Sixteen. Drunk. And totally fuckin’ vulnerable.
Staring down at her now, a grown woman, she’s the picture of innocence. All big brown eyes and pouty lips. And this woman has been through some shit. The kind of shit that changes a person forever, and rewrites the grand plan of who she’s supposed to become. All so some horny teenage kid could get his dick wet at a party. Probably showin’ off for his crew of walking hard-ons. If Layla was even a tenth of the beauty she is now, she must’ve had those boys following her around for years before they finally got her drunk enough for a chance. The second he got the stumbling-drunk green light, that motherfu—
“Thanks for understanding… ya know…. everything.” She fidgets, and her eyes look everywhere but at me. “Sorry about busting up your plans.”
“Plans?” I blink and try to clear the image of a teenage Layla, broken and alone.
Her cheeks flush pink. “The parking lot? Thanks for being so cool about it.”
“It’s not the first time a good-looking woman has pulled me away from a chick.” I internally groan, my attempt at humor only making me look like a bigger jackass.
But I can’t tell her the truth. That the only reason I hooked up with that chick was because she looked a little like Layla. She’d never understand that being around her makes me feel like I’m caged, ripping at my skin to get to her.
Layla pulling me away from that girl did me a favor. Although she looked a lot like Layla, she didn’t smell like the sweet vanilla that makes my mouth water. She didn’t throw sass or give me the attitude that makes my dick hard. Once I got the girl alone, all I wanted to do was get rid of her.
“Whatever.” She holds up her hand. “Again, not my business.”
No, but why do I wish like hell it was?
We stroll in silence down to the car, and then drive to her house. It’s quiet in the Rubicon except for the sound of Lagwagon as it fills the vacant space. Her apartment complex is dark, most of the security lights in need of new bulbs. I grind my teeth as I imagine her and Axelle making the trek from the lot to the stairs at night. Alone.
I park the Rubicon and hop out to walk around to her door.
She’s already out. “I’ve got it from here.”
“I’m walking you up.” I make it a point to lock eyes with her, daring her to argue.
Shrugging her purse onto her shoulder, her lips curl into a smile. “That’s very chivalrous of you.”
“I am chivalrous.” Fuck. Why did that sound so defensive?
I never gave a second thought to the way women see me. They like what they see, they let me know. They don’t? No sweat off my sac. Don’t remember ever having a lack of women ready and available.
But for some reason, Layla’s opinion matters. She’s implied I have no honor and that I’m not a gentleman. Her assumptions aren’t far from the truth. This is just the first time that I wished she wasn’t right. And why is that?
She lifts one eyebrow and tilts her head. “You’re chivalrous?” The sound of her tapping boot against the pavement pounds along with the throb in my chest. I’m overcome with the urge to prove her right. Show her that I’m an asshole by taking that sweet mouth like I’ve wanted to since we met. Not giving her the option to say no. Turning her objections into needy moans.
Maybe if I kiss her thoroughly enough, she’ll forget her opinion of me. Or maybe I’ll prove her point. Either way, I win.
I jerk my head toward the stairs. “Let’s get you inside. It’s late.”
Walking to her door, I guide her up with my hand on her lower back. She flashes a shy smile that has my heart hammering. After she unlocks the door, I follow in behind her.
I turn on the light in her kitchen and living room. “Axelle home?”
Her gaze swings to the digital clock on the stove. “She’d better be.”
“Go check. I’ll wait.”
She moves down the hallway, and I check the rooms and windows. Everything looks good and locked up tight.
“Yeah, she’s asleep.” Her whispered words come out with a yawn.
Her wide-open mouth, pink tongue, and full lips pull me in. I move toward her, eyes locked on hers. “Good.”
She watches me, curiosity etched in her expression. “Um… so…”
I lick my lips, hoping she gets my intention loud and clear. “So…”
Panic sparks in her eyes. Her body tenses, and she rolls her lips between her teeth. She doesn’t want this.
I freeze and drop my gaze to the floor, feeling like a complete ass. “Right. Lock up after I leave.”
She exhales hard, a small smile back on her face. Is that… relief? Fuck me.