CHAPTER 43
Celebration Gone Wrong
Gabriela
We were running late to the after-party and it was entirely my boyfriend’s fault.
After his game, we went to our respective homes to get ready. But the minute I entered his apartment, all dolled up, Hunter was unable to keep his hands off me.
“Let’s skip the party,” he growled in my ear from behind, pinning my front to his door and trapping me in a fortress of muscles. He kissed my neck and nipped my bare shoulder. “We can have our own right here.”
“T-the party is for the Panthers and you’re the star player,” I stuttered. “We can’t not go, Hunt.”
“We can if I say so.” Impatient hands kneaded my ass, spanking it hard. “Especially when you wear a dress that messes with my sanity.”
“You don’t like it?” I teased. “Should I change?”
It was a blood-red, skin-tight, backless minidress with a giant bow on my derrière since my ass was a gift and he was going to unwrap me later tonight. I paired it with matching stilettos, a heart-shaped choker necklace, and wore my hair in loose curls.
“Don’t you dare,” he warned, dragging open-mouthed kisses down the healing serpent tattoo on my spine. I shivered. “You look beautiful. Fuck, I can’t wait to have you all to myself.”
“We don’t have to be there for long, bello.”
“One hour.”
“Three hours.”
“Two hours,” he countered huskily. “Then you’re mine.”
My bargaining skills needed some help, but so did Hunter’s compromising ones. Because the heated looks he cast me on our way to the party made it abundantly clear we wouldn’t even last the hour.
Josh and Layla’s brownstone was crawling with Vesta University athletes celebrating tonight’s win by the time we arrived, twenty minutes late. Loud music, laughter, and cheers ribboned the ambiance. The second we crossed the threshold, Hunter was instantly engulfed by his teammates.
Anna and Layla grabbed my arm and veered me in the opposite direction.
My fingers unwove from Hunter’s and I called out, “Find me later?”
He looked like he didn’t want to let go of me. “I will.”
It was Hunter’s night and I wanted him to have fun with his friends before I stole him all for myself.
The girls hedged me into the main living room, where the rest of our friends waited. I hugged Ella, Dacia, Darla, and Hera, then a flute with sparkling apple juice and a chocolate-covered strawberry—courtesy of chef Layla—were thrust into my hands.
I munched on my snack while us girls chatted, pausing occasionally to congratulate the passing by football players on the win.
“Lay, I love what you’ve done with your home,” Darla commented to our hostess, brown eyes glancing appreciatively at our surroundings. “You have impeccable taste. I’m especially partial to the grand piano. It really brings the place together.”
Layla smiled, passing a hand over the skirt of her light-yellow maxi dress. “Thanks, Darla. Josh let me have full creative control. It took a few months to find all the pieces, but”—she too passed an admiring eyeful around their space—“I’m satisfied with the outcome.”
“You should be.” Darla tucked a black strand escaping her usual chignon back in place. “Dacia and I were talking about how we’ve got two spare bedrooms at our home that are in desperate need of a redecoration. Would you be up for the task?”
“I’m not an interior designer by any means, but I’m more than happy to help.”
Our conversation came to a halt when Idris, another fellow student from Vesta University, joined our group to say hi to Hera and introduce himself to us.
Hera met him recently and they were in the talking stage, so she invited him tonight.
He was polite and had a charming demeanour. She genuinely liked him.
Idris said something that made Hera throw her head back in laughter.
Unable to help myself, my gaze darted towards the other end of the room, where a group of athletes popped open a champagne bottle in celebration, Josh naturally at the helm of it all.
Shaun stood amongst them.
But he wasn’t participating in their shenanigans.
Instead, his cold blue eyes were fixed on Hera and Idris, the drink in his hand looking like it was seconds from shattering.
Truth be told, I always thought there was something between Hera and Shaun. The sweet smiles. The soft glances. The easy camaraderie. The…occasional flirting.
Right now, Hera didn’t notice Shaun, completely riveted by Idris.
Eventually, Cade came to snatch up Ella because he was a needy boyfriend who couldn’t be left alone for longer than fifteen minutes. Dacia, Hera, and Idris wandered off to stare at some artwork. Layla and Darla were still exchanging interior design notes, which left Anna and me alone.
My best friend pensively sipped her drink.
“I love what you’ve done with your hair,” I said. It was in a Brigitte Bardot style updo, with tendrils of her blond hair framing her face. Glittery statement earrings hung down the sides of her neck and she wore a short sequin dress in her signature pink. “It’s a vibe.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, but it was faint and I sensed her nervousness. “I wanted to try something new.”
Anna used to enjoy socializing and being the life of the party, once upon a time. Now she only made the effort when it was an important occasion. Like tonight. She was doing her best to get reacquainted with going out and enjoying her life again.
I squeezed her hand to silently tell her that I was proud of her.
Her stiff posture relaxed and she squeezed back, letting me know she’d needed this reassurance.
Eventually, when her eyes steered over the other side of the room and held long enough, I followed her line of sight to see what had captured her attention…
And noticed Sam standing against a wall, talking to another football player.
As if he felt her gaze on him, his head turned slightly.
Anna’s eyes flared and she gulped at being caught.
He gave her a half smile and a playful, acknowledging wink.
Taking a page out of Josh’s matchmaking book, I inserted, “Why don’t you go over there and congratulate him on the big win?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because he just won a championship?” I supplied. “And because he’s into you?”
And you’re kind of into him too.
“He’s not into me,” Anna denied. “Like I said before, he doesn’t really know me—”
“What are you girls talking about?”
“Nothing!” we said in unison when Josh ambushed us from behind and threw his arms around our shoulders.
“Where’s my congrats? I just won a championship and I deserve to be showered in praise.”
“Congratulations!” I said on cue. “Happy for you, Joshy!”
Anna, on the other hand, said, “My goodness, Josh. You’re so humble. I wonder where you get it from?”
“From my daddy.”
Anna rolled her eyes good-naturedly at his response and I snorted. Vance Remington was the furthest thing from humble. “Right.”
“Keep antagonizing me and I’ll call Sam over. Then you’ll have to congratulate us both,” he volleyed back, wiggling his brows. “Oh, by the way, I’m also here to assuage your fears.”
Anna eyed him skeptically. “What fears are those?”
“Sam is not into Dacia—he’s into you. So your jealousy streak can rest at bay.”
Anna paled. “Wait, what are you talking about?”
“For your sake, I flat out asked Sam and he confirmed they’re just friends.” Josh shrugged. “And I did tell him that you would be up for a triple date with Layla, me, Gabby, and Hunter…if he joined.”
Oh my God.
Josh had a death wish.
Anna took a deep breath and the bright grin on her face was akin to the one she wore when she won her many pageant awards. But underneath, she was bristling. Without breaking composure, she muttered through clenched teeth, “Josh, I’m going to fucking kill you.”
“You can’t kill me. I’m too pretty to die young. Let a guy live a little, why don’t you?”
“I’m giving you a head start by counting to three. Run.”
Obviously, Anna was kidding. She wasn’t actually going to harm him.
Nonetheless, Josh backed away slowly, raising his hands.
“Listen to me, Anna. Experiencing emotions is a normal, healthy part of being a human. It’s okay that you felt jealous.
I, in fact, feel jealousy all the time when another man looks at my Layla.
Makes me want to tear their eyes out. I don’t always act on the impulse.
I mean, maybe I have once. I’m only human after all.
The point is, it’s totally okay to be attracted to my friend and want to explore this—fuck! ”
He broke out into boyish laughter when Anna advanced towards him. He practically ran over to Layla, interrupting her conversation with Darla, and used her as a shield to protect himself.
“I’m kidding! I didn’t say shit! I’m just teasing you!” he yelled, still laughing. He was drawing a crowd. “Layla, save me! Anna’s trying to kill me!”
As always, Josh found enjoyment in riling the people in his vicinity.
“Whatever you did or said, I’m sure you deserved it.” Layla mock-sighed but still braced her arms back to protect him. It was comical. He was twice her size and towered over her, yet she was defending him. “Anna, I’m sorry on behalf of Josh. Will you please forgive him?”
“Only if he promises to stop trying to set me up with people,” Anna returned as she neared them. She wasn’t able to keep up the stern facade, though. The smile twitching her lips betrayed her. “And if you promise to tighten his leash.”
“Done.” Layla elbowed Josh. “Apologize, sweetie.”
“It was a harmless joke.” Josh pouted in a silly, sullen tone. “Fine, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t meddle in your love life again. But don’t come running to me when you need my help.”
“Thank you.” Anna placed her hands on her hips. “And congratulations on winning your trophy, Josh. You did great.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard.”
“Don’t push it.”
“What’s going on here?” Hunter joined our circle, wrapping an arm around my waist and tugging me into his side.
“Anna and Josh had a brief squabble,” I informed. “It’s all good now.”
Hunter touched his forehead to mine. “Are you ready to leave?”
That husky, laced with lust, tone told me I was in trouble. I spared the party a deft glance. “We haven’t been here for long.”
His gaze darkened. “I did my rounds and had a drink with the boys. I’m ready to leave and celebrate with you.
” His mouth drifted to my ear, whispering, “I doubt we’ll be missed.
No one will notice we’re gone, doll, and by the time they do”—his sentence ended on a low chuckle—“I’ll already be deep inside your pussy. ”
My desire fluttered like a hummingbird locked in a cage, desperate to be let loose. “Hunter.”
Blue eyes drew to my mouth like a moth to a flame. “Say yes, Gabriela.”
Why was I torturing us by prolonging the inevitable? Hunter was right. Everyone was having a good time. They wouldn’t realize if we left early.
The pads of my fingers drew over his dark stubble and his jaw clenched, the lines of his body following suit. All those thick, tan, rippling muscles. At my beck and call. I couldn’t wait to tear mio principe out of his clothes and ride him to kingdom come.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Let’s go.”
We said quick goodbyes to our friends, under the guise of heading home because we were tired. They didn’t call us out on our bullshit, their knowing smirks doing the talking instead.
Hunter didn’t even put his coat on after helping me in mine. He draped his over his arm and tugged me out of the brownstone and down the empty sidewalk with the quality of a man running low on patience, his libido guiding his every action.
I would have laughed if I weren’t in the same boat. My thong dampened with need and my hunger spiked to insurmountable heights with every passing second of his polished shoes and my heels clicking against the concrete ground.
“Move those legs faster, shorty,” he teased. “I’ve got places to be.”
“I’m trying,” I retorted. “You’re not the one jogging home in six-inch stilettos because your boyfriend is desperate to fuck you.”
His throaty laughter only fanned the flames of my desire further. God, everything about him was a turn-on to me. “Guilty. You want to be carried, princess?”
I huffed, stopping. “How gentlemanly of you to finally ask.”
He lassoed me into his chest. “You going to keep running that smart mouth once we get home?”
“Mm.” I captured his bottom lip and tugged until he moaned low. “But you like my smart mouth. Especially when I let you disrespect it, bello.”
“I’m going to fuck you hard, all night long.” His hands inched under my coat and over my ass, squeezing. “You won’t be able to walk tomorrow, Gabriela.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.”
Before Hunter could effortlessly lift me into his arms, someone emerged out of the small alleyway in the middle of two houses and moved straight for us.
It all happened so swiftly.
I gasped and Hunter cursed.
Two angry words escaped the cloaked figure, ripping into the night with the force of a bullet, “Fucking bitch!”
And suddenly, a flash of silver glinted in the dark night as a gloved hand rose.
My scream got caught in my throat as Hunter’s quick reflexes had him pushing me behind his body.
I stumbled against one of the parked vehicles along the street, setting off the alarm.
But not before I heard the unmistakable sound of a knife slicing in the air. Tearing fabric. Slashing through skin. And Hunter’s disbelieving, painful, “Fuck!”
Terror slammed into my system.
“Hunter!” I screamed. “No!”