by Sara Hess
“What’s with the evil eye?” Evan asked.
I climbed up into the tall chair and stuck my face in the menu. “Nothing.” I grumbled.
His hand stroked up my back as he took the chair next to mine. “You’re right.” At his short response I peered over at him in confusion. Leaning closer to me he gently wrapped his fingers around my neck. “She’s got nothing on you.”
My throat clogged and I swallowed the emotion down with difficulty. “Except a truck-load of make-up; how can she even smile with that mask on?”
With a grin blowing up his face Evan leaned forward to kiss me. I didn’t hesitate in returning it, and got instantly lost in the intensity of it; clutching at his shirt almost desperately.
“Gross, keep the PDA on the LD or my IBS might act up.”
David’s voice woke me up to where we were and I tried pulling away, but Evan’s hand on my nape kept me immobile as he gave me one last drawn out nip and lick to my lips before slowly drawing back to glance past me at David.
“You’re about two minutes too early.” He growled.
David plopped down in the seat next to me, grinning at both of us. “In two minutes you probably would have had her on the table making her the meal.”
My already flushed face went hotter and I slapped at David’s arm. “Shut up.”
Evan’s hand landed on my thigh…really high in my thigh…and he leered lustily at me. “He’s not lying.”
Oh god, I was going to burst into flames. Raising the menu I blocked both of their smug faces, but I was unable to block out their chuckles. Thankfully, Nic and Carrie arrived just as the waitress strode up and the mortifying moment passed. Nic and Evan ordered beers, while David, Carrie and I ordered sodas. Evan put in an order for three appetizers as well.
The hours flew by as we ate, talked, and played bar trivia. Then we started up a game of darts. One game led into a couple more and before I knew it we’d finished our food, the guys were on their fourth beers, and Carrie and I were fighting for last place in a game of 300.
“This game is unfair.” I grumbled as my dart fell short of the board yet again. “The dart board is clearly constructed for taller people. The game should have some kind of handicapped for the altitude disadvantaged…you know, like golf. Carrie and I should be allowed to move at least a foot closer.”
Lining up my last dart I tossed it and it struck the board this time giving me a total of fifteen points for this round. The guys were getting over fifty points each time.
Arms circled my waist and Evan’s lips tickled my ear. “It’s not how tall you are, it’s all in the arm and wrist movement.”
My body instantly melted back against his. He’d been touching me all night and my blood was at a constant simmer because of it.
Turning in his arm I set my palms on his lower abdomen and grinned up at him playfully. “Well, then this game is obviously geared toward men because we all know how in shape your dominant arm and wrist are from all the exercise it gets.”
My gaze was locked with Evan’s scorching one, but I heard Carrie sputter from Nic’s lap.
David chuckled. “I never thought of that. I’m going to have to go home and practice.” That had Carrie laughing harder.
Evan waggled his brows. “I’d gladly give them a break for something softer, hotter…” He leaned close to my ear. “Tighter and amazingly delicious.”
I whimpered, arching into him involuntarily. I was reaching the end of my tether and was afraid that soon the crowd of people filling the bar wasn’t going to be enough to stop me from jumping him.
“You about ready to go?” Evan nipped my ear. Oh god, he was reading my mind. I nodded my head. “Thank fuck, because I’m about ready to explode.” He groaned. Giving one last tug to my ear he leaned back to glare at me hotly. “Hey guys, Shaw and I are going to head out…” He turned with me in his arms to face the table. “I’m going to settle up our bar tab, Nic, and then if you guys want to stay, or head back to the house, that’s up to you.”
The three identical grins thrown my way said they heard his emphasis on house and knew he was pushing Nic to take Carrie there instead of the apartment. When Evan strode away to pay the bill I let my gaze follow him so I didn’t have to suffer their amusement.
Alas, my ears were wide open.
“Soooo…you and Evan going to go practice darts?” David drawled.
“Don’t make me kill you, because l really like you not dead.” I growled joining them at the table, but still not meeting their eyes.
They chuckled and left it at that as Carrie scrambled off Nic’s lap to take her turn at darts.
It was incredibly awkward knowing that they knew Evan and I were leaving to go have sex. No wonder Carrie was blushing all the time when Nic pulled her into her room, and then later when she came out. If Nic was as good as Evan then that probably added to her red, glowing face.
My core tingled in remembrance, and anticipation.
My gaze was still fastened on Evan’s backside…mostly because I couldn’t pull it away…and while he was at the bar talking to our waitress a girl stepped up next to him. I frowned unconsciously. Women had been walking by our table all night trying to catch all the guys’ attention, and several had even approached. A number of them recognized Nic and Evan from having played on UVA’s lacrosse team and used that to start up a conversation.
When Nic and Evan made it apparent that they were taken—mostly by way of pulling Carrie and me onto their laps—and David made it clear he wasn’t interested either, they had moved on. This had allowed me not to get too perturbed at their disgustingly, obvious ploy of trying to pilfer our men.
And here was yet another one attempting to snag him. Had she been waiting for him to step away, or was it all coincidental?
I waited for him to brush her off like he had all the others…only he didn’t. Instead, he smiled down at her. They were smiling at each other.
What the hell?!
Okay, don’t blow it out of proportion Shaw. They could know each other…just as friends.
My gaze narrowed as the girl moved closer setting her hand on Evan’s forearm and giving him a sultry…slutty…look.
That was more than a friendly gesture. She was giving him the go sign. And while Evan wasn’t observably taking her up on it, he wasn’t shaking her off either. His head began to twist in my direction and I glanced away hastily. After a couple seconds I peered back and found them still standing together. Her hand was off his arm, but their sides were almost touching as they leaned on the bar talking. Why wasn’t he moving away from her, or she flouncing away because he called her a skanky two bit whore? Why had he looked back at me; was it to make sure I wasn’t watching him?
“It’s not what you think, Shaw.”
I jerked my gaze around to Nic. “What?” I frowned. All three of them were staring at me fixedly and I didn’t like it.
Nic raised his brow. “You have an expression on your face that tells me you’re judging something from a narrow viewpoint.”
I slit my eyes on him. “You don’t know what the hell I’m thinking.”
“Shaw, don’t.” David warned with an anxious expression.
I wasn’t sure if he was warning me about jumping to conclusions or that he recognized that my tension gauge was escalating fast and that I needed to watch what came out of my mouth. My gaze flickered over to Carrie to see her watching me even more anxiously than the guys. I took a deep breath, because I had been close to biting off Nic’s head—more than I already had—and I truly didn’t want to do that.
I bared my teeth in a facsimile of a smile as my chest caved in on itself. “Well, I’d better get out of here before I do something to embarrass everyone then.”
“Shaw, don’t go. I’m sure it’s innocent.” Carrie protested fretfully.
Jumping to my feet I hugged her. “Sure it is, but I still need to go.” My agreement didn’t clear away her concern. I didn’t blame her because I didn’t really say it
like I meant it. “David, can you take me home?” I headed for the door. If he didn’t follow me I’d start walking home, and David knew that I would.
I marched out the doors and a couple seconds later David caught up with me. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Evan?”
“Nope.” I clipped shortly.
He sighed and slung his arm over my shoulder hugging me into his side. “I think you’re wrong, but okay, my car is this way.”
I wrapped my arms around myself and followed David around the building towards the back. Why would Evan put himself at risk for a felony charge for me but then turn around and cozy up to another girl? Did he like getting into fights? No…Nic and Seth had mentioned at the police station that Evan never started fights. He would jump in to cover a friend’s back, but they said he never instigated them.
I just didn’t understand it; we had been about to leave and have sex. You’d think he would have been set for the night. But it’s not like this had never happened to me before. Back in high school I’d made plans with guys before, meeting up with them at parties, but then I’d show up and they would have moved on to someone more attractive and who wasn’t trailer trash, and that girl in there had been prettier, confident, and her clothes screamed designer.
I pressed my fist into my aching chest. It had really only been a matter of time before Evan wondered what the hell he was doing with me.
We were almost to David’s car when suddenly I was grabbed from behind and whipped around. Evan took a hold of both my arms and scowled down at me. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Clearing my expression of surprise and putting a lid on my raging emotions…I hope…I shrugged. “I was ready to go, and you appeared to have changed your mind.”
I tried wrenching away but he wasn’t allowing it. “No, I was very much ready to go, but I was waiting for the waitress to get back with the credit card slip.” He growled down at me.
“You looked like you might have another reason to hang out there.” My lid was rattling from my boiling emotions.
Evan’s lips thinned. “If you’re talking about Heaven; then no, I was in no way waiting there for her.”
I snorted past my tight throat and gave him a useless shove that didn’t send him anywhere. “Heaven!? Are you fucking serious? Is that her stripper name, or her 1-900 moniker?”
His eyes rolled. “Be nice, and yes, that’s her real name.”
Be nice! I gave him another heave. “Nice is for doormats. And how do you know that’s her real name? Did she show you her license? Was Heaven offering to show you a glimpse of her namesake, by chance?” Words were spewing forth without any thought.
“Heaven and I are old friends and she was only saying hello, that’s all.” He pulled me close, tighter, trying to control my struggling.
The lid blew off. “Ohhh, she was one of your calendar girls. Her hand on your arm was saying more than just ‘hello’, and she was nearly on top of you. Was she looking to sign up for another subscription?” I stomped on his foot.
“Ouch…shit, Shaw…will you stop it.” He lifted me up off the ground slightly. “Yes, she and I used to sleep together, and she did extend an interest in getting together again, but I told her no. I would have walked away from her after that but I was still waiting for my credit card slip, and I wasn’t going to be a dick to a girl I’d parted as friends with. You wouldn’t want me to be one of those guys, would you?”
His words and calm tone were like a switch, turning down the fire of my anger. Unfortunately, my emotions underwent a rapid ninety degree turn and tears began filling my eyes. Shit, I hated crying. In a way, I wanted to stay mad that he and that girl had a previous relationship, but I wasn’t that irrational. I still didn’t like it though.
Keeping my head down I blinked rapidly and mumbled. “You know I don’t care what people think about me; why would you think I cared what she thought about you?”
“You care; you only like to pretend you don’t.” He set my feet back down on the pavement.
I couldn’t believe I’d just gone all psycho-female on him; particularly after he had put his future at risk by getting in a fight with Ford for me. I was such an utter mess, and this just solidified why I would be a complete failure in a relationship. It was a good thing for him that this wasn’t long-term.
Chest constricting, I wiped at my leaking eyes. “You should go back in and take her up on her offer. She’s probably a lot more fun than me.” I was joking, but damn, that was hard to get out.
Evan’s hands massaged my back. “No one is more fun than you, and I don’t want anyone else but you, Red.”
“Yeah, I’m sure this was way fun.” I inhaled a shaky breath.
“You know I like to be kept on my toes, and you never fail at that.” He declared.
Yeah, I think a steady diet of my irrational moods would wear on him rather quickly.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
EVAN
“Come on, let me take you home.” I hurried Shaw along with me giving Nic, Carrie, and David a brief wave letting them know I had everything under control.
Right now Shaw appeared to be in a somewhat open frame of mind and I wanted it to stay that way. If she knew the others had witnessed her tears she might retreat emotionally.
Shaw didn’t say anything as I guided her over to my car and helped her in the passenger seat. Jogging around I slid behind the wheel. Resting my hand on her leg I let the silence continue on the drive to her apartment, letting her get herself back together, knowing she needed that time. I didn’t know what had happened back there, why she’d gotten so upset, but some way I was going to get her to tell me.
After parking, I nestled her snuggly to my side as we walked together up to her apartment. Once inside she dropped her bag on the table and I stepped up flush against her back.
“Why don’t you go do what girls do in the bathroom before bed; I forgot something in my car.” I murmured in her ear.
She rested back against me for a moment and I soaked in her softness and heat, but then she strode away, again without saying anything. I waited until she disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door before heading back down to my car to grab the overnight bag I’d packed just for this occasion. I hadn’t forgotten it, but I hadn’t wanted Shaw raising protests at the sight of it.
Shaw might not be speaking but I could feel the multitude of emotions inundating her. While I disliked that she was in a despondent state this was a perfect opportunity to dig into her psyche. That might sound clinical but Shaw kept a lot of herself bottled up and hidden, and I’d been waiting a long time for just this opening.
I took my time retrieving my bag and by the time I returned to the apartment Shaw was out of the bathroom. Stepping in with my bag I closed the door. After taking a piss I pulled out my toothbrush and cleaned my teeth, washed my face, and used my electric shaver to smooth out my jaw. I didn’t want to irritate Shaw’s skin tonight. Picking up my bag I carried it down the short hallway to Shaw’s room.
Stepping in her bedroom I found Shaw sitting on her bed cross-legged wearing a long t-shirt that reached her upper thighs with the cat curled in her lap…and ahhh, her long, curly hair was loose and wild around her face.
Stroking the cat almost absently she watched me intently as I set my bag near her closet and began disrobing. Again, a heavy silence hung in the air. Her grave green eyes swirled with hunger, her breathing became erratic, and her skin flushed as my clothing fell away. My plan had been to talk with her before, but I didn’t think either of us was going to be able to focus on a conversation right now.
My cock was hard as fucking steel and had been aching for relief for hours. As I dragged my boxers down Shaw’s intent gaze locked on my heavy, protruding erection.
Walking to the end of the bed I grunted. “Take that shirt off.”
With a dazed blink, and only slight hesitation, she shifted to her knees. Setting the cat on the floor she drew the shirt up and off. I inhaled i
n awe as her body was bared to me; creamy, smooth skin, mouthwatering, rose-tipped breasts, taut stomach, black panties, and firm thighs.
Shit, she was stunning.
Climbing on the bed I mimicked her kneeling position, and clasping her face between my hands I captured her mouth. Sliding one hand to the back of her head, tangling my fingers in her beautiful hair, I sent the other one down to her ass and squeezed the firm flesh before jerking her into me. Like always, overwhelming lust and hunger engulfed me, and all I wanted to do was eat her alive.
“Evan.” Shaw whimpered into my mouth.
Her hands burrowed into my hair, pulling me deeper into the kiss; biting, tugging, and sucking on my lips and tongue. That just spiked my already unrestrained desire.
Taking her to her back on the mattress I covered her body, pressing myself into her, and groaned at the incredible feel of her. “Fuck, it feels like forever instead of only two days since I was last in you.” I felt fucking starved for her.
Trailing my mouth down her jaw, neck, and chest, I latched onto her sweet nipple, and suckled at it fervently while at the same time molding the opposite breast. Gasping, Shaw dug her nails into my scalp, arching up into me. In the next second her legs wrapped around my waist and her heels pressed into my ass.
“I need you, Evan. I need you now.” Shaw panted, grinding into me.
I grunted as her wet, cloth-covered mound rubbed against my dick. Moving my hand down under her panties I cupped her sodden pussy. Thrusting a finger inside her I worked her clit with the heel of my hand.
“Yesss….yessss.” Shaw moaned, riding my hand, and then astoundingly she exploded. “Auuuhhhhhh.” She cried.
Lifting my head I stared at her in amazement. I’d never had a girl reach an orgasm so quickly; never had a woman respond so naturally and readily to my touch. Her muscles contracted hard and rhythmically around my finger until eventually easing into minute flutters. My gaze stayed on her as the tension eased from her features, and shuddery breaths puffed from her parted lips.
I could have stared at her indefinitely but my cock was screaming for relief. Lifting myself off her I hauled off her panties with shaky hands...and wasn’t that a shot to the chest. No female had ever made me this frantic to be inside her. Shaw’s eyes squinted open to stare at me satedly, but I could see eagerness for the next stage.
