The Need Boxset

by K. I. Lynn

  Fucker.

  “Is Austin going?” I can hear his anger through the barrier between us.

  “Why do you care?” I shuffle through my dresser for a bra, wanting to get out of this strapless.

  “You know why.”

  I roll my eyes, then move to my closet. “He lives down the street, so I’m sure he’ll be there.”

  “Did you invite him?”

  I already picked out an outfit for tonight, but his presence has me all over the place.

  “Not directly.” My fingers work the clasp of the strapless and it falls to the floor. I peek out the door. “Everyone will be there. Ryan said he’s going.”

  “I know.” His voice sounds strained, but I think I just gave him some side-boob view, maybe even some nip.

  Am I trying to tease him? Always.

  Suffer, asshole.

  “Are you going?” Damn curiosity.

  “Yes.”

  I pull the dress I picked out over my head. “Why?”

  “Because you are.”

  His answer irks me and gives me the damn happy vibes.

  “This is the year-end graduation party. The biggest party of the year. Don’t expect me to pay you any attention at all.”

  “Wow. When did I become the clinger?”

  “When you started stalking me.” I throw a flip-flop at the door.

  He chuckles. “It’s not stalking if I love you.”

  I know he’s quoting some meme floating around the Internet, but fuck . . . those words. They stop me in my tracks, which is bent over as I slip on my shoes.

  I stomp back over to the door and peek through. “Don’t start that crap up again. You had your fun. It’s my turn now.”

  His mouth pops open, anger flaring in his eyes, then it’s suddenly gone. “You’re right.”

  The words “I am?” almost slip from my lips. It’s such a departure from the norm that my whole system is in shock, leaving me to stare at him, wordless.

  “I’m a jealous asshole. I know. I can’t stand the thought of anyone touching you, most of all Austin.”

  I close the door and walk over to my dresser to pick up some bracelets and my wristlet, then throw open the door. His eyes go wide, running up and down my body, setting my skin on fire. “Well freaking get used to it, because you have no say in any part of my life.” I push him aside.

  Before I can scoot by, Brayden grabs my wrist. The calm demeanor he’s mastered all day is gone, replaced by a fury that almost makes him look like a maniac.

  “I’ll walk with you.” The party is only a few blocks away.

  I wrench my arm free. “Walk by yourself.”

  I make sure to push him hard on my way out, giving me time to race ahead and down the stairs.

  My heart hammers against my ribs as I stomp off down the street. The party isn’t too far, and I plan to drink, so heels be damned, I’m walking. It also helps give me a Brayden breather and time to calm down.

  The block is already parked up with cars when I arrive, and I can’t wait to find my girls. I pull out my phone to check a text I got on my way from Jenna, hoping she’s already here.

  Sam IS well endowed. See you . . . sometime. lol!

  A smile spreads on my face, and I shake my head. Looks like Jenna is getting exactly what she wanted for graduation.

  I wave to some people I know who are hanging out on the lawn as I walk in. The music is loud, thumping all over the whole-house speaker system. There’s no view of Ashley or Marilyn, so I head toward the kitchen where the drink of the day is undoubtedly being served.

  After dealing with Brayden before I left, I need a drink. Something strong to erase the tingling I can still feel from where he touched me.

  It’s still pretty early, but the place has a ton of people, forcing me to weave through and giving the drink hand gesture to a few friends trying to pull me over. Before I can turn back around I slam into someone, my hands out, stopping on a belt.

  “Hi, Kira.”

  I crane my head back to look up at my tallest friend, reigning in at six foot eight. “Hey, Thomas.”

  If basketball doesn’t work out for him, he’s got brains to fall back on. That, and classic farm-boy good looks.

  “How are you?”

  “Not bad. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

  We were lab partners back in chemistry, and he’s helped me out more than once when calculus tried to kill me.

  He chuckles. “Since Tuesday?”

  I shrug. “Hey, in high school terms, that is forever.”

  “Glad to be missed.”

  “Yeah, well, soon you’ll be some bigshot at IU and you’ll forget all about me.”

  “I’m not so sure about that,” he says. “Are you excited about college?”

  “Definitely. You?”

  “It’s gonna be hard, the practice schedule is intense, but I get to play for Indiana University.”

  “That’s awesome.” I smile up at him, genuinely happy and excited for him.

  “Too bad you won’t be there.”

  “OSU calls,” I say with a shrug. “And I’m stoked that Ryan transferred and will be there.”

  Thomas’s eyes dart around. “Is he here?”

  I shake my head. “Not yet. That I’ve seen, at least.”

  He blows out a breath. “Cool.”

  “Why cool?”

  His eyes go wide. “Oh . . . N-no reason.”

  I quirk my brow at him. “Tell me.”

  “It’s just . . . I’m talking to you, and the guy is scary protective of you.”

  Ah, I get it now. The Austin incident.

  Jerk is always getting in my way.

  “Are the rumors that bad?”

  He lets out a nervous chuckle. “He always kept guys away from you, him and Brayden Hunt, but that was next level when he attacked Austin.”

  I purse my lips. “Yeah, it was.”

  “Ever since then, it’s been kinda hard to work up the courage to ask you out.”

  I blink up at him. “What?”

  He smiles and ducks his head. “You’re not with Austin, I hear. Can . . . can I take you out sometime?”

  I stare back at him in shock. I like Thomas, and I can totally see him being a great boyfriend, but I’ve never thought of him that way.

  Probably Brayden’s fault. I’m sure I can probably blame him for just about everything for the past few years.

  “No,” I whisper, hating that I’m turning a great guy down. “I’m sorry. I’m a mess right now.”

  His expression falls and he swallows hard. “Too late, then.”

  “Or too early.” I smile up at him. “If things were different, I would say yes.”

  He chuckles. “Thanks for the pity yes.”

  “Hey, it’s not like that. I like you, but . . .”

  “It’s complicated?”

  “Extremely.”

  “Well, if things become uncomplicated, give me a call,” he says as he backs away with a wave.

  Turning down a guy with so many good points? I must be insane.

  I take a left to the kitchen, suddenly bummed. What would it be like to date a nice guy like that? To not have two fuckers being a pain in my ass?

  Maybe I should become a nun.

  The counters are covered with red Solo cups and what looks like an entire liquor store worth of booze. Then there’s the keg in the middle of the room.

  Perusing the display of bottles, I spot a familiar label and twist the top off.

  Mmm, raspberry-flavored vodka.

  “What did he want?”

  I jump, the bottle slipping from my lips, vodka spilling down my chin. “Shit!”

  Austin steps in front of me, offering up his shirt.

  “You scared me,” I say, wiping my chin off.

  He gives me that sexy smile of his. The one that should turn me into a puddle of goo, but as usual, it’s only mild excitement.

  “You’re cute when you’re scared.” He looks down at my bot
tle. “What are you drinking?”

  I blink at him, then look down. “Vodka.”

  “Starting with the heavy stuff, huh?”

  I shrug in response and take a few gulps. It burns the whole way down, making my body involuntarily shudder from the strength.

  “You know, if you’re doing that so you can seduce me, you don’t have to. I’m ready, willing, and available for you.”

  I start to laugh, almost at ease with his flirtation attempt, then I remember what happened and stop.

  “Me and every other female.”

  He cringes. “Ouch.”

  Did that sting? Good.

  “You know if I could go back, I never would have—”

  “Fucked that slut?” I’m laying it all out, tired of all the bullshit.

  “That’s not it.”

  “What is it, then? Because I’m still pissed, Austin.”

  “I never would have let you push me away. Then I never would have . . .”

  His admission softens me. I know it’s Brayden and his past with her that makes me hate her so much. “I just can’t stand that of all people, why her? Jennifer’s fucked half the school. Who knows what diseases she’s carrying.”

  “Excuse me? What the fuck are you saying about me?” Jennifer asks as she steps forward.

  It’s then I realize we’ve gained a few prying eyes and ears, including slutty herself.

  I take another swig of the open bottle in my hand. “I was talking about how you’ve ruined the pool of available guys in the area.”

  Her blue eyes are wide, jaw tight. “Who are you to judge me? What makes you so special, Kira?”

  “I don’t fuck every guy in a ten-mile radius.”

  “No, you’re a cock tease who has them running to me when you won’t put out.”

  My eyes go wide and I step forward, practically snarling. “You are so disgusting! Is that how you’re going to go through life? On your back?”

  “Not just on my back, but on my knees, too. Not that little Miss Priss would know anything about that.”

  “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “And you know shit about me. So, stop running your prude mouth. Stuff a dick in there, and maybe you’ll see the fun in it.”

  “Fuck you!”

  She lifts the hem of her skirt and slaps her pussy. “Go for it, bitch! This pussy knows how to satisfy a man. Maybe that’s why guys run from you to me.”

  I snap, lunging forward, my fingers clenched tight around the bottle, ready to smash it into her skull.

  The bottle misses as Austin pushes Jennifer back, and I’m yanked away. An arm wraps around my waist, lifting me up into the air.

  “Let me go!”

  I turn back to find Brayden’s green eyes as he drags me away.

  “What is your malfunction? I said, let me go!”

  Her nails dig into my arm as I pull her through two rooms and out the back door. She doesn’t weigh much, but her flailing legs kicking around as she tries to break free make it tough to hold on.

  There are a few people out on the deck who scurry away as we exit the house.

  I set her back on the ground, and she sways, regaining her balance on her sexy-ass heels. They match her sexy-ass dress, and I want to fucking drag her away.

  “Calm down.”

  She scowls at me. “What the fuck? Couldn’t stand to see your fuck doll get hit?”

  “It looked more like you wanted to kill her, especially with that bottle.” I point down to the bottle, which is in her death grip.

  She shifts her weight from foot to foot, jaw locked tight.

  “What is it about her?”

  “That was about you. I can buy you sexy lingerie, but I don’t have enough for bail.”

  “That’s laughable.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re my devil, not my knight in shining armor.”

  My jaw ticks, and I try not to cringe at the sting of her words. “Kira, I love you. I’m always going to protect you, even when it’s from yourself.”

  She stares at me for a moment, then takes a swig from the bottle. “I don’t want that.”

  “Tough. Now, hand over the bottle.” I hold out my hand expectantly.

  Her eyes narrow, and she steps back. “Fuck you.”

  “I’m not telling you not to drink, just pace yourself. Give me the bottle and sip on a beer.”

  She lets out a sigh and holds it out. “In exchange, you leave me the hell alone tonight.”

  I snatch it from her, glancing down at the label. “For a while.” Vodka. She was sucking down vodka like it was water.

  “All night.” She jabs a finger into my chest. “This is my night. Don’t ruin it.”

  “I’ll have my eye on you. No more starting fights.”

  She crosses her arms over her chest and stalks past. I don’t miss the whispered “asshole” as she goes.

  My gaze stays fixed on her, watching her as she gets a beer, and her friends, Ashley and Marilyn, come up behind her. Hopefully they can help contain any more explosions.

  I twist off the top and take a long pull from the bottle. It burns all the way down as I slump into one of the deck chairs.

  Kira has never liked Jenn, but I didn’t know it was so deep. If I’d arrived a few seconds later . . . She was just lashing out, but the bottle is thick glass, and heavy with liquid.

  I stare at the bottle before taking another drink.

  Austin dug up old wounds I’d created in Kira when he did Jenn. That night I royally fucked up. But there’s a chance she’ll forgive him for a one-time slipup.

  I stand back up, setting the vodka on the table, and take my own advice as I head in for a beer.

  For two hours I catch up with old friends, but never far from Kira.

  Jenn tries to get my attention a few times, but I brush her off. She’s just after sex, but there’s only one pussy for me.

  A movement of auburn catches my eye and I look over to Kira, who’s at baby giraffe status on those fucking sexy heels of hers. Her girls insisted on a couple of celebration shots, and now she’s tipsy.

  Panic sets in as she tells them she’ll be right back. I’m out of my seat and following her without a thought. There are too many predators here tonight and no one will be taking advantage of my girl.

  A couple of guys notice and start to follow, but immediately change course when they see me.

  Yeah, I’ve still got it. Fear me, assholes.

  She steps into the bathroom, and I lean against the wall to wait. When the door opens back up, her sea legs leave her unbalanced and she bounces off either side of the doorway.

  I can’t help but chuckle. She looks so damn cute.

  The sound alerts her to my presence, and her brow knits as she narrows her gaze.

  “What?”

  I shake my head and hold out a bottle of water. “Here. Drink this.”

  “I don’t want it.”

  “Just do it.” Fucking stubborn as ever.

  “What is it?”

  “Water.”

  Her expression softens and she grabs it, unscrewing the top and taking a few long gulps.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem. Just let me know when you want to go home. I’ll walk with you.”

  “I don’t need you to.” She thrusts the bottle back at me and stomps off as best she can.

  I watch her, my jaw ticking, my hands wanting to grab her. The anger is so great I almost miss Austin spotting her, then making his way through the crowd.

  Almost.

  There’s no way in hell I’m letting him near her.

  A few long steps, and I’ve made up the distance. I reach out and grab her forearm, tilting it so I can reach the wristlet she’s wearing. Her keys are clipped to the strap, and before her drunk mind can process what I’m doing, I have her keys.

  Dad and Sonia are probably in bed. The last thing she’ll want to do is let them find out she’s drunk.

  “Hey!” she yell
s, jumping into the air and swiping.

  Being nearly a foot taller than her definitely has its advantages, and I will use every one I can get to keep her from him.

  I step back, holding her keychain high in the air. “Sorry, something you want?”

  “Brayden! Stop being an asshole!”

  I turn and start heading to the entrance, praying to God she’s smart enough to follow.

  “Give me my keys, Brayden!”

  She’s right behind me, chasing after me.

  Just as I want.

  I wish she could understand the kind of favor she just did for Austin. She saved his ass.

  “Give them to me!”

  Oh, she’s pissed. But there’s no sympathizing. I’m equally as heated. “You’re lucky you’re not over my shoulder right now.”

  “Why are you always being such a dick?”

  Kira has no fucking clue how nice I’m being considering that Austin was eye-fucking her in that dress all night.

  In front of me. No fucks given.

  I bet everyone in that party knew he was there for her, and he made no moves to try to hide it.

  Kira calls out my name again.

  We’re only a few blocks away from home. I’m going to make sure she gets inside, then I’ll lock her in her room if I must.

  I’m supposed to be playing nice. Austin’s audacity and the sheer lust clouding my system make it impossible for me to do so.

  “Brayden, I’m not fucking kidding!”

  “Neither am I.” We cross onto our block, passing by her old house.

  “Oh my God, just give me my freaking keys!”

  She tackles me from behind. The impact of her body takes me by surprise, and I stumble forward.

  Four steps, and I slam into the brick fence surrounding her old house. The same brick fence we played behind countless times.

  Her arms tighten around my neck. “Last warning. Give me the damn keys.”

  I burst out laughing and straighten. Grabbing her arms, I try to ease her off. “Woman, we’re already here.”

  She presses closer, wiggling, all the while trying in vain to choke me.

  Fire explodes through my veins. I’m already beyond fucking turned on, been like this forever now. The last thing I need is that lickable, tight little body rubbing up on me in any way.

  “Give them back to me so I can go back to the party!”