The Avoiding Series Boxset

by K. A. Linde

  “Four times if what?” she asked curiously.

  His smile continued as he entered her personal space again. This time she stood her ground and looked up into his face. He was so tall she had to tilt her head all the way back just to look into his face. “Nothing.”

  Deciding he was telling the truth, Lexi nodded and said, “Right, well, cut it out.”

  “You really don’t remember meeting me?” he asked ignoring the stares he was receiving from all angles.

  “I think I’d remember someone who has no concept of personal space,” she muttered. He titled his head to the side really looking at her face from her smoky make-up to her large brown irises to her button nose landing last on her plump lips. Then he took one step back and then another.

  “My apologies. Is that better?” he questioned his eyes roaming her tiny clothing once more. Lexi just grumbled an affirmative.

  Bekah giggled and clung to Jack’s arm breaking them from their argument, and bringing them back into reality. Lexi took a sly glance at Jack. He looked tense and out of place as he slung his arm around Bekah’s shoulders. Lexi hadn’t even been paying attention to Jack throughout that entire encounter. But as she looked closer, she realized he looked ready to pounce. God, she did not understand him sometimes. Only a few minutes earlier, he had been making out with his girlfriend not caring who heard him, and now he was openly glaring because she was talking with Ramsey! She hadn’t even been flirting with him. She had actually been annoyed with him. Oh, wait, dammit! He thought she was sexy when she was angry.

  Bekah broke the awkward silence that had settled in the air. “Ramsey, you should introduce Lexi to your roommates. I have a feeling they would just love her.”

  Lexi wasn’t sure what that meant, but as soon as Ramsey called over his roommates she understood her implication. These two guys, though they had the same appearance of class that Ramsey wore, didn’t pull it off quite as well. Lexi could see straight through to the frat boy beneath, and cringed as they collided with her body. She hadn’t even gotten the introduction before they were hugging and fondling her. They smelled strongly of booze as if they had been drinking all day...all week.

  Ramsey grabbed both of his roommates by the back of their collar and yanked them off of her. “Hands off. She’s never been to one of our parties,” he said roughly pushing them to the side.

  “All the more reason,” the one dressed in navy said.

  “Agreed,” the other, in a yellow Georgia Tech polo, approved.

  “Uh...I don’t think so,” Lexi said pushing her hands out in front of her. Then she caught a glimpse of Jack’s face. He wasn’t doing a very good job at hiding his displeasure. If she had thought that he had been jealous earlier today, it was nothing compared to the waves of jealousy he was sending her way now. Somewhere deep inside, she knew that she shouldn’t enjoy the fact that he felt that way, but she was pretty much ignoring all the things that she was supposed to be doing and feeling. She was in Atlanta for Jack, which was bad enough. If Jack was getting some backlash for his bad choices, well then so be it.

  “I don’t even know your names,” she said buying herself some time.

  “You don’t need our names,” Georgia Tech guy informed her sidestepping Ramsey and snaking an arm around her waist. So maybe his roommates weren’t as handsome as Jack or even Ramsey, but they were still cute. At least cute enough that she would have flirted with them on any other night.

  She thought she heard his friend whisper something derogatory into the other’s ear, but she didn’t catch all of what was said. The end was something along the lines of ‘after we’re through with her.’ But understanding the looks that were cast between the two of them, she probably didn’t want to know the rest. She needed to say something to get their minds off of sleeping with her, because that would never happen.

  “So explain this party to me. It’s pretty early to drink on a Sunday,” Lexi asked glancing between Ramsey and his two roommates.

  “It’s never too early here,” navy guy said.

  “Plus, Ramsey comes pretty stocked,” Georgia Tech guy answered eye-fucking her clothing choice. It was a good thing she didn’t do self-conscious.

  “Oh does he?” she asked eyeing Ramsey suggestively. Jack coughed uncomfortably in the corner. Bekah had snaked an arm up to his hair and was gently twirling the longer strands in the back between her fingers.

  “I thought we weren’t friends,” Ramsey reminded her pushing aside his roommates who looked all too ready to devour her.

  “We’re not,” she said smiling coyly at him from under her long lashes. “I’m not this nice to my friends.” This was better. She could avoid being rude to him for a few minutes while Jack watched. Though, she wasn’t all too sure how long she could hold out the routine.

  “All right,” he began, looking at her peculiarly as if wondering when she had become so nice, “I have a good deal of friends who work in late night establishments during the weekend. So, I host parties Sunday nights for them.”

  That was simple enough. “That’s uh...nice of you.”

  Bekah giggled. “Nice is one word for it.”

  “Bekah,” Ramsey said turning his attention to her. Though the tone wasn’t sharp and the look he sent her was the same perfect Country Club smile that gave away nothing, she knew he wasn’t pleased. She wasn’t sure what it was about him that made her realize it. There was just a slight line of tension forming around his mouth, and his hands were curled into loose fists. Something about the way his eyes clouded over as he stared at Bekah. Lexi seemed to have accidentally stepped into a family dispute, and was feeling all the more uncomfortable as Bekah returned his resolute smile.

  Slowly, he shifted his gaze back to Lexi. “Anyway, what they meant is that I have a fully stocked bar,” Ramsey said sweeping his arm out to reveal a black bar along the majority of the back wall. The only wall space not obscured by the construction was a back door with a large window opening up to a balcony.

  “Ya know, I kind of figured that,” Lexi said.

  A few people were already ordering drinks from a tiny blonde bombshell whipping up concoctions as fast as they were requested. Jack and Bekah sidled up to the girl hand-in-hand, and began knocking back their drinks.

  “What would you like?” Ramsey asked her. “Valentine can make you anything.”

  Lexi giggled a little at her name. Valentine really? God, that was awful. Sounded like a stripper’s name or something. She quickly composed herself as Ramsey looked down on her fondly. She hadn’t meant to giggle. “A Grateful Dead would be nice,” she told the bartender picking a drink at random. Within seconds the drink was before her complete with a cherry and everything. She was impressed. “This is kind of awesome,” she admitted. The smile she received from Ramsey was nearly blinding. He genuinely looked ecstatic that she approved.

  Another uncomfortable cough emanated from behind them, and Lexi hastily turned around to find Jack looking between her and Ramsey. She wasn’t sure why he was acting like this. Honestly, it was ridiculous. He was here with his girlfriend. She was the one who was supposed to be jealous. Not him. But it was kind of nice to have the upper hand in this silly game they were playing.

  “We’re going to dance,” Jack said pointedly grabbing Bekah’s free hand and pulling her into the crowded living room. Lexi watched them become enveloped in the mass. She hated how they were acting. Wasn’t she supposed to be getting over Jack? She couldn’t see how hanging out with him like this was helping anything.

  Quite the contrary. She felt as compelled to him as she had when she had first glimpsed his brown hair at the coffee shop or those enticing blue eyes at the club. She had been right to say that things weren’t different. And Chyna had been right to say that she needed some semblance of closure. She needed to be over him. She couldn’t keep living her life hoping they would one day find the right moment to be together.

  Turning back to face Ramsey’s perfect smile, she downed her drink as fast
as she could automatically reaching out for him to steady her weak legs. “Wow, that’s the good stuff,” she said returning his smile.

  “Want another?”

  “Mmm...Sure. Wait,” she cried stopping him before ordering, “let’s do lemon drops! Those were my favorite.”

  “Were?” he asked raising his eyebrows.

  “Yeah, in college. I drank them every weekend. It feels like one of those nights.”

  The peculiar look he had given her earlier returned. She liked it. He was very cute indeed. He turned back to Valentine. Seconds later, two lemon drops were in front of them. The dizzying effects of vodka coursing through her body were helping her successfully escape Jack’s hold. She needed another. After two more rounds of shots her mind was good and cloudy, and she was ready to dance. Ready to forget.

  Lexi grabbed Ramsey’s hand and pushed her way through to the center of the crowd. He seemed surprised that she wanted to be around him all of a sudden, but got over that as she began to shamelessly grind her ass against him.

  There was hardly enough space for her to breathe let alone move around much. That left her the option of being plastered against Ramsey’s strong chest, and really she didn’t mind. He was a solid rock of muscles. She had to be right in her assessment that he worked out constantly. There was no other option for how strong he was.

  The best part was that he was also a great dancer. Each time she would change up her motions, he would follow along perfectly somehow making the movements even sexier. Lexi reached up, and wound her hands around his neck as she stood on the balls of her feet. He took advantage of the opportunity to move his hands along her exposed body feeling the hot skin through her clothing. Leaning back against him, she let her head fall onto his chest, and she stared up into his amazingly well structured face.

  Just as that happened, a buxom blonde shimmied up to them and began grinding on Lexi. The girl was doing things with her body that Lexi had never dreamed people were capable of. She was contorting and twisting all the while touching herself. The girl’s eyes were blood shot and unfocused, occasionally rolling back into her head. Lexi had no idea what was wrong with her.

  Ramsey grasped the girl’s arm forcefully and squeezed. Her eyes snapped open. Lexi stared between the two and stopped moving. “Not tonight Coco.” The girl glared at him.

  “You sure, baby?” she purred despite the fact that she looked murderous.

  “Go get that shit out of your system,” he said lowering his voice in warning.

  “Whatever,” she said yanking her arm away from him and exiting the living room.

  Lexi’s head jerked back to Ramsey’s face. “Sorry about that,” he said his voice returning to normal.

  “What was that about?” she asked curiosity getting the best of her.

  “Just don’t worry about it. She comes here like that all the time. She’s supposed to be clean,” he said grasping her hips that were now facing him and pulling her close.

  The hypnotic feel of intoxication was hitting her hard and she giggled compulsively. “Is her name really Coco?”

  “Just a nickname,” he said swaying his hips in time with her. All of his friends seemed to have nicknames.

  She stopped thinking as the next song came on, and focused on dancing in Ramsey’s muscular arms. The music and dancing took her back to hanging out with Chyna in New York when she was just able to be young and carefree, dancing all nights in clubs, and drinking an exorbitant amount of alcohol. No matter how often she drank, she was still the cheapest date of anyone she had ever met. Her tolerance never wavered. She was sloshed after the second drink, and would likely be throwing up if she exceeded five.

  As she let her body roll against Ramsey, she focused in on a couple in front of her seductively dancing against the wall. Lexi’s heart rate picked up as she watched. Bekah pushed Jack back against the wall and began to kiss him feverishly. Lexi couldn’t pull her eyes away. She hadn’t even thought of Jack since she had gotten out on the floor with Ramsey. It had been a comfort to forget him, but now here he was…on display. Bekah gripped his hips and slid alluringly down his front. She took no care of her tiny skirt as she perched with her head in front of his crotch. Lexi felt as if she were intruding on a very private moment. Their intimacy was so seductively erotic that had they been alone Bekah could have easily been going down on him. She watched as Bekah forced herself up and back against him. He moved easily with her as if this were a common motion…just a transfer of sexual emotion from the bedroom to the dance floor.

  Lexi hated to admit it, but they looked good together. It sickened her watching them move together so perfectly…to fit together so perfectly. She could feel alcohol-induced tears welling in her eyes. She turned around so fast she knocked into Ramsey, and nearly fell back from impact. He snatched her before she could fall into another person, and looked down upon her mortified face. The tears were threatening to seep out, and that was the last thing she wanted.

  He seemed to comprehend that as he bent down to speak into her ear. “Do you want to get some fresh air? I’m kind of suffocating,” he admitted, though she knew it was more for her sake.

  The crowd parted as he passed through, and he staved off his roommates. Opening the back door, he ushered her out into the humid August air where they found themselves blessedly alone. She checked her cheeks and found them dry, which was her sole comfort from the entire episode.

  “Are you okay?” he asked purposefully giving her enough room to breathe.

  Lexi remained silent but nodded. After a few minutes of strained silence, she felt more composed, and a little extra tipsy from the emotional whirlwind she had just undergone. She breathed out heavily, and leaned her elbows back against the wooden banister. Ramsey walked forward and stood in front of her. She couldn’t help but notice how attractive he looked in the moon light. She smiled at him endearingly.

  “It’s good to see that you look better.” She shrugged again. The earlier incident, though not out of her mind, was at least momentarily forgotten.

  “Thanks. I think I dress up well too,” she said biting her lip and staring at him flirtatiously.

  “I think both clothing options work for you,” he said taking another step closer to her.

  “Thank you very much. I have to say…” She eyed him up and down. “Both options work for you too.” She hiccupped and leaned forward against him as she giggled. “Though, these muscles are much better in your polo.” She placed her hand on his bicep and squeezed.

  He smiled his perfect smile, and reached out to help support her. “I’m glad you like them. I spend a decent amount of time in the gym to keep them.”

  “I didn’t say I liked them,” she said blushing.

  “Fine. I’m glad they look better in my polo,” he corrected boldly circling her waist. She let him. It was a nice feeling. He wasn’t exactly holding her, but having his big strong arms this close was nice indeed. “You really don’t remember me then?”

  “Nope!”

  “You know I wasn’t being completely honest with you,” Ramsey said sliding her back another step and leaning her against the balustrade.

  “It doesn’t matter,” she slurred staring at his lips. By now, she wasn’t all too sure what he was talking about. She couldn’t remember if it was important.

  “No, I guess it doesn’t, but I could still tell you.”

  Her head felt heavy and it lolled backward twice before she looked back up at him. God, his lips looked damn near edible from this close up. They were a soft pink color and perfectly proportioned. He licked his lips as she watched, and couldn’t help but let loose a soft breath as her heart rate picked up.

  He chuckled quietly when he noticed she wasn’t really paying attention to what he was saying. “Lexi, don’t you want to know what I’m talking about?”

  “Yep,” she said letting her focus shift back to his emerald green eyes. “I want to…”

  “You want me to…” he began letting the words hang in
the silence. Her eyes widened and pupils dilated with longing at the words. “…Tell you what I’m talking about?”

  “Oh,” she said, sucking in her bottom lip in confusion. “That’s not what I thought you were going to say.”

  He snickered again. “What I have to say can wait. What did you want me to say?” he asked leaning into her.

  She blushed furiously as her thoughts turned sexual. She tilted her head back to look up at him. Suddenly, she wanted to be sitting on the banister so she could get a better look at him. She wanted to be eye level with him. “Put me up,” she demanded slapping her hand playfully on the banister.

  “All right, but be careful,” he said hoisting her up and sitting her on the top of the railing. He held a firm grip on her so that she wouldn’t fall. A ten-foot drop while she was drunk probably wouldn’t do her any serious damage, but he didn’t want to take the chance.

  She liked her seat. Now she was even with him. This was much easier. His hand came up and swept her hair out of her face. “You know, Lexi, you’re very beautiful.”

  She smiled at him through her lustful eyes. “Thank you.” Her breathing quickened as she noticed how close they had gotten. She hadn’t noticed it before, but he had scooted in between her legs to block the view from the window. She felt her bare thighs press against his sides, and realized her skirt was barely covering her lower half. One hand was wrapped around her holding her securely in place. The other was on the back of her neck gently kneading the muscles. His breath was hot on her face. Their mouths were so close together.

  There was no reason for her not to kiss him. She was single. She was completely one hundred percent available. Jack was nothing to her. She couldn’t have him. Not the way she wanted him. She might as well go for what was right in front of her. She pushed herself a little closer to Ramsey. She was so close she could almost feel his lips against her. His breathing was wretched with anticipation. As he moved closer to her, something caught her eye in the window. She let her gaze shift fleetingly, and saw the most brilliant blue eyes lock onto her own. Then Ramsey was kissing her, and all thoughts were lost.