14. Zayne
CHAPTER 14
Zayne
M y fingers clench the steering wheel as I drive past the country club to my dad’s bar. I don’t know why the fuck I’m torturing myself like this. I went out of my way for what? Pain and misery.
Stopping at the red light, my jaw clenches as I watch Delaney climb from the limo. That fucking asshole didn’t even hold the door for her.
She looks gorgeous in that sexier-than-hell red dress that clings to her curves. I still have the picture of her wearing it in the dressing room. I’ve beaten off to it more times than I can count.
Her thick, brown hair hangs in long ringlets down her back. My dick stirs in my pants as I think about the number of times I’ve run my fingers through those silky locks, my lips against hers. Or fisted the strands while she sucked my cock, or while I pounded into her from behind.
Fuck. I want her so goddamn bad .
And I know she wants me, too. It’s her fucking father that stands between us.
Agony and rage rip through me like a knife, filleting my heart. I drink her in, envy filling me. I should be her date, not Tim.
The unhappiness on her face hurts almost as much as Tim slinging his arm over her shoulders. Even from here, I see her tense, her lips pursing together. He doesn’t notice since he is joking with his friends who flank them.
When Delaney is around, she’s all I see.
When the light turns green, I look in my rearview mirror. No one is behind me, so I let my truck idle, silently pleading for her to look at me. That’s all it would take for me to blow off work, rescuing her from his clutches.
I don’t give a fuck about him or his friends. Without a bat, the three of them are useless.
But she continues staring at the sidewalk, lost in her misery.
It takes every bit of strength I possess to press the gas and drive away from her.
It’s for the best. Graduation is a few weeks away. Maybe you can convince her to leave town and live with you.
The thought makes my heart squeeze inside my chest. Imagine waking up to Delaney’s beautiful face every morning before burying my cock deep inside her. I’d treat her like the fucking princess she is, doing everything in my power to make her life easier.
But would it be enough? How would I support her, let alone give her the kind of life she’s used to?
I push the thoughts away, knowing I’m getting ahead of myself. Delaney and I have never discussed a future together. Maybe she doesn’t want anything long-term with me.
When has that ever stopped you?
My thoughts swirl as I drive to my dad’s bar on autopilot. I regret agreeing to work a few hours tonight in the hopes that it would distract me from thinking about Delaney and Tim at the prom tonight.
The image of her dancing in that worthless prick’s arms clouds my head, making me see red.
Yeah, I’m doing well not thinking about them.
Maybe the bar will be busy, and I’ll be too busy to think of them.
Sure, asshole. Keep living in denial.
Three hours later, my knuckles are white as I once again drive toward the country club. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I don’t have a tux, a corsage, or anything. Yet, here I am, pulling into the parking lot.
It’s official. I’m incapable of rational thought. Delaney Warner makes me lose my goddamn mind.
Before I change my mind, I shove the door of my truck open and hop out. My long strides carry me to the door.
What the hell am I doing? There’s no way her father won’t find out about me interrupting the prom to steal Delaney away from Tim.
Opening the door, I hurry inside, attracting attention as I stride through the room in a pair of black slacks and a button-down shirt, my gaze scouring the room, searching for her.
“Zayne.” Callie runs toward me in a little black dress and black heels, her blue eyes frantic. “Something happened. Delaney ran out of here and isn’t responding to my texts or phone calls.” Her hand over her heaving chest.
“What do you mean, something happened?”
“Tim was drunk and acted like an asshole. He grabbed her and dragged her across the room. I don’t know what he said, but Delaney got pissed and punched him in the nose before running out of here.”
“My minx punched that bastard? Hell, yeah.”
A smile flashes across Callie’s face before it fades, changing to worry. “By the time I shoved my way through the crowd gathered around Tim, she was gone.” Grabbing my arm, her eyes plead with mine. “She’s out there, in the dark, alone?—”
“I’ve gotta find her.” I extract her hand from my arm, not giving a fuck about anything except finding my girl.
I sprint from the room and push out the doors. My wide eyes dart around, searching the grounds, but I don’t see her.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dial her number, but she doesn’t answer.
Fat raindrops fall onto my head as I sprint to my truck and jump inside. Firing up the engine, I shoot out of the parking lot, my thoughts churning. I didn’t see her as I drove here, so that must mean she’s heading in the opposite direction.
My headlights cut through the darkness as I call her again. The rain is coming down harder. I turn my wipers on, leaning forward as I scan the street. Come on, Delaney. Where are you?
Fear and worry battle for dominance when she doesn’t answer.
I head toward her house, assuming that’s where she may be heading.
Ten minutes later, I spotted her red dress. She’s wet and shivering as she walks, her hair soaked from the rain.
Relief fills me as I pull beside her and throw my truck in park. She looks up, mascara running in rivulets down her cheeks, fear contorting her face. When her gaze locks with mine, it turns to relief.
I’m out of the truck, running to her, and lifting her in my arms. She clings to me, sobbing against my shirt.
“Fuck, Delaney. You scared the hell outta me.” I plant kisses on her head, squeezing her to me. “Thank God I found you.”
“Zayne. How are you here?” She pulls back, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
“Doesn’t matter right now. All I care about is you. Are you hurt?”
She shakes her head, then winces as she adjusts her hand on my neck. “Well, my hand hurts from punching Tim. Otherwise, I’m fine.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you.” My lips capture hers, not caring about the rain. I’m just so relieved she’s okay.
When we part, she releases a breathless laugh. “That asshole deserved it.”
Adjusting her in my arms, I carry her bridal style to the passenger side of my truck. “I don’t know what he did, but I couldn’t agree more.” Opening the door, I set her inside.
I run around to the driver’s side and hop inside.
Twisting around, I pat the seat, searching for my gym bag. “I have a towel… Ah-ha. Here it is.” Grabbing the duffle bag, I unzip it and retrieve the towel. Tossing the bag into the back, I begin drying Delaney’s face.
She grabs my wrist, stopping me. “Thank you.” The gratitude mixed with love shimmering on her face, illuminated by the dashboard lights, takes my breath away.
“You don’t have to thank me. I do things for you because I want to.”
“I know. That’s what makes you so special.” She pushes the hand holding the towel onto my lap and leans over, her lips meeting mine.
God. The feel of this woman’s lips on mine. It’s euphoria and nirvana all at once.
A smile curls her lips when she pulls back. “Take me somewhere we can be alone.”
“As you wish.”