the fridge, pulling out a gallon of orange juice and pouring a glass.
"Okay. We've been friends for forever and you're going to stand here and lie to my face?" I could hear the hurt in her voice. She was my most sensitive friend by far.
"Fine. I don't like him at all, but I'm insanely attracted to him. Okay?" I turned to face her and lifted my juice to my lips. "The fact that he took his cousin home on Friday is still bothering me. But..." I shook my head to stop her from getting excited, which was exactly where she was headed. "He's a user. I'm not getting involved."
"Not even for a night?" She leaned against the kitchen counter.
"What? No. Who would survive that? He would be that dude." I took another drink of my orange juice and staved off the images that continued to push through my mind's eye. I couldn't stop myself from seeing the way he looked on the dock a few mornings before. I'd licked water from his abs ten times in my mind over the last day.
"What dude?" She pulled a few things from the fridge as she turned her attention back on me.
"The guy you compare everyone to." I sighed and sat my juice down. "He's a playboy, Cindy. That means he's probably a terrific lay. Not many guys care to be a great lay. So then, for the rest of my life, I'm going to be settling for the okay lay when I've had the terrific one?"
"You should hear how ridiculous you sound." She laughed and turned toward the stove. "I look at it like the opportunity to have a terrific lay. I've been with a lot of guys. Good or bad, in between, and I'm telling you, the terrific ones in the sack were worth every ounce of heartache afterward."
"I doubt that." I grabbed a banana and walked to the front door. "I'm going to sit out on the porch for a little while. Come get me if you need me."
"You still want breakfast, right?"
"Yeah, if you're cooking it, but if not, no worries, really." I opened the door and walked out to the patio. The sun was shining in the far end of the sky, and boats were already covering a large portion of the lake. A part of me wanted to get the keys to ours and disappear for a few hours. I wasn't on summer vacation to fall in love. It wasn't part of the plan. Though, there was a slight chance that it would happen, if it did, Brody was exactly the type of guy it would happen with.
He was a Brandon, and for that reason alone, I was going to fight like hell to ignore his advances.
Now, I just had to stay sober enough around him not to make any advances of my own.
Easy. Sort of.
*
"Let's go." Dedra shook my shoulder, pulling me from the sleepy state I sat in on the porch after breakfast. After eating more than I should have, I'd gone back outside to rest and think through all the reasons why liking Daniel rather than Brody would be a better option for me. The chances of anything physically happening between us were out, since he wasn't at all my time. And the best part? If Brody thought his friend was interested in me, then there was no way he was dick enough to step in Daniel's way. Right?
"Where are we going?" I shaded my eyes as I glanced up at Dedra, half expecting to find her still in her Sunday best.
"Shopping. Emily and Cindy are already in the car. Get up, missy." She readjusted her sunglasses and pulled off her hat.
"Alright. I'm coming." I sat up and let out a long yawn before walking to the house to find some sandals. My shorts and t-shirt were cute enough to keep up with my friends’ clothing choices for the day, and seeing that I was working to repel most men rather than draw them in, I was good. I'd dress up as soon as I fou
nd a good reason that wasn't Brody.
"Hey, sleepyhead." Emily reached over and squeezed my arm as I got into the driver’s seat.
"Hey." I rolled my shoulders. "How was spending the night with Clay? Were the other guys good to you?"
"Just ask." She gave me a sideways glance as Cindy chuckled in the backseat.
Dedra got in as I started in on them.
"Just ask what? I'm not interested in him. Okay?" I turned a hard gaze onto Emily, and then turned to make sure Cindy saw it, too. "Not. Interested."
"Okay. Okay. Put your teeth back in your head, Cujo." Emily lifted her hands and laughed. "They were all good to me, Brody included. He's hilarious when you get to know him a little."
"Excellent. Glad you had fun." I pulled the car out of the driveway and ignored the need to scream at her. I needed to get myself together. I wasn't at all the type of person that would attack my friends due to something internally that I was wrestling with. It wasn't their fault that the center of my wet dreams was a demanding asshole who wasn't going to let up until I gave in.
Or maybe he would?
I couldn't help but remember how quickly he'd moved from giving me attention to ignoring me on Friday night. It almost seemed worse that he would pretend that I wasn't there at all. It was part of his game, and he was damn good at it, but I could play a few games of my own.
Stop it. Shit.
"So, here's what I'm thinking," Cindy began, leaning up into the front seat a little as I drove toward town, "You need to find a cute guy that's not Brody and get laid. Your mood has gone from good to worse to sucky. We're going to throw your pretty ass in the lake if you don't stop being crabby."
I laughed, unable to help myself. Emily was usually the one to set me straight and threaten my life, but never Cindy. She was too sweet and motherly for that.
"Wow." Dedra chuckled. "That's what I'm talking about. Let's get our girl laid by a non-Brody stud and we'll be back on track."
"Alright. Thanks for the offer, but I can rein myself in. No need to pimp me out." I shook my head and pointed to a café across the street. "That looks good. You guys wanna try that one?"