Kaylah beams up at me but her response is cut off by her glaring boyfriend. “Get your filthy hands off my girl.”
I smirk at Jesse and pull Kaylah in closer, knowing just how much the prick hates it. Realizing I’m in too much of a good fucking mood and that I’m going to challenge him on every little thing, he lets it go and continues his way through the party with us following behind.
The place is fucking packed. The furniture has been moved to the sides of the room, a keg sits upon the counter, and peoples’ bodies are packed in like sardines.
We’re hardly even through the front door when I start scanning for her. We find Jackson and Elle across the room and start making our way to them after stopping to grab a beer, but where is Bry?
I look back over my shoulder as we say ‘hey’ to Jackson and Elle when I finally find her out through the kitchen window. She stands among the girls, each of them with some ridiculous chick drink in their hands.
As if sensing me, she looks back and it’s fucking everything. The moment those deep blue eyes land on mine, warmth spreads throughout me. Without a doubt, she’s my girl. It’s been months since I’ve laid my eyes on this woman and I figured that the time away from her will dull this need within me, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. If anything, I want her more than ever before.
Desire pools in her eyes and has me ready to get my ass out there and make her mine, only in the space of two seconds, that desire morphs into something else; terror.
My brows furrow as I watch her and realize that she’s scared. She doesn’t want me near her and she doesn’t want to fall into that same repetitive trap. This is her warning to stay away and it absolutely guts me, but she should know by now that I’m not one for playing by the rules.
I raise my chin, ignoring her warning as a wide smile spreads over my face. I watch her go to mush and my stomach twists. I absolutely love her reactions to me, but it’s nothing in comparison to when I actually get to touch her. Though one thing is startlingly clear, you don’t look at someone and light up this way if you don’t have some sort of feelings for them, right?
Brylee is mine, it’s as clear as the sky is blue, but convincing her of that is something else entirely.
I hang out with the boys, giving her the space that she thinks she needs, yet I find it impossible to take my eyes off her. She does her best to pretend that I don’t exist, but every time her eyes meet mine across the room, she lights up like the most spectacular display of fireworks. It’s like an epic game of cat and mouse and I quickly realize that despite the countess parties Jesse and I have been to and had over the past year, this is by far my favorite.
She’s keeping her distance on purpose and it’s damn obvious that she won’t be making her way to me anytime soon. I’m more than happy to wait her out, knowing that at some point, she’ll drink enough and forget all the reasons why she’s trying to keep away, but I’d prefer her to have a clear mind.
To wait or to take a fucking shot? Yeah…I’m done waiting.
The second I take a step in Brylee’s direction; her eyes widen and her head whips back around to her friends. I grin as I watch her dancing and swaying that sexy body to the music, silently hoping that I’m not coming her way.
Tora’s already dancing with Nate and Puck’s tongue is down Courtney’s throat. Brooke is in her own world leaving Brylee wide open. As I make my way out back, girls start pulling at my chest yet I push them off. I don’t get anywhere near the same kind of rush with random chicks that I get with Brylee. With her, it’s intense, every touch, every whisper, it’s like our bodies are on fire, but with other girls, it’s just something to dull the ache while I wait for Brylee to come around.
I’m no fool. I know that it may never happen, but I’d be an idiot not to give it another shot. The only question is, how many shots do I need to give before I realize that she’ll never cave? Either way, it’ll all be worth it just to feel her burning skin beneath mine.
I step in behind her, pressing my chest right up against her back as I take her hips. I wasn’t fucking wrong, her skin burns with my touch and it’s the most intoxicating thing I’ve ever experienced. How have I gone so many months without her touch?
Brylee’s back straightens and I lean into her, skimming my lips over her neck. “Relax.”
“What do you think you’re doing?” she questions, though she doesn’t attempt to step out of my hold.
“Just say the word, Freckles, and I’ll go.”
Brylee turns in my arms and her hands fall to my chest as she looks up at me. “You know I can’t do that.” I grin down at her, taking in those beautiful eyes up close. “You need to stay away.”
I shake my head, physically unable to look away. “You know I can’t do that, Bry.”
“Tyson,” she sighs, filled with regret, clearly not wanting to have to tell me ‘no’ again.
“It’s a party, baby. Just dance with me.”
She watches me for a moment longer, deep in thought before a sparkle appears in her eyes. She drops her gaze to my lips for the briefest second before she begins raising up onto her tippy toes. My hands at her hips slide around her waist until I’m holding her close with her tight little body pressed up against mine.
I breathe her in. She’s fucking everything.
Desire floods in her eyes as her lips hover just in front of mine. I’d give anything to close the distance and feel her lips on mine again.
She leans in, finally being the one to make the move. Brylee’s eyes flick up to mine for a beat before she grins. “Don’t make me regret this.”
With that, she drops away and spins in my arms until her back is firmly pressed against my chest again.
Well, fuck me. A deprived groan pulls from deep within me. So fucking close. I should have just closed the gap when I had the chance.
Brylee laughs as she begins swaying to the music and despite knowing I’ll be ending the night with an intense case of blue balls, I wouldn’t pass this up for anything.
The hours pass and not once does Bry move from my side, always smiling up at me with that look in her eyes, telling me she wants so much more, but the second I give her the chance to take it, she backs the fuck off, leaving me as confused as ever.
Tora and Brooke disappear while the boys fuck around and get drunk with their girls. It’s the best fucking night of the year so far and it’s all because of this beauty standing right next to me. I don’t get it, though, if she didn’t want to be with me, why the hell does she keep giving me this false hope?
It’s past 4 am when the last person staggers out the door with heavy eyes. Jesse fucked off ages ago with Kaylah. I have no idea what happened to Puck and Courtney but it probably has something to do with screwing in the back of his Escalade. Nate? Most likely already asleep in Tora’s bed. Elle got sick on Tequila shots and was throwing up in the garden with Jackson so I wouldn’t be surprised if he carried her home. Leaving Maxen who is most likely at home, crying about his failed attempts to get back with Brooke. I guess we’re all fucked up in our own ways.
Tora and Brooke’s house is a mess and I cringe at the thought of them having to clean it up in the morning, though knowing Brooke, she’ll probably just hire someone to do it. Brylee spins around the kitchen, dancing to the music that still plays lowly as background noise.