The Same Side (University Park #2) (12 page)

“Thanks.”

“So, do you go to school here?” He leaned against the counter and I noted his tight jeans and cowboy boots. Cowboys had never really caught my attention, but this one was damn hot.

“Yes, I’m a senior.”

“Really?” His head retracted. “How come I’ve never seen you around?”

I shrugged. “I guess because I was one of those girls that focused on her school work.”

“Oh, I see. And what kind of girl are you now?”

Holding on to my lower lip, I contemplated how to respond. Brian was definitely hitting on me. “One that wants to have a good time.” My answer escaped from my mouth with ease.

His baby blue eyes lit up and my warning light came on. I ignored it, my curiosity getting the best of me. I was a free woman and I wasn’t doing anything wrong, right?

“Well, I can sure show you a good time.” He leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, “If you’ll let me.”

Oh hell.

“Do you want to dance?” I took a sip of my drink and felt myself melting away with all that it promised.

“Sure.” He grabbed my hand and led us to the living room.

It was still crammed with sweaty people dancing, but I managed to spot Delaney dancing with Amber and Shelby. I dragged Brian to where they were and started gyrating my hips to the beat. He had a quirky bounce when he moved, but I didn’t mind. I was eager to have a good time and get to know him.

“Lexi!” Delaney shrieked as she threw her arm around me. “Selfie time.” She snapped a shot of us and continued taking pictures with everyone. I quickly reminded her not to post them on Facebook. She assured me that she wouldn’t.

“Where’s Luke?” I hadn’t thought to ask what she had told my brother.

Moving to the beat of the music, she shrugged. “He totally thinks I’m home with my parents.”

“I know he’s you’re brother, but what a dumb ass.” Shelby leaned between us and Delaney snapped another picture. “Like this girl would miss this party.”

“Leave Luke alone,” Delaney pouted. “He’s my dumb ass.”

I shook my head, feeling somewhat bad that I had asked Delaney to lie to my brother. It was my fault that she was there. I just hoped he didn’t find out.

One hour and two more drinks later, Brian and I were still hanging out. I made a conscious effort to pace myself. I didn’t want to get stupid drunk like Delaney had, but I also wanted to party. So far, the end of my fall semester didn’t seem that bad. Determined to make the most of it, I contemplated how far I would allow things to go between Brian and me.

Brian chatted about his family’s real estate business and I tried my best to act interested. The more he talked, the more I realized I had nothing in common with him. But I didn’t care. I was there to have a good time and if Brian was willing to show me that, I’d take it.

As I feigned an attentive laugh, I noticed Raven sitting on stool surrounded by a mob of women. I elbowed Delaney but she was too busy chatting with a group of people. They were laughing and flirting with him. If I had to guess, he had probably drenched his body in his trap-catching cologne. The more I tried not to stare, the more I did. I wanted to be the one that was flirting with him, not them.

“Excuse me, Brian. I need to go the bathroom.”

“Yeah, sure. It’s down the hall and on the right.” He pointed me in the right direction.

“Come with me.” I grabbed Delaney and pulled her through the crowd, trying to keep a low profile. The last thing I wanted was Raven to see us.

“Is everything okay?”

“Raven’s here.”

“Where?”

“Over there.” I pointed, keeping my finger close to me. “Who the hell are all those women around him? They don’t even look like they’re in college.” I eased around the post in the hallway, trying to catch a better glimpse of the sex-starved banshees parading themselves around him.

“That’s because they probably aren’t.” Delaney yanked on my hand. “Come on, I have to pee and the line is probably long.”

“Go ahead.” I pushed her hand away. “I want to hear what they’re saying. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Fine.” She trotted off and I moved closer, eager to listen in on their conversation. He had a big smile on his face and I felt that familiar rush hit my veins. Clenching my teeth tightly, I forced my mind to forget all the good times I had had with him. But like a magnet, I felt my body being pulled in his direction.

Shit, I was still a victim hung up in his trap!

But it was a trap I didn’t mind wrapping myself in.

“Iris. I can’t do that.” He grinned and gave a slight shake of his head.

“Oh yes, you can,” she said with a Spanish accent as she flipped her long, black hair.

Bitch,
I huffed under my breath as I waited to see what else he would say.

“Well, if you can’t do that with her, then what about me?” I rose on the tips of my toes, trying to catch a better glimpse. A lady with blondish-red hair pawed at Raven’s chest.

These damn women have no shame.

“How about you just take all of us?” A girl with short, dark hair adjusted her boobs and I nearly choked on my gum.

“I’ve never had five women in one night.” Raven pressed his hands against his thighs and leaned forward. “But I can try.”

“Hell, baby, you don’t have to do anything. We’ll do all the work for you. All you need to do is just lay there,” the next woman said, eyeing him like she was ready to attack him.

I covered my face with my hands and then ran my fingers through my hair. Why did I have to fall for this guy? Raven was right, he wasn’t good for me. Being with him only spelled disaster, but that only made me want to be with him more. I tucked my hair behind my ears and inhaled deeply. I had to get my shit together. I took off down the hall toward the bathroom. Delaney was next in line and I cut in front of her.

“So, what happened?”

“Those damn women are like freaking vampires.” I tried to displace the words that were exchanged, but they rang loudly. “Ready to suck his blood.”

Delaney snickered. “I doubt they want to suck his blood. More like his dick.”

I squeezed by eyes shut, trying to avoid the visual. Raven was not right for me. I didn’t want to be with a guy that had threesomes, let alone fivesomes. I just wanted to be with a guy that gave me attention and showed me affection. I thought Raven was that guy. Apparently, he wasn’t. But, I wanted him to be.

Badly.

“Shit, I need another drink.”

“Here, drink this.” Delaney shoved her cup in my hand and I downed it.

“Holy shit, that was strong. What was that?”

Delaney shrugged. “Hell if I know.”

After a quick bathroom trip, we returned to the living room. I made a conscious effort to ignore Raven and his tramps. I was there to have a good time and I wouldn’t allow him to ruin it for me. He didn’t want to be with me. It sucked, but I had to move on.

The room tilted but I managed to maintain my footing, claiming the floor with each step I took. Shelby and Amber were dancing on top of a coffee table, motioning for us to join them. Feeling the effects of the alcohol, I joined in. Shelby handed me her drink and I down it, tossing the cup behind him. I froze when I felt her embrace me from behind. After several awkward seconds, I finally gave in against my better judgment and moved along with her. She grinded on me, running her hands all over my body. I had never dirty danced with a girl before — or a guy, for that matter — but I kind of liked it. It made me feel sexy and promiscuous. Brian quickly spotted me and joined in the freak show.

I felt so brave, so free. I shimmied against his body, going up and down his tight and taunt form to the beat of the music. He turned me around and pressed his body against mine, humping me from behind. My heart started beating faster and I realized that he was actually turning me on. I rubbed my butt along his crotch, feeling his hardness through his jeans. Not holding back, I did a little twerking action. He immediately grasped and squeezed my thighs, inching my dress up.

As I danced without shame to the beat of music, I realized that I definitely had one less problem without Raven, just like the song said. But as Brian ran his hands all over me, I wished that it were Raven feeling me up instead. I reminded myself that I was the wiser one but it was no use. No matter how much I wanted to hate him, I couldn’t.

I wanted him.

I had to have him.

And I was willing to forget about everything to be with him.

Raven looked up and caught my gaze. I froze with my arms in mid-air while Brian continued to grind on me. In one swift move, he pushed through his groupies and headed toward me. Before I could think of what I to do, Raven grabbed me and pulled me off the table.

“Put me down!” I kicked and screamed.

“Hey!” Brian yelled. He jumped off the table and started to come after me, but stopped when he did a double take. I guess he didn’t want to mess with Raven. I’m not sure many guys were willing to take on the university’s star quarterback unless they enjoyed receiving death threats.

“Stop, Lexi!” Hoisting me over his shoulder, he carried me outside, barreling through the groves of drunkards. I could hear people yelling and chanting as if Raven had gotten his prized possession. The old Lexi would have died at the thought of what people might have been thinking, but part of me wanted every girl in that party to know that he was taking me.

“Put me down, Raven.” I pounded on his back, trying to wiggle my way out of his binding grip.

He darted out the front door and down the steps, not stopping for anyone. Once we were outside, he set me down on the front lawn. I stumbled back, hitting a tree. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he huffed, trying to catch his breath.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I could feel my blood boiling despite the cold air that hit me. “I was dancing. Is that a crime?”

He blinked his eyes a few times, obviously having difficulty processing what I had said. “You were practically having sex with that guy.”

“What?” I gasped, clutching my hand to my chest. “No, I wasn’t.” My head began to spin and I suddenly felt the alcohol take over with a vengeance.

“I was watching you the whole time. I saw what you were doing with him.”

“You were watching me?” I tried to focus on him but my eyes were dancing all over the place, making it difficult to see straight.

He took a step back and stared at the ground for a moment. “Why are you here, Lexi? You shouldn’t be at this party.” His eyes narrowed and I struggled to stand.

Everything turned around me, spinning in slow motion. I leaned against the tree for support and tried to focus on Raven. “Why not? I’m a student at this school. Not like those hoes that were all over you.” I pointed to the house and nearly tipped over, catching myself before he could intervene.

“Shit.” He kicked the dirt. “You’re fucking drunk.”

“And?” I smiled, realizing that I could mark one thing off my list. “Besides, what do you care?”

“This isn’t you, Lexi.” He took a step closer and I pressed up against the tree. The air suddenly turned hot and my cheeks flushed. “I know you, you’re not acting like yourself.”

“Whatever. Now, if you’ll excuse me. There’s a party that’s waiting on me.” I placed my hand on his chest and tried to push him out of the way, but he wrapped his hand around my wrist and pulled me into him. My chest slammed against his and even though my body liked it, I fought it.

“Let me go, Raven,” I snapped.

“No.” He scooped me up in his arms and I was defenseless once again. “I’m taking you home. Now.”

Σ

Chapter 8

I started to protest but stopped when I realized how much I missed being in Raven’s arms. He delivered a comfort and security that warmed every part of me and fastened every loose end. The more I told myself not to fall for it, the harder I fell. Every force of nature led my heart straight to his and I hoped he wouldn’t destroy it like he said he would.

“You can put me down,” I said, gazing up at him. “I promise I’ll let you take me home.” I mean, how lucky could I get? Raven wanted to take me home. Every woman at that party would have died for the opportunity, why fight it?

“Are you sure you’re not going to run off?” He stopped in the middle of the street. His eyes drilled into mine and excitement shot through my veins. I wanted to kiss him so bad. Make him regret that he said he couldn’t be with me. But I was afraid of how he might react. Restraining myself, I nodded. Slowly, he lowered me to my feet but kept me enveloped in his arms. “Can you walk?”

My heart felt like it was stuck on a spinning ride while my brain demanded it to stop. The conflicting war within me made it hard to concentrate. Being drunk wasn’t as fun as I thought it would be. I had gone past my limit and I hoped I wouldn’t pay for it later.

I tilted my head to the side and gave him an impish grin. “As long as you help me.”

With one arm wrapped tightly around me, he led us down the street to his car. He opened the door and helped me get in. I rested my head against the seat and closed my eyes. My ears were ringing and my heart was going ninety miles an hour.