Damaged and the Outlaw (Damaged #4)

“The biters are the worst,” I muttered. “So you like watching chicks wrestle. Typical.”


“Bailey wanted to come,” he said, adjusting on the stool so he was sitting even closer. “She misses punching people.”

“I don’t blame her.”

As Vaughn studied my face, I acted like I didn’t care. It wasn’t easy though with his maleness so damn intoxicating. Yet, I was abstaining specifically from guys like him.

“I bet you’re a real heartbreaker,” he said, giving me a nearly irresistible smile.

“I’ve never broken a single heart,” I admitted. “I’ve broken more than a few noses and stomped on several ball sacks though.”

Vaughn’s grin widened. “Let me buy you a drink.”

“I have a drink.”

“Fine. Let me take you to a booth and sweet talk your sexy ass into my bed tonight.”

“I’m abstaining from fucking guys like you.”

“Guys like me? You mean, sexy bastards that’ll make you scream their names?”

“Yeah, basically.”

As he slid a bit closer, I caught a whiff of his cologne. Smelling like chocolate, the scent was bait to any self-respecting woman. Like a moth to the flame, I had the worst urge to give him a lick and get a taste.

“Why don’t we just talk then?” he said soft and seductive. “We share friends. Let’s get acquainted, so it won’t be awkward at the crew get-togethers.”

“Crew?”

“It’s what Tucker calls the group. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but most of the crew is hooked up with someone. If we’re going to play solo, we might as well become friends.”

“I don’t have guy friends. Just don’t believe in it. The only thing men have to offer is what I’m abstaining from.”

A smirking Vaughn took my drink and gestured towards the nearby empty booth. “You and I are in the same boat with the crew. So I guess you’re going to have guy friends whether you like it or not.”

Despite my brain screaming for me to run from the bar and never look back, I followed Vaughn to the booth. He leaned back and stretched out his long legs.

“This is nice. Two friends being friendly,” he said.

Rolling my eyes, I sipped my drink and ignored his cocky smile.

“How long has it been?” he asked, tapping my sandal with his boot. “The abstaining thing.”

Crossing my arms under my tits, I tightened them and pushed up the girls for him to admire. I always loved teasing boys.

“I bet you’ve banged a girl recently. Like I could probably smell her on you, if I got close enough,” I grumbled, remembering how he smelled like chocolate and I had a sweet tooth. “You’re likely crawling with germs.”

Instead of finding offense, Vaughn watched me in a weird way. His lids lowered as the corners of his mouth lifted. A sly look on his face, Vaughn ran his tongue along his top teeth.

“I have a system,” he said softly. “After I hook up with a random chick, I shower with a big bottle of Purell. One of those economy-sized ones.”

Even smiling, I kicked his foot away from mine. “I’m a bath person myself. Just fill up the tub with really hot water then toss in a cap of bleach plus a few bubbles and I’m set.”

“Gotta have bubbles,” he said in a deep low voice.

“What are you doing?”

Vaughn shook his head, yet his gaze held mine. “Just admiring your beautiful smile.”

Rolling my eyes again, I sighed. “Lame.”

“I know. I really do. I use that line a lot, but it’s true with you. That smile changes your face. Makes you less sex kitten and more angel.”

“I’m no angel.”

“What a relief. I don’t like good girls.”

“I didn’t say I was bad.”

Vaughn sucked at his lower lip and sized me up with those eyes. “You didn’t have to, kitten.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Sugar?” he said, grinning brighter now. “Your sister didn’t like my nickname for her either.”

“Why would you give my sister a nickname?”

“Don’t be jealous. I like giving girls nicknames. Even girls I don’t want to spend time inside.”

“I can’t believe those lines ever work.”

“They don’t. Girls are drawn to my looks, not my personality.”

Snorting, I begged myself to stop smiling. “And you’re proud of this fact?”

“I’m proud of very little, pumpkin.”

“Keep trying.”

When Vaughn spotted someone and his smile faded, I followed his gaze to Beavis and Butthead.

“You’re insecure,” I said, kicking his foot lightly. “I find that sexy in a guy. Too bad I’m abstaining.”

Vaughn finally returned his gaze to me where it mellowed. “Why abstain exactly?”

“I told you.”

“If these past guys were losers, seems like you could just abstain from relationships. Why abstain from fucking? You frigid?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“I sense that about you,” he said, giving me a sly grin. “Betcha couldn’t handle a guy like me.”

“Reverse psychology. Really? I expected more from you.”

“I do what I need to.”

“Fuck another girl. There are a few hot ones in the corner.”

“Saw them then I saw you. Now, I can’t look away.”