Tease Read online

  “Hey, man,” the guy beside me inserted, reaching across the bar to grab the shot glass and bring it back in front of me. “She can make up her own mind.” He lifted the glass up for me to take.

  I smiled sweetly at him. “Thank you, Chad.”

  Shaw leaned slightly forward, bringing himself eye level with Chad. “Get your hand out of her face before I break it.”

  Chad slammed the glass back down on the bar and surged to his feet, squaring off in front of Shaw. “C’mon, motherfucker,” he challenged, which really sounded kind of ridiculous coming from him in his powder blue polo. “You want to mess with me?”

  Shaw sighed heavily and closed a hand around my arm like Chad had not called him an ugly name. Any other guy would have lost his cool.

  “Let’s go, Emerson,” he stated, clearly unthreatened.

  Even though I resisted the idea of him deciding when it was time for me to go home, I really didn’t relish the idea of starting a fight in the middle of a bar. Thanks to Chad, people were already watching us. From the corner of my eye, I could see Reece pushing his way through the crowd toward us, Pepper and Suzanne fast behind. I didn’t want to get my friends involved in a fight either. What if one of them got hurt?

  Besides. I nodded and slid off my stool. I wasn’t one of those girls who got her rocks off on two guys fighting over her.

  Though Shaw wasn’t really fighting over me. He was just doing what he thought he had to because I was Reece’s friend. Because he was Reece’s friend. He was a Marine. He probably thought it was his mission to save the world. One drunk girl at a time.

  I let him pull me from the bar. We had only walked away two steps when Chad clamped a hand on my arm and yanked me back.

  “She doesn’t want to go—”

  Shaw moved so fast then I didn’t even process it until it was over. Until Chad was on the ground. In one smooth, ninja-fast motion, Shaw popped him in the mouth.

  Chad went down, his hands cupping his face. I gaped and started to crouch down to help him when Shaw grabbed my hand and hauled me after him. “C’mon.” We passed my friends. Shaw nodded once at Reece. “I’m taking her home.”

  Reece nodded in silent understanding. Pepper gaped and looked ready to say something, maybe protest on my behalf, but Reece turned and led her and an equally shocked Suzanne away.

  I tugged on his hand. “Are you crazy? You just hit that guy—”

  “He had it coming.” His fingers tightened around mine as he pulled me out the back exit and into the parking lot. The music died to a heavy throb on the frigid air. My ears rang from hours inside the decibel-shattering din.

  “How’s that? He was trying to protect me from you—”

  Shaw swung around, his eyes blazing. “Get a fucking clue, Emerson. He was standing near our table the whole time you were on the dance floor.”

  I pulled my hand free with a violent yank. “So?”

  “He was telling his buddies and anyone standing nearby all the dirty things he was going to do to you.”

  I blinked and swallowed, pushing down my disgust that some strange guy had been talking trash about me before he even approached me at the bar. That was no shock. I knew just what kind of guy he was the minute he opened his mouth. I was more bothered by Shaw “rescuing” me. What made him think I needed rescuing? I could handle myself. I had been doing it forever.

  “Oh, aren’t you the noble knight,” I mocked. “News flash. I didn’t need your help back there.”

  “Sure as hell looked like it to me.”

  What? Did he think I was going to let that guy take me home and act out all his perverse fantasies on me? The very idea that he thought that way of me only made me angrier. Contrary to what all of Dartford thought, I wasn’t a slut.

  But isn’t that what you want people to think? That you’re tougher, stronger, more experienced? I can’t be offended that they all believe the image I created. Including Shaw.

  I took a deep breath and reached for my composure. Determined to not let Shaw rattle me, I shrugged. “So he was talking shit. Like guys don’t do that.”

  “Not to you,” he growled. “You might not think you deserve more respect than that, but I do. You deserve better.”

  Stunned, I couldn’t think of anything to say.

  Reclaiming my hand, he resumed hauling me through the parking lot, weaving us through the cars. My mind reeled. What was that supposed to mean? He thought I deserved better? Like what? I wasn’t Pepper or Georgia or Suzanne. I wasn’t a nice girl looking for a fairy-tale ending. That wasn’t in the cards for me.

  I lifted my face and inhaled the biting-cold air, trying desperately to cool the heat firing my cheeks as he led me toward his truck.

  “Contrary to what you think,” I got out, staring at his back, “I don’t need rescuing.”

  He laughed harshly then. We were almost to his truck. I spotted it through the cars. Without breaking stride, he tossed over his shoulder, “You, sweetheart, need rescuing in the worst way.”

  I stared at his back, wanting to hit something. Him.

  He led me to the passenger side and yanked open the door. Jerking his head, he snapped at me, “Get in.”

  Neanderthal. I crossed my arms over my chest, not budging. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’ve survived just fine for almost twenty-one years before you came along.”

  His gaze flicked over me and that glint of scorn was back in his eyes. “That’s debatable.”

  I flinched. It was as if he saw right into me . . . saw that I was a girl hanging on by a thread. How did he know that about me? How could he read when I managed to fool everyone else?

  Again, I felt judged. Like he somehow found me lacking—which I knew was in direct opposition to what he had just said, that I deserved better. But that summed up how he made me feel. Confused. Lost. Low one moment and high the next. I didn’t know where I was going with him, which was a definite first. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time, but mostly scary.

  “Get in,” he repeated, his voice hard.

  “I don’t have to do what you say. And I already have a ride home.”

  “Yeah, and they’re having a good time out. Their night shouldn’t end just because of you. So stop being selfish.”

  The truth of that statement flayed me. Which was probably the desired effect. I felt guilty.

  I lifted my chin. “Who said I’d bother them? I’ll find another ride.” Unable to take it anymore—take him—I whirled around. I didn’t make it two steps before he caught me up in his arms.

  That was all it took. I fought, struggling against him. His arms circled and held me prisoner. The memory shouldn’t have flashed before my eyes, but it did. It was there. Inside me, consuming everything. That feeling of helplessness. Of being trapped.

  Wild animal sounds escaped me. I growled and snapped my teeth, actually trying to bite him.

  “Emerson, stop! Emerson!” Still holding me, he carefully lowered me down, setting my feet back on the ground.

  “Easy, Emerson. I won’t hurt you.” His voice faded as he caught sight of my face. Air sawed past my lips as I stared out at him through my wild tangle of hair.

  I felt them then. The hot slide of tears. Shit.

  His arms loosened around me without entirely letting go. Still, it was enough room to move my arms between us. I dashed at my cheeks with shaking hands, feeling like the biggest idiot. I knew I needed to keep my distance from him. From the moment I’d spotted him, he threatened my careful control. And now look at me. I was crying.

  “What? What do you want from me?” I whispered feverishly. “Why are you here . . . why are you doing this to me?”

  Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?

  He loomed over me. So close. Too close. Looking down at me, he shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  Mortified that I was actually crying in front of him, I shoved free with a choked little sound and spun around again, sniffing back tears.

  “Emerson.” He
said my name on a breath that I felt right at my nape. My skin turned to goose flesh. Part of me wanted to turn around but I held myself still.

  His large hands fell on my shoulders and rotated me around. Standing face-to-face again, his hands dropped. He dragged one hand through his dark hair, sending the strands flying briefly before settling back into place. We just stared at each other in a silent communion. It was strange. There were no words, but something was happening, something passing between us. It sounds like a cliché, but I’d never felt anything like it before. Not with any other guy.

  His hands lifted and slid over my tear-soaked cheeks, holding me almost tenderly. He looked troubled. There was no other word for it. “I don’t know what it is you do to me.”

  I do something to him?

  His voice continued, a dark little whisper rushing over my lips. “But I’m not going to fight it anymore.”

  As his warm mouth came down on mine, a jolt that felt like electricity shot through me. Along with that, a thousand thoughts chased through me as his lips pressed to mine, softer and more persuasive than I would have imagined possible from this hard-looking guy.

  I could just step back. I could say one word. No. I could turn and walk back into the bar. He wouldn’t stop me. Not this time. I knew that.

  All of these options presented themselves to me in a single flash, but I took the only option I could. The only one there was.

  I kissed him back.

  Chapter 7

  THE INSTANT I SOFTENED against him, everything changed. His lips went from soft and tender to hard and demanding. From gentle and seeking to needy and desperate.

  And I was right there with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood up on my tiptoes, plastering myself against his chest. I felt a growl rumble up from his chest. He dipped for a second, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me up off my feet.

  I gasped and he took advantage. His tongue swept inside my mouth, tasting me everywhere, stroking my tongue, tracing over my teeth. With every lick of his tongue he pushed me closer to the edge.

  My world jarred with motion and I knew he was walking me somewhere, carrying me like I weighed nothing at all. I didn’t look up. I didn’t care. I buried my hands in his hair and devoured his mouth, his lips, his tongue. I broke away and nibbled down his throat. I caught his earlobe between my teeth and his gasping hiss was my reward.

  He staggered and bumped a vehicle. The sudden peal of a car alarm had us jumping apart. I slid down his hard length, releasing a shaky laugh. I ran a trembling hand down my face, my fingers lingering on my lips.

  His hand joined mine on my face, his eyes glittering at me in the dark. His chest lifted with heavy breaths. He was just as affected as I was and this made me melt even hotter inside.

  What was happening to me? I’d kissed my fair share of boys but I’d never felt anything like this before.

  His husky voice fanned my lips. “I love the sound of your laugh.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “You should do it more.” He took my hand and pulled me after him.

  I followed in silence, my feet moving quickly. This time I didn’t protest as he escorted me to the passenger side. I had a few moments alone inside his truck as he circled around to the driver’s side. I shook my hands wildly in the air in front of me, hoping to release some pent-up energy and calm my racing heart. It didn’t work.

  He opened his door and I tucked my hands under my thighs, trying to appear calm. In the driver’s seat, he gripped the steering wheel and looked over at me. It was all it took. All semblance of calm was lost.

  His hand closed around the back of my neck and hauled me across the seat to him. Our mouths collided. My fingers curled into his shirt, fisting the thermal cotton fabric. His chest felt hard and solid against my fingers. Even that turned me on. Not that his scorching lips didn’t already.

  He kept one hand at the back of my neck, tugging me closer as his other hand dipped to my ass, guiding me on top of him. I obliged, straddling him, hungry to get closer, gasping at the hard ridge of his erection rubbing directly between my thighs.

  Voices and laughter penetrated dimly, but I didn’t care. We were in our cozy little world inside his truck, lips locked, bodies melded. Nothing else mattered. I jumped slightly as a fist bumped our window. “Get a room!” A group hooted with laughter as they walked past, presumably on their way to their car.

  I pulled back with a sharp breath and stared down at him. Everything about him left me feeling dazed and stunned. His eyes gleamed up at me in the darkened cab. His hand slid from my neck, fingers threading through my hair, holding the strands back from my face.

  He was mind-numbingly hot, but it was more than that. It was in his eyes, the intense way that he looked at me. Nothing about this was familiar. Nothing about the way we were with each other was like anything I had experienced. I was not in control. Of him. Or me.

  “This is crazy,” I whispered.

  He stared at me for a long moment, still holding the hair back from my face. The pulse of his palm beat against my cheek, in rhythm with my own racing heart, and it was as if I felt his life entwined with mine. Fanciful, crazy thought, but there it was.

  His hand on my backside tightened and he dragged me closer until I felt the hard bulge of him directly between my legs. It made me gasp, but I didn’t pull back. In fact, I closed my eyes and arched my throat, letting myself sink against that delicious hardness.

  “Where do you live?” His voice sounded hoarse and I recognized the feral sound for what it was. Need. For me. I guess I wasn’t so resistible after all. This sent deep female satisfaction pumping through me.

  I gave him the address and crawled off his lap. He started the engine and turned on the wipers, clearing the thin sheet of snow. The side windows were fogged and I knew we were responsible for that. I hadn’t even noticed how cold it was while I was in his arms.

  We slid each other long glances as he followed my directions and drove to my building. It was a shorter drive than last time, but still long enough for me to think. For my breathing to calm. For his hot glances to make me even more nervous. When he was kissing me it was impossible to think. Impossible to feel nervous. But now I could.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out.

  Pepper: U ok?

  Me: Yes. Headed home

  Pepper: Ok. Have fun

  Me: Thx

  Have fun? Did she think I was having wild monkey sex with Shaw? He was Reece’s friend. She was probably matchmaking in her head, plotting a slew of double dates.

  By the time we reached campus, I knew what I had to do. I knew I had to say good-bye and make a break for it. Before this got any crazier and out of control.

  “You can just drop me off right there.” I motioned to the front of my building. If that wasn’t clue enough that I was calling it a night, then I didn’t know what was.

  “I’ll take you to your door,” he replied, his voice even and calm. Without argument.

  “Really? You don’t need to do that.” I blinked as he pulled into a parking space.

  He put the truck into park and killed the engine. He turned to face me, one arm sliding along the back of the seat, his fingertips lightly brushing my shoulder. “Five minutes ago we were all over each other. You couldn’t get enough of me. Now it’s like you can’t get away fast enough.”

  I swallowed, unaccustomed to a guy calling me out so directly. “Don’t take it personally. That’s just what I do.”

  He angled his head to study me and the motion reminded me of a predator evaluating its prey right before he devoured it. “What? Show a little interest and then bail? That’s what you do? There’s a word for that, you know.”

  Against my better judgment, I asked, “Yeah? What?”

  “It’s called a cocktease.”

  I flinched. That accusation had been laid at my feet before. A few times. Annie called me that when I would fool around with a guy and then not go all th
e way. Yeah. She sucked. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle a little rejection? Maybe I just don’t want you.”

  “Right.” He grinned like I had just said something amusing, and that annoyed me.

  Before I could respond to that bit of arrogance, he got out of the truck and went around to my side. Still wearing that infernal grin, he opened the door for me. I slid down, careful not to touch him.

  I led the way, punching the code to open the front door. He stepped in after me. “You’re walking me all the way to my door?”

  “Yep.”

  “Fine.” I stopped in front of the elevator and punched the button to my floor. Crossing my arms over my chest, I sent him a guarded glance. “You’re not getting laid.”

  He chuckled. “I’ve never met a girl to go hot to cold so fast.”

  “Yeah, well, you just called me a cocktease. I don’t want you to have false expectations.”

  “Understood.” There was a wealth of laughter laced in that single word.

  The elevator dinged and we stepped off. And came face-to-face with Annie. I hadn’t seen her since she’d ditched me at Maisie’s.

  “Emerson, how’s it going?” she greeted me, looking not the least guilty.

  “Annie,” I returned.

  Her gaze skipped to Shaw, sliding over him appreciatively. “Well, I can see you’re having a good night, Em.” She pulled back her shoulders. It was a move I had seen her do countless times. It thrust out her double Ds. She stepped closer, totally invading his space as she held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Annie and you look familiar.” She wagged her finger at him playfully.

  He stared down at her hand, his face cold, and I knew he remembered her. The fact that he didn’t even accept her hand filled me with satisfaction. His gaze slid over her, but it wasn’t in a way that made me think he liked what he saw. Quite the opposite. That was a definite change. She never had any problem winning over guys. Annie’s smile vanished and she dropped her hand.

  “You look familiar, too,” he replied. “You’re the friend who left Emerson stranded at Maisie’s.” The way he emphasized “friend” made it clear what he thought of her.