Hell, he can’t land a date with Rene Ballinger. This can’t be right. I have to go investigate.
***
Ashiara
Billy is so worried about me being Tagged. He’s just a hot guy, and he’s obviously a player. I mean, really. Two dates? I can refuse my carnal desires, considering he has two girls already with him. That's just gross.
Rene’s eyes keep circling back to us, and I just nestle my head against Billy’s shoulder a little more as he speaks to one of his old friends.
“It was really nice to meet you, Ashiara,” the sweet blond guy murmurs softly.
“You too, Blake.”
He smiles, and his eyes inadvertently find my very pumped cleavage. Perhaps Billy was right about this dress being a little much. Very few male eyes are staying above my neckline.
“Oh shit,” Billy murmurs under his breath.
“What?” I ask while rising up, but he doesn’t have to answer my question himself.
It’s answered when I see the guy whose very sight makes me tremble, shiver, and breathe in harsh breaths.
Damn. I wish Billy had elaborated on how hot Tag is. I could have prepared myself a little better.
His dark hair is sexily tousled, and his icy blue eyes are heart-stopping and delicious.
I wish he still had on his glasses.
“What’s up, Bity?” the seductive voice asks, making my wobbly knees feel all the more like jelly.
That’s not fair.
No guy should look like that, smell like that, have money, and sound that sexy. It’s just not good for equilibrium.
“Yeah. Care to call me Billy this weekend? Like you promised you would." Billy huffs.
“Of course, sorry. Old habits,” he insincerely murmurs while raking his eyes over my body.
Please stop looking at me like that.
When our eyes lock, I'm worried neither of us will look away. This weekend is going to be torture if he doesn't stop giving me that damn look.
Then his twin set of bimbos join us, and I snap out of my trance.
“So cool you had to bring two dates?” Billy scoffs, his distaste and envy sliding off his tongue.
Tag smirks, his eyes still holding my gaze as he replies, “Actually, one was for you. I never planned on you having a date. I thought I’d be generous and bring an extra.”
I take a deep breath, my heart’s beat becoming erratic and crazy. He won’t stop staring! It's been too long without a source of release to endure this smoldering gaze for much longer.
“As you can see, I’ve got the prettiest girl at the party,” Billy proudly boasts, and my cheeks redden instantly.
I’ll kick your ass later for that, Billy Prize.
“I see that. I’m assuming you two are just friends,” Tag adds suspiciously, his eyes studying mine for waver.
“We’ve been friends since our sophomore year at high school, but we decided to start dating a few days ago. We’re going to test drive our new relationship this weekend and see how it goes,” Billy answers with his rehearsed speech.
“I see,” Tag says with a grin. “So nothing serious, then?”
The way he’s looking at me is so carnal, so predatory. It’s enough to make the knot in my throat too big to swallow against.
“Not yet, but it will be,” Billy quickly adds, his arm sliding around my waist as he pretends to stake his claim.
Remembering why I’m here, I slip my arm around him, and then I lean in to kiss him on his cheek. Tag’s smile lifts up slightly as one of his giggling bimbos returns with a whiskey for him. His eyes don’t leave me though, further complicating my crumbling state.
“I need to go to the restroom,” I say with a surprisingly smooth, unshaken, unaffected tone.
I have to go compose myself. It’s been too damn long, and this isn’t the type a guy I need to be around.
“Leaving so soon?” Tag asks. “I haven’t even had the pleasure of making introductions.”
“Ash,” I quickly murmur, seeming dismissive and disengaging in my brisk tone.
“Well, Ash, do you have a last name?”
“Brander-”
Before I can finish, Melanie comes running toward us with a shrill pitch.
“You crazy kids! Ashiara, I just spoke to you. Why didn’t you tell me the two of you were finally dating?” she squeals as she throws her arms around me, almost suffocating me instantly with her clingy, jovial embrace.
Tag’s face tightens, his playful grin dissipating, as if he never believed I was with Billy until right now.
I laugh as I hug her back, and then a pang of guilt hits. She’s always wanted us together, but Billy and I have zero chemistry in that sort of way. Now I feel bad for being so deceptive.
“You’ll cut off all her air, Mother,” Billy teases.