Just a Little Crush(40)
Fallon appeared next to me. “Whoa, what’s up with Mr. Fuckable? He looks like he wants to kill those guys. Then get you naked.”
I shook my head. “Only you could end every Ryder-related thought with that.”
The group of guys dispersed and Fallon whined to Ryder, “Seriously, man? You ran off our fan club.” She mock glared, but he didn’t look amused.
He shifted his gaze. My body got all sorts of hot as he took in every inch of me, slowly. By the time our eyes met, I suspected he really did want to get me naked. Which made me grin.
Mel, who apparently had gone on a beer run, handed me a can. I popped it open and took a gulp. Some of it splashed out and dripped down my chest.
“Hey, Ryder, want to lick it off?” Fallon asked as she waggled her eyebrows.
I swatted her but couldn’t hide the smile. “Shut up.” Just as I finished drying my chest, someone shoved me toward him.
“Dance with him already,” Leena said.
I slammed into Ryder, managing to contain most of my beer but part of it did spill on his shirt. “Sorry.” I grinned. “Don’t worry, I won’t lick it off either.”
“You’re drunk.”
“You’re hot.”
His lips parted and I laughed. “Oh, sorry. I thought we were playing the point-out-the-obvious game.”
He took my can of beer and set it down.
“Hey,” I protested. “I was drinking that. Geez, so I might be a little drunk.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ve had enough and you’ll thank me when you don’t finish your night with your head hanging in a toilet.”
I’d seen enough hangovers to know I probably didn’t want one. “Fine. If I can’t drink, can I at least dance?”
“Sure,” he said.
I turned back to my friends, but he hooked his arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest.
With his lips pressed to my ear, he whispered, “With me.”
“If you say so.” I made little swaying motions with my hips, rubbing myself against him. His grip tightened on my waist. I smiled, pleased at how quickly I could turn him on. Where was Paige now? “So where’s your girlfriend?”
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
Fallon and Leena laughed, twirling around the floor, and I wanted to be a part of their fun. Not rubbing up against a guy who screwed everything in a dress…but me.
“You know,” I said, and started to walk away but my body was jerked back mid-step.
“Not so fast.” Ryder’s arm snaked around my waist. He turned me and flattened my body to his chest. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Oh, wait. That’s right, you don’t do girlfriend. What should I call her, then?”
“Call who?”
“The girl. The one you left me for. Twice.”
“Twice,” he repeated. A small smile began to take shape on his insanely kissable mouth.
“Mm-hmm.”
“Are you jealous?” he asked.
“Of course I’m jealous. Wouldn’t you be if the person you liked chose someone else over you?”
His smile stretched. “The person you like?”
“Yeah.”
“I’d be more than jealous.”
“Well, I’m not angry. I mean, she’s beautiful, so I’m not surprised.” I shrugged.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Not like that.”
“Well, if you’re referring to the girl with me at Amy’s Pho, then I can assure you I don’t find her attractive.”
“But she’s—”
“My sister.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.” He brushed my hair back and tucked it behind my ear.
“What was going on at the restaurant?”
His smile vanished. “Just some stuff.”
“Like what? Not to sound conceited but I feel like somehow I’m a part of this stuff.”
“I’m handling it.”
“I have no idea what that even means.” My palm was pressed against his chest and I brushed my finger over where his tattoo lay hidden under his shirt.
“It means I screwed up but I’m gonna fix it.”
“Still no clue.” I ran my hand up his chest to his shoulder. I drew little circles on his neck with my fingernail. “You should probably elaborate.”
His voice deepened as he asked, “How much have you drunk tonight?”
“Um.” I traced his jawline with my fingertip as I counted. “Two tequila shots. Then three beers. Oh, and one more tequila shot. Fallon carries a flask if you want one.” I brushed my thumb over his lip ring. “Did this hurt?”
“I like pain.” He turned his head and kissed my thumb. My body heated as his tongue flicked against my skin.