Tease (8 page)

That was all it took. I fought, struggling against him. His arms circled and held me prisoner. The memory shouldn’t have flashed before my eyes, but it did. It was there. Inside me, consuming everything. That feeling of helplessness. Of being trapped.

Wild animal sounds escaped me. I growled and snapped my teeth, actually trying to bite him.

“Emerson, stop! Emerson!” Still holding me, he carefully lowered me down, setting my feet back on the ground.

“Easy, Emerson. I won’t hurt you.” His voice faded as he caught sight of my face. Air sawed past my lips as I stared out at him through my wild tangle of hair.

I felt them then. The hot slide of tears.
Shit
.

His arms loosened around me without entirely letting go. Still, it was enough room to move my arms between us. I dashed at my cheeks with shaking hands, feeling like the biggest idiot. I knew I needed to keep my distance from him. From the moment I’d spotted him, he threatened my careful control. And now look at me. I was
crying
.

“What? What do you want from me?” I whispered feverishly. “Why are you here . . . why are you doing this to me?”

Why couldn’t he just leave me alone?

He loomed over me. So close. Too close. Looking down at me, he shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Mortified that I was actually crying in front of him, I shoved free with a choked little sound and spun around again, sniffing back tears.

“Emerson.” He said my name on a breath that I felt right at my nape. My skin turned to goose flesh. Part of me wanted to turn around but I held myself still.

His large hands fell on my shoulders and rotated me around. Standing face-to-face again, his hands dropped. He dragged one hand through his dark hair, sending the strands flying briefly before settling back into place. We just stared at each other in a silent communion. It was strange. There were no words, but something was happening, something passing between us. It sounds like a cliché, but I’d never felt anything like it before. Not with any other guy.

His hands lifted and slid over my tear-soaked cheeks, holding me almost tenderly. He looked troubled. There was no other word for it. “I don’t know what it is you do to me.”

I do something to him?

His voice continued, a dark little whisper rushing over my lips. “But I’m not going to fight it anymore.”

As his warm mouth came down on mine, a jolt that felt like electricity shot through me. Along with that, a thousand thoughts chased through me as his lips pressed to mine, softer and more persuasive than I would have imagined possible from this hard-looking guy.

I could just step back. I could say one word.
No
. I could turn and walk back into the bar. He wouldn’t stop me. Not this time. I knew that.

All of these options presented themselves to me in a single flash, but I took the only option I could. The only one there was.

I kissed him back.

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter 7

T
he instant I softened
against him, everything changed. His lips went from soft and tender to hard and demanding. From gentle and seeking to needy and desperate.

And I was right there with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood up on my tiptoes, plastering myself against his chest. I felt a growl rumble up from his chest. He dipped for a second, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me up off my feet.

I gasped and he took advantage. His tongue swept inside my mouth, tasting me everywhere, stroking my tongue, tracing over my teeth. With every lick of his tongue he pushed me closer to the edge.

My world jarred with motion and I knew he was walking me somewhere, carrying me like I weighed nothing at all. I didn’t look up. I didn’t care. I buried my hands in his hair and devoured his mouth, his lips, his tongue. I broke away and nibbled down his throat. I caught his ear lobe between my teeth and his gasping hiss was my reward.

He staggered and bumped a vehicle. The sudden peal of a car alarm had us jumping apart. I slid down his hard length, releasing a shaky laugh. I ran a trembling hand down my face, my fingers lingering on my lips.

His hand joined mine on my face, his eyes glittering at me in the dark. His chest lifted with heavy breaths. He was just as affected as I was and this made me melt even hotter inside.

What was happening to me? I’d kissed my fair share of boys but I’d never felt anything like this before.

His husky voice fanned my lips. “I love the sound of your laugh.”

“You do?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “You should do it more.” He took my hand and pulled me after him.

I followed in silence, my feet moving quickly. This time I didn’t protest as he escorted me to the passenger side. I had a few moments alone inside his truck as he circled around to the driver’s side. I shook my hands wildly in the air in front of me, hoping to release some pent-up energy and calm my racing heart. It didn’t work.

He opened his door and I tucked my hands under my thighs, trying to appear calm. In the driver’s seat, he gripped the steering wheel and looked over at me. It was all it took.All semblance of calm was lost.

His hand closed around the back of my neck and hauled me across the seat to him. Our mouths collided. My fingers curled into his shirt, fisting the thermal cotton fabric. His chest felt hard and solid against my fingers. Even that turned me on. Not that his scorching lips hadn’t already done that.

He kept one hand at the back of my neck, tugging me closer as his other hand dipped to my ass, guiding me on top of him. I obliged, straddling him, hungry to get closer, gasping at the hard ridge of his erection rubbing directly between my thighs.

Voices and laughter penetrated dimly, but I didn’t care. We were in our cozy little world inside his truck, lips locked, bodies melded. Nothing else mattered. I jumped slightly as a fist bumped our window. “Get a room!” A group hooted with laughter as they walked past, presumably on their way to their car.

I pulled back with a sharp breath and stared down at him. Everything about him left me feeling dazed and stunned. His eyes gleamed up at me in the darkened cab. His hand slid from my neck, fingers threading through my hair, holding the strands back from my face.

He was mind-numbingly hot, but it was more than that. It was in his eyes, the intense way that he looked at me. Nothing about this was familiar. Nothing about the way we were with each other was like anything I had experienced. I was not in control. Of him. Or me.

“This is crazy,” I whispered.

He stared at me for a long moment, still holding the hair back from my face. The pulse of his palm beat against my cheek, in rhythm with my own racing heart, and it was as if I felt his life entwined with mine. Fanciful, crazy thought, but there it was.

His hand on my backside tightened and he dragged me closer until I felt the hard bulge of him directly between my legs. It made me gasp, but I didn’t pull back. In fact, I closed my eyes and arched my throat, letting myself sink against that delicious hardness.

“Where do you live?” His voice sounded hoarse and I recognized the feral light in his eyes for what it was. Need. For me. I guess I wasn’t so resistible after all. This sent deep female satisfaction pumping through me.

I gave him the address and crawled off his lap. He started the engine and turned on the wipers, clearing the thin sheet of snow. The side windows were fogged and I knew we were responsible for that. I hadn’t even noticed how cold it was while I was in his arms.

We slid each other long glances as he followed my directions and drove to my building. It was a shorter drive than last time, but still long enough for me to think. For my breathing to calm. For his hot glances to make me even more nervous. When he was kissing me it was impossible to think. Impossible to feel nervous. But now I could.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out.

Pepper:
U ok?

Me:
Yes. Headed home

Pepper:
Ok. Have fun

Me:
Thx

Have fun?
Did she think I was having wild monkey sex with Shaw? He was Reece’s friend. She was probably matchmaking in her head, plotting a slew of double dates.

By the time we reached campus, I knew what I had to do. I knew I had to say good-bye and make a break for it. Before this got any crazier and out of control.

“You can just drop me off right there.” I motioned to the front of my building. If that wasn’t clue enough that I was calling it a night, then I didn’t know what was.

“I’ll take you to your door,” he replied, his voice even and calm. Without argument.

“Really? You don’t need to do that.” I blinked as he pulled into a parking space.

He put the truck into park and killed the engine. He turned to face me, one arm sliding along the back of the seat, his fingertips lightly brushing my shoulder. “Five minutes ago we were all over each other. You couldn’t get enough of me. Now it’s like you can’t get away fast enough.”

I swallowed, unaccustomed to a guy calling me out so directly. “Don’t take it personally. That’s just what I do.”

He angled his head to study me and the motion reminded me of a predator evaluating its prey right before he devoured it. “What? Show a little interest and then bail? That’s what you do? There’s a word for that, you know.”

Against my better judgment, I asked, “Yeah? What?”

“It’s called a cocktease.”

I flinched. That accusation had been laid at my feet before. A few times. Annie called me that when I would fool around with a guy and then not go all the way. Yeah. She sucked. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle a little rejection? Maybe I just don’t want you.”

He grinned then like I had just said something amusing, and that annoyed me. “Right.”

Before I could respond to that bit of arrogance, he got out of the truck and went around to my side. Still wearing that infernal grin, he opened the door for me. I slid down, careful not to touch him.

I led the way, punching the code to open the front door. He stepped in after me. “You’re walking me all the way to my door?”

“Yep.”

“Fine.” I stopped in front of the elevator and punched the button to my floor. Crossing my arms over my chest, I sent him a guarded glance. “You’re not getting laid.”

He chuckled. “I’ve never met a girl to go hot to cold so fast.”

“Yeah, well, you just called me a cocktease. I don’t want you to have false expectations.”

“Understood.” There was a wealth of laughter laced in that single word.

The elevator dinged and we stepped off. And came face-to-face with Annie. I hadn’t seen her since she’d ditched me at Maisie’s.

“Emerson, how’s it going?” she greeted me, looking not the least guilty.

“Annie,” I returned.

Her gaze skipped to Shaw, sliding over him appreciatively. “Well, I can see you’re having a good night, Em.” She pulled back her shoulders. It was a move I had seen her do countless times. It thrust out her double Ds. She stepped closer, totally invading his space as she held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Annie and you look familiar.” She wagged her finger at him playfully.

He stared down at her hand, his face cold, and I knew he remembered her. The fact that he didn’t even accept her hand filled me with satisfaction. His gaze slid over her, but it wasn’t in a way that made me think he liked what he saw. Quite the opposite. That was a definite change. She never had any problem winning over guys. Annie’s smile vanished and she dropped her hand.

“You look familiar, too,” he replied. “You’re the
friend
who left Emerson stranded at Maisie’s.” The way he emphasized “friend” made it clear what he thought of her.

Her mouth parted in a small O of surprise. She took a small step back, relaxing her shoulders. “Yeah, well.” She turned a tight smile on me. “You’re just moving up in the world, Em.” She looked Shaw over now with decidedly less appreciation. “Hanging out with all sorts of interesting people.”

I nodded, staring at Shaw. “I’m definitely keeping better company these days.”

He smiled at me and a strange fluttering erupted in my belly. I looked back at Annie. Her cheeks flushed. With a sniff, she stepped around us and punched an elevator button. Still feeling her eyes on me, I slipped my hand around Shaw’s and led him down the hall. I swiped my door card and entered my room, releasing his hand.

My desk lamp glowed, saving the room from total blackness. Avoiding his gaze, I removed my jacket and hung it up in my criminally small closet, taking my time with the mundane task, struggling to slow my racing thoughts. I didn’t usually bring guys back home with me. It was letting them into my world. I fooled around plenty, but I didn’t want to wake up staring at some guy who should have taken the hint and left hours ago. And the thing that scared me the most in this situation was that I could see myself not wanting Shaw to leave. Assuming he wanted to stay over.
Oh. God
. Would you listen to me? It was like I was a love-struck teenager. Nothing was going to happen because I didn’t want it to happen. It was as simple as that.

Finally, when there was no delaying it further, I looked up. “Thanks,” I breathed, motioning to the door. “Annie . . . she’s a real bitch.”

“I take it you’re not hanging out with her anymore.” He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on my swivel chair. This only made my chest tighten. So he was staying. At least for a little while.

I nodded, maybe a little too fast. “No. Not anymore.” Was that high-pitched squeak my voice?

“Good.” He approached me with slow strides. With his long legs, it took about three steps for him to reach me in the small space of the room.

I held myself utterly still as he tucked a short strand of hair behind my ear. Even my lungs froze, unable to move air in and out. This close, all I could think about was kissing him again. The taste of him still lingered on my lips, and I just wanted to grab him by the back of the neck and slam my mouth over his again.
God
. I was a wreck around this guy.

He grazed my cheek with the rough pad of his thumb. “She’s not the kind of friend to have your back.”

I nodded again. “I-I know.”

He was so close now. I could make out the tiny gold-brown flecks in his eyes. “Do you want me to go, Emerson?” His voice was deep and low. He didn’t even need to speak. This close I could have read his lips.

I dragged a deep breath into my lungs through my nose, but that was a mistake. It only brought the clean, heady male scent of him in.

“N-no.”
What was I saying?

“You don’t sound that convinced.”

Because I wasn’t.
Being around him I didn’t even know myself anymore.

He dropped his hand from my face and stepped away. I leaned forward, chasing after that hand, almost falling. I staggered a step and stopped myself. He turned his attention to the suite, surveying it. His gaze trailed over Georgia’s side, rife with pictures of her family, Harris, me, and Pepper. Even her dog from back home graced his very own frame. It was easy to know which side was hers. Mine was less identifiable. Mine was just . . .
less
.

Naturally, I had a lot of color. Several bright pillows and my floral bedspread that looked like some kind of Georgia O’Keeffe painting. Postcards and posters of various art—some of my favorite pieces. There was only one picture. It was of me and Pepper and Georgia last year at Christmas. We had all piled onto Santa’s lap at the mall. And that was it. No family pictures. It would be a lie to have them and pretend I had a real family.

I’m sure he noted the lack of family pictures. It was in such opposition to Georgia’s side that showcased a great family. Even Pepper had a grandmother who loved her . . . and a father who had adored her before he passed away. She’d just drawn the short straw when it came to her mother.

I had parents, but I might as well have been an orphan for how alone I felt in the world.

“I guess this is your side?” He motioned to my purple and red floral bed.

I nodded, my heart constricting as he sank down on it. He spent his time studying my postcards and posters. He didn’t even look at me. I frowned. One minute he wanted to devour me and the next? Not so much.

I rubbed my perspiring palms against my thighs as he stared at a picture I had taped to the brick wall. I’d drawn it one day during my Biology class last semester. I was bored out of my mind. I had to take the course to meet my degree requirements, but I spent most of the time staring out the window. It was a simple pencil sketch on notebook paper.

I remember that day. It was still warm and nice outside. There had been a girl studying on the quad, her boyfriend across from her, their hands laced lightly together between them as they studied, heads bowed over their separate books. I didn’t know them, but there had been something so natural and intimate in the pose. So sweet and innocent. Even the cynic in me had responded and had ripped out a piece of paper and quickly started drawing them.