“No, we have, but it was when we got together. We haven’t done anything since. It just doesn’t feel right.”
“How can sex with Logan not feel right? He’s my friend, but I’m not afraid to say that he’s smoking hot. I bet he’s great in bed! Is he? Tell me! Oh, wait, don’t tell me. Ah, I have to know.”
She laughed as I fought with myself. “You done yet?”
I giggled. “I can’t help it! I want to know, but then he’s my friend, too, so I don’t want to know. Oh, I give up! Just spill it already!”
“It was…it was nice.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Just nice? Oh shit, he’s bad in bed, isn’t he?”
She shook her head. “No, he’s not bad, honest.”
I stayed silent for a minute, milling over what she’d just told me. Something wasn’t adding up.
“Chloe, is everything okay with you guys? You barely mentioned him over break, and you seem less than enthused with this conversation.”
“We’re fine. But that’s the problem. Everything about him is just fine. I love him, but I don’t know if I share his feelings or if I’m mistaking friendship for something more because that’s what I’m supposed to do.”
“Don’t you think you should have figured that out before you decided to get into a relationship with him? Actually, I distinctly remember telling you to get your shit together.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m a dumbass. Point made,” Chloe said, her voice trembling.
I gave her a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, but you’ve got to figure this out. It’s not fair to string him along like this if you aren’t sure.”
Chloe groaned and sank further back into her seat. “Trust me, I know. You have no idea how much I know.”
We made it back to Morgantown in record time, mostly due to my crazy driving. I’d wanted to make sure we made it back in time for the show. I’d laughed as people blew their horns at us. Chloe had repeatedly asked me what the hell was wrong with me, but I’d just laughed and continued my NASCAR driving.
I stepped out of the car and opened the trunk to start pulling our bags out.
“What. The. Hell?” Chloe yelled.
I threw her bags at her and grinned. “What’s your problem?”
“My…wha—you tried to kill us!” she screeched.
“You’re such a baby! I was just trying to make it back in time for Drake’s show with the guys. Since you’re off, you can go, too! You haven’t been to one in forever!”
A look of horror crossed Chloe’s face. “Um…I can’t. I have to go pick up my work schedule and put away all this stuff.”
I rolled my eyes as we walked inside our dorm. “You can do that tomorrow. Tonight, we party! Let’s meet down here in two hours, and I will hunt you down if you try to get out of it!”
There was no way I was going to give her a chance to get out of tonight, so I turned and walked down the hallway to my room. No matter what had been bothering her, I would make sure she had a blast tonight.
I made it to the entrance before Chloe did. I’d been waiting for almost ten minutes when she finally decided to make an appearance.
“It’s about damn ti—whoa! Holy shit, Chloe, you look amazing!” I said when I caught sight of her.
She was wearing a little black dress that left very little to the imagination. It was so very…un-Chloe-like that my mouth dropped open in surprise.
She glanced down at my super short miniskirt and ripped stockings. “You don’t look too bad yourself. You ready?”
We chatted all the way to the bar, both of us full of nervous energy.
“What’s got you so wound up tonight, Amber? Let me guess. Does it start with an A and end with an M?” Chloe finally asked.
I giggled like I was fifteen, unable to stop myself. “Shut up! It does not. Well, maybe a little bit. Do you think he’ll notice me in this outfit?”
She gave me a bewildered look. “Are you kidding me? Every male in the whole damn place will be begging at your feet. He’d have to be blind not to notice those legs.”
I smiled. “I hope so. He’s barely even glanced my way.” At this point, I was starting to feel desperate for his attention—hence, the super slutty outfit tonight.
“Amber, I’m only saying this because I love you. I have no doubt he will notice you, but he’s not the type to stick with one girl. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up for something that is pretty much impossible.”
I snorted as I pulled the car into the parking lot and maneuvered into a space far too small. “You think I don’t know that? I don’t want to marry the guy. Have some fun? Sure, why not? I’m done with relationships for a while. I just want to have a good time!”
I hoped that was all this was. Maybe if I had him, even once, it would be enough.
“All right then. That changes things. Go get him!” Chloe said as we climbed from my car.
We linked arms and giggled as we made our way into the bar. Heads turned as soon as we walked in, and I felt a smug grin curve my lips. Breaking the Hunger was already playing as we made our way to our usual table. Despite our absence the last couple of weeks during break, it was still empty, waiting on us. The heat of a hundred male stares engulfed my body as I took a seat and looked up at the band playing onstage. I just hoped Adam would notice me for once.
I felt my heart constrict at the sight of Adam. He was wearing nothing but a pair of faded blue jeans. I never once saw him perform with his shirt on. No matter how many times I saw him, my body still responded like it was the first time. He did things to me that even I didn’t understand. I could only imagine what it would feel like if he actually gave me the time of day.
Drake finished out the final line of the song with a scream before opening his eyes and smiling at the crowd. “All right, guys, one more song, and you get to pick. Tell me what you want!”
The crowd went wild as people began shouting song titles up at him. I looked up when Chloe suddenly stood and walked to the front of the stage. Drake’s eyes instantly snapped to her. Even I could feel the heat from his gaze as he took in her outfit for the night.
“I have a request!” Chloe shouted over the crowd, who had quieted slightly when they noticed the looks Drake was giving her.
He walked over and leaned down until they were eye level. “And what would that be?”
Chloe gave him her sweetest smile. My stomach dropped. This wasn’t going to end well.
“‘Gentleman’ by Theory of a Deadman. You know that one, right?”
His eyebrows disappeared into his hair as the women in the crowd started whistling. I wanted to drop my head down onto the table. She couldn’t be serious. What the fuck was going on with them? And why hadn’t I thought to text Logan and ask him to come with us?
“Sure do. I’m a pro at it.” He walked back to the center of the stage and motioned for the band to start.
Chloe sat back down next to me, a mischievous grin on her face. As Drake sang, he constantly glanced at our table with a defeated look on his face. I almost felt sorry for him.
The band finished their set and made their way to our table, fighting women as they went.
When Drake neared Chloe, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You think you’re hilarious, don’t you?”
She grinned and gave him a look of complete innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He chuckled as he sat down across from me. “I’m sure you don’t.”
I almost opened my mouth to ask what the hell was going on, but I was distracted when Adam sat down next to me. I instantly wanted to groan when I realized he was wearing a shirt.
Unlike every other time he’d sat with me, he finally turned to look at me. “Amber, right?”
“Yeah, and you’re Eric?” I asked as I fought not to squeal. It was about damn time he noticed me. I wasn’t going to make this easy for him.
Eric, who had just sat down next to Jade and Drake, choked on his beer. “Dude, you just got burned. Y
ou’ve been sitting at the same table as her, drooling in her lap for months, and she doesn’t even know your name!”
Drooling over me for months? Doubtful.
Adam flipped Eric off. He turned back to me and smiled. “Nah, that douche over there is Eric. I’m Adam.”
I gave him the fakest embarrassed smile I could manage. “Whoops. Sorry, Adam.”
“It’s all right. Let me buy you a beer?” he asked.
I nodded as he motioned for the waitress to bring a round over to our table. Since we were with the band, the waitress appeared in front of us almost instantly. Adam opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off when Drake growled like a caged animal. I looked up to see a stranger sitting down next to Chloe.
“Hey, I’m Chris,” the guy said as he stared at Chloe.
She gave him a small smile. “Hi, Chris. I’m Chloe.”
The guy was attractive, but something about him bothered me. I couldn’t put my finger on it. His hair was a light brown, and he had amazing green eyes. He was built with muscles bulging out of his tight white shirt.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
Chloe shook her head and held up the half-empty bottle in her hand. “No, thanks. I’m good.”
“Come on, that one’s almost empty. Just one.”
Before Chloe could speak, Drake broke into the conversation. “She said no, buddy. Why don’t you take the hint and go back to your table?”
Chris glared at Drake. “I don’t remember asking for your opinion, buddy.”
“Well, you got it. Move along.”
Chris glanced back at Chloe. “You with this asshole?”
She shook her head. “No, definitely not.”
Chris turned to give Drake a smug smile. “Looks like you don’t have a say then.”
Drake clenched his fist on the table before pointing to the door. “You need to leave—now. Or I’m going to help you leave.”
Chris laughed as he threw his arm around Chloe’s shoulders. “I’d like to see you try.”
Everyone at the table was deathly quiet as Drake stood so fast that he knocked over his chair.
Chloe quickly removed herself out from underneath Chris’s arm. “Guys, chill out. Drake, sit back down. Chris, thank you for the offer but no thanks. I have a boyfriend who isn’t him.” She pointed at Drake, who was still standing and shooting murderous glares across the table at the guy.
Chris frowned but stood to leave. “That’s too bad. I’ll be over there if you change your mind.” He gave Drake one last glare as he walked back to his table.
“Asshole,” Drake muttered as he picked his chair up and sat back down.
Everyone was staring at him as Eric started laughing hysterically. “I have seen it all. Drake Allen just took up for a girl.”
Chloe rolled her eyes as everyone started laughing with Eric. “Shush. And you”—she turned her gaze to Drake—“I don’t need you to take up for me. I can fight my own battles.”
His eyes turned hard. “Sure you can. Sorry, it won’t happen again.”
I couldn’t stop looking back and forth between the two of them. Oh shit. Drake was in love with Chloe. I could see it in his eyes. I looked back at Chloe, and the look on her face made me think she knew it, too.
“Those two need to get laid,” Adam mumbled under his breath.
I glanced over to see him watching Chloe and Drake as well.
“As long as it’s not with each other, I’m cool with it,” I said.
He turned so that he was looking at me. He flashed me a smile that set my body on fire. I stared at him, taking in every little detail. God, he was perfect.
“So, Amber, tell me more about yourself.”
I grinned. “Do you really care?”
He scooted closer to me. “I’ve been watching you for over three months, but I know nothing about you. Call me curious.”
I leaned closer to him. “There’s nothing interesting about me. I’m sure you have more on your mind than my birthday, my favorite color, and what classes I’m taking.”
I rested my hand on his upper thigh, catching myself by surprise. I’d wanted to touch him for months, and now that I had even a little bit of his attention, I couldn’t help myself. His breath hitched as my hand slid higher up his leg. My hand would have been shaking from nerves if it hadn’t been resting against him.
Adam’s eyes flashed to Chloe and Drake before returning to me. “I don’t fuck my friends’ friends anymore. It always turns out bad.”
I grinned, my pulse racing, as I stared into his eyes. I wanted this man more than anything else. “Do I look like I’m the type to cause problems?” I asked.
“No, but you look like a fucking angel. That’s almost just as bad.” He rested his hand on top of mine.
I almost groaned at the skin-on-skin contact.
I jumped when Chloe poked me in the ribs and motioned to the door. “You ready?”
I glanced back and forth between Adam and Chloe. “Actually, I was going to hang out here with Adam for a little longer.” I pulled my keys out of my purse and handed them to her. “Take my car. I’ll catch a ride back with someone.”
Chloe looked back and forth between Adam and me before winking. I watched as she told everyone good-bye and left. As soon as she disappeared, Drake stood.
“I’m out of here,” he said without looking at any of us. He stormed to the door and disappeared.
I hoped he wasn’t trying to stop Chloe.
“I’m tired, too. You ready to head home, Jade?” Eric asked.
I’d only recently learned that those two lived together. I’d assumed they were a couple, but Jade had laughed it off.
“Yep. We’ll see you guys later,” Jade said, flashing a smile at Adam and me.
“Guess we know how to clear a room,” I joked.
Adam turned his attention back to me. He studied me so intently that I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
“Why do you keep staring at me?” I finally asked.
He shrugged. “I’m just trying to figure you out.”
“I hate to break it to you, but I’m not exactly a mystery.” I removed my hand from underneath his.
“Oh, I think you are.” He paused for a moment. “I can’t figure out your end game. Most women want me because they think I’m the key to getting close to the band. Thanks to whatever fucked-up relationship Chloe and Drake have, you’re already in.”
I frowned. “If you know those women are only using you, why do you let them?”
“Why wouldn’t I? They get their five minutes with the band, and I get laid.”
I had never expected this part of Adam. I’d seen him for what I thought he was—a wild, sex-crazed guitarist who only wanted women for sex. I’d never really thought about the way other women saw him. It made me sad to think about the way others used him.
“I never expected to have this type of conversation with you,” I said after a minute of silence.
He grinned. “I don’t usually talk this much. I’m no good at conversation, but I’m very good at other things.”
“I can only imagine,” I mumbled.
He leaned closer until our lips were almost touching. “What do you want from me? Besides a fuck, of course.”
“Who said I wanted to fuck you?” I teased.
“I can see it in your eyes and the way your lips part when you stare at me. I know women, Amber.”
“So, maybe I do,” I said, my eyes darting to his lips. I wanted him to kiss me right here for the world to see.
“But what else do you want?”
“Nothing,” I said, surprised when I realized the statement was true. I didn’t want a thing from him other than sex. This man was under my skin already without even trying. I knew I’d never find relief unless I had a taste of him.
“Nothing,” he echoed, his eyes never leaving mine.
I jumped when he suddenly pushed his chair back and stood. I gave him a questioning look, but instead of speaking,
he held out his hand. I took it without a second thought and let him lead me to the door.
Once we were outside, he led me across the lot to an older model Ford Escort. It wasn’t a dream car by any means, but I hadn’t picked him because of the car he drove.
“Where are we going?” I finally asked as he unlocked his car.
“My place.” He paused. “Unless you’d rather sneak me into your dorm room.”
I thought of my super boring roommate, Eva, and shook my head. She’d shit herself if I brought a guy home. “Let’s go to your place.”
He opened his door and climbed behind the wheel. I hurried to open my door, and then I slid down into the passenger seat. The car rumbled as it started, the sound so loud that I felt my body vibrate as he pressed on the gas.
He tore out of the parking spot and hit the main road, going faster than even I drove. I stayed silent as we drove across town to an older apartment building. After pulling into a parking spot, Adam shut off the car. I stared up at the three-story brick building next to us.
“This is where you live?” I asked.
“Yeah. It’s not much, but it’s home.”
We climbed out of the car and walked to the building. I grinned when Adam held the door open for me.
“Look at you, acting like a gentleman,” I said as I walked past him into the lobby of the building.
“Don’t get used to it,” he mumbled as we climbed a set of stairs. “I have no intention of being a gentleman to you for the rest of the night.”
We stopped on the second floor. The hallway was dimly lit, but I could make out the dark carpet beneath our feet. Adam stopped in front of the second door in the hallway and shoved his key in the door. He stepped in and flipped on a light. I followed closely behind him, curious to see where he lived.
I looked around his apartment. It was obvious that a single guy lived here. The walls were bare with the exception of a flat screen television mounted against the far wall. The living room had an older gray couch and matching chair, but that was all. The kitchen opened up behind the couch. White appliances, older-styled countertops, and a sink full of dishes made up the kitchen. A tiny table sat in the center, only big enough to fit one or two people.
Tamed Page 4
