Stu slurred something incoherent, poured another shot down his throat, and swallowed dramatically.
It was then that I spotted her. Ignoring Stu’s rant, I turned to face her. She was holding Julian's hand as she walked, and Delaney was to her left. She looked as if she belonged in a beauty magazine. Her hair was down in long loose curls that made me want to grab them at her nape. Oblivious to my own girlfriend, I watched from afar as she and Julian exchanged words. She slid her coat off her shoulders.
Fuck.
I begged my dick to stay down.
When Julian stormed away, I knew he was pissed and I know exactly why. In the few months I’d known Brielle, I’d never seen her in such a provocative dress. It made her legs look miles long even though she was petite. Brielle always looked innocent.
Until tonight.
I strolled over to them and was greeted with Delaney’s attitude. One glance from her and I knew to stay away until she had a few drinks. Ignoring the desire to be near Brielle, I let them go and focused on the party.
A few hours later, I spotted a happy Brielle on the dance floor. I knew she was a bit intoxicated as her eyes were glassed over and her cheeks were flushed. At first I was pissed because she was wandering the house alone, but then I realized she was alone.
Julian had left and Delaney had disappeared.
She smiled when she looked up at me, and I thought I would have a few moments with her, but then I was called away to take pictures. I only hoped that Brielle would still be alone when I returned.
But Brielle surprised me when she got in line to greet Santa. She stood, gnawing her lips until she was called to sit on my lap.
“Have you been naughty or nice?” I asked. Her legs pressed against mine and I felt my erection grow. Resting my hands on the small of her back, I tried to focus on the task at hand. There was no way she couldn’t feel what she was doing to me.
“I want to be very naughty,” she whispered.
She’d crossed the line we’d both been dancing around for the past few months. She was drunk and her inhibitions were gone.
“Naughty?” I dared to ask. “I can help you with that.” I locked my gaze with hers.
“I need some air.”
I guided her out and to the side of the house. Shielding her from any bystanders, I desperately waited for the right moment to kiss her. I was almost there, mere inches from her lips. I ran my nose up her cheek, inhaling her scent.
It was then she got sick and the timing was ruined.
I held her hair as she emptied the contents of her stomach on the grass. Even puking she looked adorable. Her eyes were watery and her lips puckered in repulsion. “I need to go home.”
Brushing my hands through her hair, I cursed fate. She was the girl I wanted. “Come on, let's go.”
Within five minutes, I had her in my car and was heading toward her dorm. “Do you need to puke again?” She sat in the front seat, her gaze on the road.
“No, I need gum.” She searched for a piece until she found my pack in the center console. “I can’t believe I puked. I’m so embarrassed.” She covered her face. “It’s a good thing I won't remember this tomorrow.”
“You won’t?”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “And because you’re my best friend, you have to never mention this night to me.”
“Really?” Since she seemed better, I decided to take the long way to her dorm.
“Yep. Julian is an ass, and Delaney left me. You’re all I have.”
“Delaney is probably knocked out in my bedroom,” I muttered when we got to a red light.
Brielle turned and faced me. “Can I tell you a secret?” Her words were meshed together. I nodded. “Pinky promise you won’t tell anyone?” She held up her pinky. I nodded again. “I kind of really hate the fact you’re with her,” she whispered. “I’m jealous she has you.”
Her words were music to my ears. “Can I tell you a secret, too?” I whispered. Her eyes widened and she nodded. “I really hate that you’re with Julian.”
Her gaze locked with mine until the asshole behind me beeped. The car was silent until she spoke a few minutes later. “You don’t have a right to be mad. Besides, we broke up after Thanksgiving. It’s not like I slept with him.” She shrugged.
“You broke up?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn't care to tell me?”
“Nope. I wanted you to feel a bit jealous.” She leaned her head on the seat and looked at me. “I like making you jealous because you do it to me. You’ve marked her as yours, and I hate it when she doesn’t come home because she’s with you.”
“So you do like me?”