Wild Temptation (Wild, #1)(69)

“It doesn’t matter if he does. We’re not in a relationship, Day. He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Okay. Like you once said to me, when you’ve come to your senses, we’ll revisit this conversation.”

I turn to her, but she studiously avoids me. Her eyes peruse the dance floor, pretending to look everywhere but at Tyler. Pretending because that’s the only place she’s looking. Because I know she’ll neuter the prick if he so much as lets his hand brush the top of the bitch’s ass.

“I’m not sure what you want me to say.” I sip my drink again.

“I want you to admit the truth. You’re as closed off as I once was. It’s how we lived, honey. But the Stone men don’t take that shit. Tyler will tear you apart until the only thing you can do is admit how you feel while the tears roll down your face.”

“Reassuring.” Sip.

“It’s the truth. That man wants you. He’s staring at you right now. Wishing he could be over here with you instead of dancing with this…whoever the hell she is.”

“Of course he is.” Sip.

She snatches the glass from me and sets it on the bar. “Seriously, Liv? Pull your fucking head from your ass. I can’t tell you how he feels, but he. Wants. You. Only you. And you feel exactly the frigging same. Yeah, your past is a little fucked. Yeah, you’re scared about how this shit will affect everyone else if the events leading to the fucked-upness happen again. But you know what, sweetie? You need to stop thinking about everyone else and start thinking about yourself.”

I lick my lips. “Not with him. He’s dangerous, Day. He’s the one thing I could give in to wholeheartedly, but he’s the one thing I could end up regretting more than anything.”

“And he’s the one thing you could end up treasuring more than anything.”

“Where’s my cynical best friend and what have you done with her?”

“She remembered what it’s like to be in love.” She smiles. “And she sees the same opportunity for you and wants it for you, too.”

“So much for warning me off him, right?” I grab my glass. Sip.

She grins. “Give in, Liv. For one night, give in to him and let him show you everything you’re missing.”

I smirk at her words. Oh, I do. I have—several times. I’ve submitted and I’ve given in, and I’m willing to give more. I’m willing to give him everything I have—physically. Mentally and emotionally? Well, we’ll work on that. When I hear from his mouth that it’s more than just physical.

I won’t let myself believe it until he tells me himself this is more than just a bunch of kinky-ass sex.

And I hate how right she is. That’s why you should never have a best friend, for the record. They see the bullshit you don’t and they can tease you into believing with your words.

The only problem is that, while staring at that handsome British man slowly trying to step away from the woman across him, I want to. Believe him. I want to believe every word he whispers in my ear and mumbles against my lips. I just wish it weren’t so hard to give someone your everything when a part of you believes you’re their nothing.

Mercifully, the song ends and Tyler finally disengages himself from Brunette Bitch. He crosses the room forcefully, determinedly. When he reaches me, his hands find my back and my neck. He draws me to him, his mouth hot against mine. Certain and determined. Knowing and seductive.

I melt into him. There’s nothing else I can do. My hands curl around the lapels of his jacket and pull him to me as firmly as he’s holding my body against his.

Tyler Stone is everything I forbid myself from.

He is the only thing I’ve ever truly fought myself from. And I fear, deep down to my bones, that my fight is as futile as that of an ant’s against a footstep.

I tremble when he touches me. It’s a quiver I feel throughout my body. He has a deadly kiss. One that could end me as quickly as it enlightens me.

“Don’t ever make me do that again,” he hisses into my ear.

“I won’t,” I answer truthfully.

Do I ever want to see him with his arms around another woman? No. Not at fucking all.

“Good,” he replies. He wraps both of his arms around me and holds me tight to him. “I’m punishing you for that, by the way.”

“I’m not sure your idea of punishing is synonymous with mine.” My hands fist his jacket as I mumble into his chest.

“You’ll find out later.” He turns his face to mine and brushes his lips against my temple.

His hold on me is so strong and steady that I couldn’t break away if I tried. If I wanted to—which I don’t. There’s comfort in being enveloped against his firm body. I’m not a cuddler, not really, but I’d happily stay in Tyler’s arms and be cuddled by him for hours.