DELUDE

by Jacob Chance

  “Dude, you’re such a dickhead when it comes to women. Someday you’ll meet a girl who’ll knock you on your ass and you won’t even know what hit you.” He smiles. “I can’t fucking wait.”

  I shove his chest. “Fuck off with that bullshit. It’s never going to happen. I’m never going to have a ball and chain around my ankle. I’ll stick with some full red lips wrapped around my dick instead.” I wink at him and he fist bumps me.

  “I’ll give you that. Lips around the ole shaft is where it’s at, but it’s even better when it’s the same pair all the time.”

  “Sure dude. Keep convincing yourself of that.” I pat him on his thick chest and walk toward the kitchen for a refill.

  There are a few people playing poker at the round table in the corner of the room. Grabbing a red cup, I fill it with ice from the freezer. I chuck my empty beer bottle in the recycling bin. My eyes scan all the bottles of liquor lined up on the counter. What am I in the mood for? I spot a bottle of Jack Daniels on the far left and pour some over the ice. The frozen cubes crack when the room temperature liquid makes contact with them and my mouth waters as I anticipate taking the first sip. I add some coke and then stir it all with a straw I found on the counter. I drop the straw on the granite and take the first sip of the cool mixture. It’s better than I anticipated and I exhale a sigh of satisfaction. This is what I needed - less people and a stiff drink.

  I move toward the back exit off the kitchen. There’s a large deck that spans the width of the house and it was one of my favorite places to hang out when I lived here. Just as I open the door someone crashes into me, spilling their drink all down the front of my shirt.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I snap. The cotton tee clings to me now, soaked with beer. The pungent scent of it is all I can smell. I step back inside the kitchen and look for a towel.

  “I’m sorry.” A breathless female voice answers.

  “Ever heard of watching where you’re going?” Scowling, I pull the soaked material away from my skin before grabbing the white dish towel hanging on the handle of the cabinet. Rubbing the large stain helps absorb some of the moisture and it’s no longer dripping down me when I’m done.

  “It was an accident. I didn’t expect you to be there when I opened the door. You startled me.” Her voice is soft and has a husky quality I find extremely sexy. Throwing the towel down on the counter, I turn around to see if the face and body match the hot tones of her voice. Once my eyes land on the girl standing in front of me, nothing else registers. She’s unbelievably gorgeous and tiny. The top of her head only reaches my chest. Her eyes are the dark gray of a stormy sky and they appear large in her small face - almost too large. Her hair is the color of dark chocolate and falls around her petite frame in long loose curls. When she tucks one side behind her ear some of the strands drape over the top of her chest. I’m tempted to wind the long tresses around my fingers and reel her in for a kiss.

  Her wide eyes meet mine as she nervously bites on her bottom lip. I want to know what her full pink lips would feel like pressed against mine. What would they feel like opening beneath mine, letting my tongue inside to taste her.

  What the fuck is this bullshit? I don’t wax poetic about some chicks looks. If she’s got a banging body, then I bang her and that’s all there is to it. I don’t pay attention to what color her eyes are or notice that her skin is fair and clear. I don’t wonder if her cheeks would flush pink when I make her come for the first time.

  Why am I’m having these thoughts about some random chick?

  “What’s your name honey?” I ask, moving closer. She reminds me of an anime character all wide eyes, wild hair and a sexy little pout for a mouth. Jesus. She’s making me have a fucking semi right now.

  “Harlow.” It’s only one word, but it sends shivers down my spine like someone scratching my back.

  I lean in. “Well Harlow, now that you got my shirt all wet, what do you say you and me go back to my place? You can help me get out of this one.” I wink at her and wait for the smile to appear on her face. The one that says I know what you really want and I want that too. Let’s go fuck like rabbits on crack.

  That’s not the reaction I get from Harlow though. Her eyebrows move toward each other and make an adorable little worry wrinkle in the middle of her forehead. She arches her upper body back as far as she can without actually taking a step. Her ability to balance leaning like that is impressive. “I came here with friends. I can’t just leave them.”

  I run the back of my index finger down her cheek. “That’s okay honey. We can go find them and tell them you’re coming with me.”

  She shakes her head. “I don’t even know you.”

  I place my hands on the countertop on either side of her, caging her in. “Are you sure about that honey? Everyone knows who I am. I’m the quarterback for the Terriers.”

  She avoids my gaze and crosses her arms in front of her. “I don’t really follow football.”

  “I guess it’s time you started then.” I tip her chin up with my fingers and flash my irresistible smile.

  She doesn’t smile back. She actually looks annoyed. “I don’t like football or football players. I’m sorry I spilled my drink on you, but I’m not going to make up for your shirt getting a little wet by blowing you back at your apartment,” she huffs.

  “Who said anything about you blowing me? I was thinking more along the lines of fucking you into next week.”

  “Okay this conversation is over. I need to go find my friends.” She pushes on my chest and I take a step back so she can pass by.

  “My name’s Brady Lincoln in case you change your mind. I’m not hard to find.”

  I watch her curvy little ass sway with each step until she’s out of sight. Damn. She’s got some banging curves on her and a fresh little mouth I’d like to keep occupied. I adjust my dick and knock the rest of my drink back.

  Harlow. I like that name. It suits her. I wonder what her last name is. I’m a dumbass for not asking for it, but she took me by surprise. She knocked me off balance a little and girls never do that. I’m not sure I like the unexpected effect she had on me, but I’m definitely intrigued by her. My interest has been piqued.

  I make myself another drink and then head back to the large living room to look for Harlow. I want to find out her last name and where she lives. I’ve never seen her on campus and I’m sure I’d remember if I had. She’s a tempting little package I can’t wait to open.

  My eyes scan around the crowded space searching for her, but I don’t see her anywhere. I lean my back against the wall and sip on my drink, disappointed I can’t find her. I was looking forward to talking to her some more. I know I could’ve convinced her to come home with me if I had a few more minutes to lay some of the Lincoln charm on her.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to all the people who’ve supported me, whether you’ve purchased on of my books, shared my teasers or even just liked one of my posts; I’m grateful.

  Diane Hamilton, it’s impossible to thank you for all that you do for me and I’m sure I don’t even realize half of it. You’re an awesome PA and I’m thankful I have you with me every day, but you’re also an amazing friend to me. I value your opinion and I don’t know if I’ve ever met a more giving person than you.

  Logan Chance, this past year has been a crazy ride and I’m glad we’ve done this together. Thanks for always having my back. I’m looking forward to releasing our book, Ransom on March 23, 2017.

  Viv Freeman, thank you for editing DELUDE. You always seem to know what to do to make my books be the best they can be. Thank you for all the work you do with Chance Promotions. You don’t know the meaning of the word procrastinate. You get more done each day than should be possible. It makes me feel like a slacker.

  I value your friendship and our mutual love for McDonald’s that no one seems to understand.

  Laura Martinez, my proofreader. Hawkeye’s Proofreading always makes time for my books a
nd I appreciate that. Thank you for all your help with Lana’s POV chapters. I couldn’t have gotten the technical parts down without you.

  I value your friendship and your appreciation for how awesome The Walking Dead is and all my favorite Sci-fi shows.

  Paula Dawn thank you for content editing DELUDE. You always do a great job picking out the areas where I need to add more details. I appreciate the time you take working on my books.

  Thank you to Jessica Hildreth, my cover designer. You do such a great job on my covers and teasers. Thank you for being so easy to work with.

  Thank you to my beta readers – Cara, Viv, Laura, Donna E, Dawn Nicole, Angela and Rachel. Thank you for reading DELUDE. Your input was great and appreciated.

  Thank you to my street team The Chance Takers – Jacob. You ladies are all amazing. It means so much that you take the time out of your lives each day to promote my books. I can’t thank you enough. Thank you to Diane and Viv for running the street team. You guys do an amazing job.

  Thank you to all the members of Spoiled by Chance for your support and encouragement.

  Thank you to all the members of Brothers Chance Playroom for your support and laughs.

  Thanks to Misty for your help with Chance Promotions

  Denielle Hope, thank you for all the things you do to help me out. I appreciate it.

  Thank you to all the blogs and groups who’ve shared my books and supported me. Without you, no one would know about my books. You all work hard to get the word out for authors like me and you get so little return. I appreciate you all and thank you for all you do.