Tagged & Ashed (The Sterling Shore Series #2)

by Owens, C. M.

  She gets stopped by some men who’ve obviously been admiring her and waiting for their chance, but she just graciously smiles and excuses herself each time. She can’t be that in to Bity.

  I could watch that ass all damn day.

  She seemed completely indifferent to me. She never acted the least bit affected by my usually irresistible charm.

  I did all my usual stuff. I stared her directly in the eyes, I showed interest in her, I very obviously stared her up and down to let her know I was undressing her with my eyes, but none of it worked.

  I know I haven’t lost my touch, so I’ll just have to step up my game. I’ve sure as hell got more game than Bity.

  “Hey, come help me out with Alyssa’s cousins. They’re dying to meet you. That’s why I came over here,” Wren says just as Rene walks up.

  Bity’s eyes fall on her, and his smile involuntarily spreads too big. He’s still got it bad for her even though Ash is by far more impressive. There’s no way in hell a sane man would give up a night with that exquisite piece of sex-in-heels to be with Rene.

  If I nudge Rene in his direction, though, I could get my chance with Ash this weekend.

  “Yeah, Wren. Just give me a second,” I say with a devious grin as my scandalous plan forms.

  “Hey, Tag,” Rene says while blushing. “Hey, Billy.”

  It’s rather obvious her panties get wet every time she sees me, but I don’t have time to fuck with her head today. I’ve got a mission, and I’ve got a small window of opportunity.

  “I just met Bity’s girl, and I have to say, for the first time ever, he outdid me,” I say while keeping my smile in place.

  “Bity’s girl?” Rene asks curiously while turning her attention solely on the man who adores her far too much for his own good.

  He makes it too obvious, and girls don’t like a mushy loser, no matter how much they say they do. Every girl claims to want a nice guy, but they always fall for the bad boys.

  Bity squirms uncomfortably, but not because he’s ashamed. He just doesn’t know how to act around Rene - he never has.

  It’s odd he’s so comfortable around the ravishing Ash, but around annoying Rene, he’s a timid little boy.

  “Yeah, um… Ash and I sort of started dating.”

  “I thought you were just friends,” she almost whimpers, suddenly feeling intimidated by the goddess that has captured Bity’s attention.

  Step one complete.

  I’ve apparently gotten Rene to focus on Bity, so now’s my chance to go occupy the girl who will be pissed when she sees them flirting very soon.

  “Excuse me. I forgot I had two dates. I probably need to go find them.”

  Neither of them acknowledge me as Bity plays down his new relationship to her. I rush up the steps, avoiding all the scorned harlots' eyes as I pass by.

  Damn I’ve fucked too many girls from this circle.

  After Ash, I’ll let this circle breathe for a while and find a new one to dip into. I have to have that tempting vixen though.

  There are at least six bathrooms on just the ground floor, so I don’t know how in the hell I’m supposed to know which one she chose.

  Instead of haunting the halls, I opt to stay in the foyer where I know she’ll have to cross back through. Then I hear giggling.

  It’s her.

  I follow the adorable sound to the kitchen where Eduardo, Melanie's personal chef, is laughing and handing the sweet girl an appetizer.

  “These are so frigging cute,” she snickers while staring at the oddly-sized thing in her hand.

  “I know you like this one, too, Miss Ashiara” Eduardo says in his thick, Spanish accent.

  She pops a new thing in her mouth, and I prop up against the wall to watch her as she moans in delight.

  I’d love to be the reason she makes those sounds. Mmm. I will be.

  “Eduardo, if you weren’t married, I’d kiss you right now,” she murmurs with her mouth still full.

  “You fun to feed, Miss Ashiara. You always love my food.”

  “Every time I eat your food, it makes me regret not moving in when Melanie asked me to,” she laughs while biting into a new piece and moaning out her ecstasy once more.

  My pants tighten as I stiffen up. She’s killing me with that damn sound. I swear I’ve never heard something so hot. Now I’ve got to fuck her.

  How is it she’s so close to the Prize family - close enough for Melanie to invite her to live with her - yet I nor Wren have ever met her?

  Bity’s been hiding her from me. Smart little bastard. It’ll do him no good now though.

  “Mr. Tag, sir,” Eduardo says with a smile when he notices me standing in the doorway.

  “Evening, Eduardo,” I murmur cordially, pushing away from the wall just as Ash swivels around on her stool to face me, still chewing on her food.

  “I need to get these to the outside to Ms. Prize. She want to taste my newest creation,” he says, struggling with his English a little.

  She smiles softly while patting his arm on his way by her.

  “Thank you for letting me sample them, Eduardo. Tell Melanie they have my stamp of approval,” she kindly offers, her legs crossing as he blushes under her praise.

  “You always make me happy, Miss Ashiara.”

  I’d love it if she made me happy for a few hours.

  He walks on by, holding his tray full of strange creations, and then I move into the room to stare at the beautiful creature who is gazing fearlessly into my eyes. Why don’t I have any hold on her?

  I’ve never had this problem before.

  ***

  Ashiara

  Damn it, Eduardo. How dare you abandon me and leave me alone with him!

  Why does he keep staring?

  Damn, I hope he doesn’t see how crazy he’s making me right now.

  “So, Ash, you never did tell me your last name,” he murmurs with a sexy, low tone.

  With a steady breath, I reply, “Branderwood.”

  I have to keep everything clipped and short, and never give him an opening. That's an invitation for disaster.

  “That’s very matter-of-fact,” he says with a mischievous smile.

  I shrug, casually trying to play off my nerves.

  “You asked, I answered.”

  His lips tighten, and he leans against the wall in his expensive suit. I don’t have to know designers to see the perfect material begging to be touched. I try not to envision myself rubbing my hands anywhere on his body.

  “So, you and Bity—I don’t get it.”

  His confusion is genuine, and I don’t really understand that. Billy is damn good looking. If there was any spark between us at all, I’d go for it.

  “Billy is a great guy. What’s there to get?”

  “Are you an escort?” he blurts out, offending me instantly.

  My cheeks redden, but not from embarrassment - I’m furious. What asshole has that sort of audacity?

  “Excuse me, Tag. I need to get back to my paying customer,” I growl while standing up and losing the wobbling effect he once had on me.

  Now I just want to slap this creep instead of wanting to kiss him.

  “Hey, whoa. Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out so… crudely. It’s just… you’re smokin’ hot, and Bity doesn’t usually carry home a girl who looks anything like you. Matter of fact, he rarely has a girl at all.”

  Duh, dumbass. He’s in love with Rene. Blind fools.

  “You’ll understand that I still have the right to be offended. I’m going to get back to Billy now.”

  He blocks my path when I go to walk by him, and he smirks as he stares down at me. He thinks he's cute. He is, but he's so smug and sure of himself.

  “Any chance we can start over? I didn’t mean to come off as such a jerk. I’m actually quite charming, usually.”

  I tilt my head, and using my sweetest vixen’s voice, I speak while taking a step toward him.

  “I’m sure you can be, Tag.” My finger begins t
railing up his chest, and his breath hitches in response. “But… I don't forget that easily. Now move out of my damn way.”

  The ice I just doused his sizzle with is enough to make his brow scrunch as he steps aside and lets me by. I hold back a triumphant smile, though it’s hard as hell to do.

  I can feel him watching me as I leave, so I add a little sexiness to my strut as I head out to find Billy.

  The biggest reason he wants me is to screw with Billy. That's certainly obvious. What a dick.

  I see Billy and Rene talking, her hand on his arm as she giggles at whatever corny joke he just told her. A smile invades my face, and then I feel chills covering my body as heat presses against my back.

  “Oh, I forgot to mention... he’s talking to an old flame,” Tag murmurs, his breath finding my ear and traveling down my neck, creating a delicious crawl of contradicting and competing emotions.

  A medley of divine cologne and shampoo invade my nose. Damn, he smells so, so, so good.

  “He can talk to Rene all he wants. I’m not a crazy bitch,” I say through a laugh, my nerves hiding in the octaves of my off-pitch chuckles as I step away from his grasp.

  “Not the jealous type?” he muses suspiciously.

  I can’t help but smile at his agitation. Apparently he expected me to blow a fuse.

  “No, not jealous. I happen to like Rene. If Billy wants to talk to her, then he can. Don’t you have two dates to attend to? I’m sure they’d be jealous if they found out you’re stalking me.”

  I can’t believe how confident I sound right now, despite my throbbing… everything.

  He grins daringly as his body towers over mine. He backs me against the side of the house, and then his arm props up over my head as he leans down.

  “They can manage to work a party without me. You, however... You’ll need someone looking out for you out there. You’re too… you know what? I’ll just lead you around until Bity gets done catching up with Rene. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s driving you crazy that Billy is all grown up and women find him more interesting than you.”

  That’ll shut him up.

  He bursts out laughing, and then he leans back away from me while gasping for air as he heaves his laughter out all the louder.

  What an arrogant ass.

  “That’s priceless. Billy Prize more interesting than me,” he roars out through his chuckles.

  I roll my eyes at the obnoxious jerk, and then I head away from the house to meet the eyes of everyone staring at me.

  Too much cleavage, slut.

  I should have chosen a more conservative dress.

  I look down to Billy, and though he’s waving me over, his eyes tell me to give him more time alone with Rene.

  I blow him a kiss, and he offers a lopsided grin before giving me a wink. Within seconds, Rene’s hand finds his arm, instantly begging for his attention to return to her.

  Well I’ll be damned. He’s right. Stupid, crazy girl.

  If she likes him, then she should just admit it. Billy deserves to have her after all the years he has spent pining over her.

  I head over to the bar, and I huff in distaste as the Twin Bombshell Wonders draw the attention from the hungry eyes of all the men. I have no idea why Tag is wasting his time chasing me around just because he has beef with Billy, when he has Sexy Thing One and Sexy Thing Two hot and waiting for him.

  They giggle as they delight in their drunken dancing, and I prop up to laugh at the humiliating display.

  “I swear. Tag is far too refined and handsome to be escorting such trashy girls around,” Melanie gripes while shooing the girls away from the picture table.

  Maybe he’s the one who hired escorts.

  I hear a throat clearing, as Tag reappears, his humor gone when he stares at his foolish betties.

  “Shit,” he murmurs under his breath while walking toward Melanie. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “You better, or I will,” she says, almost as if she’s scolding one of her own children.

  I grin as his cheeks redden, and I watch as he starts tangling with them to remove their drunken bodies from the eyes of the disapproving.

  “They’re too skinny for tequila,” I say with a mocking tone as I raise my glass toward him in a triumphant gloating sort of toast.

  He scowls at me and then shrugs.

  “Could you give me a hand?”

  “Me?” I laugh. “Not my problem.”

  “Ashiara, please help him,” Melanie whines while turning toward me.

  Crap. Should've kept my mouth shut.

  He gives me a childish ha-in-your-face smile, and I narrow my eyes at him while going to relieve him of Sexy Thing One.

  She collapses almost instantly, her legs giving out, and she laughs hysterically as I wrap her arm around my shoulders, trying to distribute her weight.

  “I hate you right now,” I grumble as Tag scoops up Sexy Thing Two with effortless ease.

  He lets a laugh escape as I struggle with the girl who looks a lot skinnier than she feels. I follow him, cursing under my breath, as he makes his way around back for our discreet departure.

  “Thanks for this,” he murmurs softly as we find the array of parked vehicles.

  “Thank Melanie. She’s the one making me do this.”

  “Oh, I’ll be avoiding Melanie for a while. She’ll be wanting to kick my ass for this.”

  I accidentally laugh, but I quickly try to mask it. I don’t want to be anything but irritated right now. Here I am, helping him carry out his intoxicated dates, and I’m still drooling over him.

  I should be appalled by such a jerk. So why am I not?

  I know... The drought is screwing with my rationality. That's what it has to be.

  ***

  Tag

  Damn, this girl is heavy when she’s deadweight. This is the last time I ever bring two dates to a wedding full of single women. This whole Bity and Ash thing is starting to piss me off.

  She’s completely immune to all my charm. I swear she’s wearing a protective amulet under her dress somewhere - though I have no idea how she could hide anything under that dress. It hugs her body too perfectly. I’m sweating for all the wrong reasons, and I can’t remember a girl ever having this sort of affect on me. It's... irritating. Very irritating.

  She’s adorable, grunting and struggling behind me. Each time I sneak a peek at her, she gives me her best angry glare. It just makes her all the hotter, and I feel all the crazier.

  Maybe once I fuck her, I’ll shake whatever spell she has put on me. Perhaps I just hate the fact Bity brought the hottest girl here.

  “My car is just over there,” I murmur to break the silence as we walk over the gravel of the extended parking lot.

  I should have tipped the valet better. This gravel sucks. I forgot it was even back here.

  “Just so you know, carrying an extra hundred pounds in heels is not too frigging easy to do on gravel,” she snarls out, but I can’t help but laugh.

  Her being pissed is only turning me on more.

  Vivian or Valorie—whichever one she’s supporting—starts giggling as her arms drape around Ash and she bears down with all her weight as she passes out.

  I start to laugh, but then I hear a snapping sound and they both slap the gravel as Ash squeals out.

  “Fuck,” I blurt out while a valet rushes over.

  “Can I help you?” the guy prompts.

  “You can get Thing Two off of me,” Ash growls as she lays sprawled out on the ground under the crushing weight of the limp girl.

  Yeah... this is going to take one hell of a recovering.

  Ash already acts like she hates me. She probably will now. Damn my luck.

  The valet grabs… whichever one it is I’m holding, and I rush over to scoop the other off Ash as she grumbles and groans under her breath. Another guy rushes over and takes the deadweight from my arms as I lean down to inspect the ravishing dark-haired girl who is refusing to meet my gaze
.

  “Your heel broke,” I murmur, as if to myself, while surveying the damage done.

  “Gee, you think?” she snaps while pulling the shoe off completely.

  Her toes are so fucking cute. Each one is painted a color to exactly match her dress, and I smirk while bending to pick her up.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she sneers while trying to swat me away.

  “You’re bleeding and now you're barefoot. I’m going to carry you back to the house, and then I’m going to clean you up. It’s the least I can do."

  She blinks a couple of times, and then she glances around at the sea of gravel surrounding us.

  “Shit,” she exhales while giving in to my request and wrapping her arms around my neck. “I wouldn’t be bleeding or barefoot if it wasn’t for your overly showy date entourage. Really? You had to bring two drunk bimbos?”

  Jealous maybe? Or am I just reading too much into her little tantrum?

  Her body feels so good pressed to mine, and my eyes lock with her deep blues that seem to resemble a stormy sky.

  I’m almost breathless for the first time ever. Even worse, I’m speechless. Where are all my skills when I need them? My swagger has deserted me.

  Her lips part slightly, and her eyes fall to my lips, almost looking longingly at them. I can’t tell if she wants me to kiss her, or if she’s just fucking with me. It looks sincere though, so I decide to make my move

  A throat clearing interrupts our almost kiss, and I lean back while her head jerks to the front.

  “Sorry, Sir, but where would you like us to take these girls?” one of the forgotten valets strains out through exhaustion, still clutching the girl to his chest.

  “My car. It’s right there. If one of you will-”

  “What the hell is going on?” Wren gushes as he sprints toward us.

  “Well, a lot actually. I was about to give them the address to take the girls home. They don’t live far from here.”

  Wren’s eyes narrow as Ash lets a dramatically exasperated chuckle free.

  “You’re sending away your dates?” Wren asks.

  “Your mom might kick my ass if I don’t,” I say to downplay things.

  I really just want a shot with Ash, and she’s not really digging the whole two-date thing. Some girls would see it as a challenge, and they'd work twice as hard to gain my attention. I'm positive she's not one of those girls—unfortunately.