Out Of Place (Face the Music Book 2) (13 page)

Ew. She didn’t want a random. She wanted Ed. After dinner she’d been so tempted to flee the restaurant and find the Basement on Bannister—it wasn’t that far to walk. But she hadn’t. If he’d replied to her text, she might have.

Escaping from the party with her pride intact wasn’t going to happen. She should have a few more drinks, latch on to a guy and call the challenge complete. She held her drink and bopped to the music, casting her gaze around the club. There had to be someone halfway decent. There was no way she was giving Julie the satisfaction of winning, even if that meant embarrassing herself totally…wait a moment…was that still a win for Julie?

Possibly.

But she thought that completing the challenge was better than failing to complete…and she wanted to kiss someone. It was possible that she’d had enough to drink and she should get some water. She wasn’t the kiss a guy she’d just met kind of girl.

Because she’d never had the chance. She’d been with Miles for her teenage years, and then single. She had another sip of her cocktail and looked for a likely guy. So far all she was seeing was half-drunk dudes who thought they could dance. She smiled. Any one of them would do…but she didn’t want to make do. She wanted someone who made her body jump. Someone she could jump.

Memories of the one time she’d tried that surfaced. She pushed them down, but it was too late; her resolve to be brave and risk-taking started to crumble. She couldn’t face any more rejection.

A guy in tight jeans and a black shirt made his way over. He wasn’t the first to try his luck and he wouldn’t be the last. A group of women was bound to draw attention. The guy tried to entice one of the women away for a dance. Someone pushed Olivia forward, but she shook her head. He wasn’t her type…but could he be if she gave him a chance?

Take the chance.

She couldn’t. She had a kitten’s heart in the body of a tiger on the prowl. He was saying something, but she had no idea what. It was too noisy. It kind of looked as though he was pleading…not hot, but funny. She smiled and shook her head then pointed to her drink, it was a good excuse not to dance. What was wrong with her? One dance wouldn’t kill her. She might actually have some fun tonight. The handcuff swung.

His eyes lit up.
Crap.

He moved in closer. “Do you want another drink?” he said in her ear.

“I’m fine.” She should slow down. Tomorrow was going to hurt.

His hand landed on her hip. “Want to dance?”

“Later.” What was she doing? She should be saying yes and finishing the challenge. He was okay, he wasn’t too drunk. She could do worse, but she could also do better.

“Do it, Olivia.” A woman shouted in her other ear.

The guy tugged the cuff. “What’s this for?”

Suddenly the game wasn’t fun at all and she didn’t want to explain. She wanted to leave…but there was nowhere to go and Julie would know that she’d struck a blow. Olivia drew in a breath and tried to find some of her earlier confidence.

“I have to catch a guy.” Julie thought she couldn’t. She didn’t want her to be right. Julie wasn’t right. Olivia had caught Ed, and then released him like an undersized snapper.

The man held the other end of the cuff and smiled. Okay, he had a nice smile, but she shook her head. She wanted someone who made her heart kick with lust. Instead of walking away, or cuffing himself to her and taking away her choice, his eyebrows drew together. “I have three very single friends, all of whom would love to be cuffed to you.”

She doubted that. But he gave her hand a tug as if she should follow. Was he trying to help her or get her away from the group?

Be brave!

Be smart.

She grabbed the hand of the closest bridesmaid before letting him lead them away. Hopefully not too far away. At a table to the side, not far from where the women had gathered, were the guys. Five of them. Had they been staking out the hens’ night?

She swallowed. She might have bitten off more than she could chew. The alcohol-induced bravery evaporated. She gave the woman’s hand a squeeze but the bridesmaid was grinning like she’d found an all you can eat chocolate buffet.

“Boys, may I present two lovely ladies looking for a man.” He waved the damn handcuff for emphasis.

Her cheeks burned, the only saving grace was the amount of makeup she was wearing. She should’ve cuffed him and been done with it instead of being presented for market.

Another guy, in a grey shirt dotted with black skull and crossbones, walked over and put some beers on the table. He glanced up, then looked straight at her. His face mirrored her shock.

Ed was here. He was supposed to be playing. Had he lied? Why hadn’t he returned her text?

Her mouth went dry and her heart beat louder than the music. She swallowed hard and her gaze flicked to the swaying handcuff.

One night.

They may not be able to have a relationship, but they could have one night. She had wanted one night to be someone else and this was it. Tonight she was glamorous; the kind of woman a rock star might date. She smiled at him. “I need to catch a man.”

He was the man she wanted and she hoped she sounded teasing, not desperate.

The man who’d led her over took a look at Ed. “Come on, help a lady out.”

Her thoughts were definitely not ladylike.

Ed hesitated. He was going to say no in front of his friends. Then they were all going to laugh at her. She really couldn’t get a guy. Julie’s friend would report back and she would never be allowed to forget this defeat.

She bit her lip to stop the tremble as Ed gave her a slow once over, as if considering.
Bastard.
She deserved it after dropping him. When his gaze met hers there was a flicker of heat, but his expression didn’t change. She glanced around for help, but the other woman was joined at the lips to another guy.
Great.
Was this the friend Julie had mentioned who went through men the way most women went through knickers?

Ed moved closer and his mates clapped him on the back and cheered like he was on a sure thing tonight. Ed had the decency to blush a little. He said something to one of them, but she had no idea what.

Then he was standing in front of her and leaning in. “Now you need a man?”

He was close enough that in one step she’d be pressed against him. Closer than they’d ever been. Her body hummed with need that had been supressed for too long.

“Blame my sister and your friend.” That wasn’t what she should’ve said. She knew that as soon as the words left her lips, before she saw his expression.

He drew back. She’d blown it.
No.
She reached out and grabbed his shirt front then closed the distance and kissed him.

At first she thought it was a mistake, as he didn’t respond. Then his hands slid over her hips and drew her closer. This was no innocent kiss taken on a sidewalk. His lips moved against hers and rational thought fractured. His hand slid over her butt, keeping her hard against him. Her bones melted.

She wanted him.

Needed him.

Why had she told him it would never work?

“Are you going to cuff me?” His lips brushed her ear.

Did he actually want to do this? He hadn’t replied to her message, she’d thought that was it. Done. She had to remember to breathe. ”You’re not pissed off?”

He didn’t answer straight away. “That depends on what your plans are for me once you have me and win your hens’ night game.”

Her cheeks burned, but she had to play this all the way because she’d never get this chance again. She leaned in, her cheek against his and her hand on his shoulder. Her body was moulded to his, leaving little to her imagination. He did want her. It made her bolder. “I could win the game and we could get out of here.”

Did she really say that?

He took her hand and snapped the hot pink cuff closed around his wrist—with a little too much familiarity. Then he looked at his friends, gave a shrug and pointed at her as if there was nothing he could do.

Yeah, it was all her fault.

Then she realised she’d done it. She’d completed Julie’s challenge. Even better, she had Ed attached to her. Ed, the rock star.

She glanced at him to make sure that it really was him. It was. “Why are you here?”

“Boys’ night out.”

“Oops. Sorry.” But she didn’t really mean that.

His friends started cheering. He gave a half bow then he turned and they started weaving their way back to the hens’ night. His fingers laced with hers as they skirted the dance floor and made their way back to her sister.

When she reached the group she raised her hand, and Ed’s by default. “Challenge completed.”

She grinned and let relief wash through her. Sticking it to Julie had never felt so good. Julie turned and pressed her lips together as if displeased by this turn of events, before forcing a smile.
What a cow.

Olivia was glad she’d been determined to cuff a guy. When she glanced at Ed she was glad she hadn’t cuffed the first man she’d seen. Now she had him…all night…she wasn’t sure she knew what to do with him.

Julie got the attention of the pregnant woman who held out the bag of prizes. Olivia reached in and pulled out edible undies.
Classy.
Then the bag was offered to Ed. He pulled out a box of condoms—party mix—and gave her a wink. She had no doubt he’d known what he was grabbing.

The slim box disappeared into his back pocket.

She hadn’t thought that far ahead, because she hadn’t expected anything to actually happen. It was one thing to think and imagine getting lucky, but another to find it fast becoming a reality. She looked at him, but had no idea what was going through his mind.

“Dance with me, you can’t leave yet.” His voice was like liquid silk in her ear and created goosebumps along her arms.

He was right. She couldn’t leave yet or Julie would know she’d left with him and Julie didn’t know that Olivia already knew Ed—if she did she’d probably disqualify her and take back the prizes which might come in handy tonight. Besides, dancing with Ed would be nice.

On the dance floor they were anonymous—if not for the handcuff and the excessive hair and makeup she had on, no one would’ve looked at them. She went to take the handcuff off, the game was over. As far as Olivia was concerned her part in the hens’ night was over too.

Ed covered her hand. “You can’t run away if you’re attached to me.”

So he was a little burnt about the way she’d walked off. She was kind of annoyed he hadn’t replied to her text. “I thought you had a show. I was surprised to see you here.”

“I did. It went well, thanks for asking.”

She hadn’t asked, but she had wished him luck. “I sent you a message.”

He nodded. “And I got it.” His un-cuffed hand had slid to her butt. “You had plans for tonight and so did I.”

“I noticed.”

“It wasn’t my idea to follow your hens’ night.”

“You knew I was there?” And he’d done nothing? The advantage of talking was that they had to stay close together to hear. His breath was on her neck and his cheek would rub hers. He hadn’t shaved before coming out. She shivered, but not because she was cold.

“No. I was too busy getting drinks to get a proper look.” He shrugged. ”I wasn’t looking to pick up.” And yet dancing this close, he was obviously interested. He moved his hips against hers. “I think I’ve changed my mind.” He gave her butt a squeeze. “How about you?”

“Me?” Did he think she was out to pick up? “I’m here to make up numbers.”

“I find that hard to believe.” His lips brushed hers but the kiss didn’t deepen. “How was your week?”

“Still unemployed.”

And they were getting dangerously close to talking about Monday and the way she’d dumped him. It had seemed like the right thing to do at the time…and probably would come morning. But she pushed those thoughts away. She was allowed to have some fun. Ed was fun, and he seemed to be ignoring what had happened on Monday.

“That sucks. You’ll find something.” He kissed her earlobe then worked his way down her neck.

“I found you.” She grinned, giving into the attention and relaxing in his arms. He wanted her; right now that was all her fragile heart and self-esteem needed.

“Yes, you did. What would you have done otherwise?” The edge was back in his voice, reminding her that things weren’t the way they had been.

“Caught someone, claimed the prize and cut him free.” Which was going to happen anyway. She tried to ignore the guilt that she was using him for sex, as he’d have done the same thing to her, and had probably done it many times before and would do it many times again.

“Shall we forget Monday happened and call it a bad day?”

Just agree.
Part of her wished Monday hadn’t happened but the reality was they moved in different circles and had lives that would rarely cross. However, tonight was theirs.

She swayed her hips. “Sure. You’re mine tonight.”

But that was all she was giving herself. A break from her real life and a moment to be someone else.

“Then let’s make the most of it.” He lifted an eyebrow in challenge.

Did he expect her to back out? She swallowed. He was really suggesting that they leave. Isn’t that what she wanted? “Aren’t you worried people will see you?”

He laughed. “Are you?”

Yes.
Why did it matter what Julie would say? She was probably too drunk to really notice anything. Olivia hoped she was anyway. “No.”

He flicked the catch on the handcuff, separating them. “I’ll meet you at the exit in five.”

Doubt raced through her. While she knew him, she couldn’t just up and leave with him.

“Where are we going?” The loud music was the perfect reason to be close to him, brush against him and keep her hand on him.

“My place. We have a box of condoms, edible undies and handcuffs.” He drew back to see her reaction. He was grinning. Serious or joking?

She wasn’t sure which was worse, if he was serious or toying with her. She was grateful for the makeup and the dim lighting. For the alcohol in her blood and that he’d already seen her scar and hadn’t been repulsed. There would be no moment of unveiling and facing reality. He already knew and he was still interested.