12. Chapter Twelve #2
The space wasn’t large, but rather than feeling cramped, it felt intimate.
Sofas and small tables sat toward the back corner with a few high-tops lining the railing that overlooked the bar.
The lighting was low, but not overly dark.
You couldn’t read a book by it, but you could tell who was who as they came up the stairs.
I tried to pay attention as the manager explained the choices of food and drink packages she could include, but I failed, my attention tracking Zack as he sauntered over to the railing, leaning his forearms over the side.
His shirt pulled tight across his back, and it was obvious his muscles were as taut as a tightrope. Tension rolled off him in waves.
Letting anything happen between us sexually was a recipe for disaster; I knew that, but it didn’t stop me from considering it. It would bring us both a much-needed release.
I shook my head. No. I wouldn’t allow myself to go there. But I wasn’t taking no for an answer when it came to going to the rage room. I could at least offer him that tonight.
“Do you two want to talk it over?”
I blinked and looked back at the lady. “Oh. Um, yeah. Sure.” Although I hadn’t heard half of what she’d said.
“Ok. Take your time. Just let me know what you decide and I can email everything over.”
Once the manager headed back downstairs, I made my way over to Zack.
He turned slightly so his body faced me, keeping one arm on the railing.
The dim lights from down below cast his face in shadows, giving him a dark and broody look.
Except for his bright blue eyes, which shone with an intense desire I wasn’t prepared for.
“Go with the largest package with the open bar.”
I raised a brow. “You were listening?”
“Of course.” His lips quirked up in a bemused smile. “Were you not?”
I shrugged. “I was distracted.”
The fire in his eyes flared at my words. “Is that so?”
My lips twitched. “Yeah. The whole broody thing on you is kinda worrisome.”
He forced out a harsh chuckle. “Like it better when I’m trying to rile you up?”
“I do. I appreciate consistency.”
“Why’d you lie to your friends?”
I sighed. “I didn’t want to explain that I canceled my date because you and I are going to a rage room instead.”
He raised a brow. “Why not?”
“Because it would be like twenty questions with them. It would lead to an admission about you taking me the other day, and then my issues would come up, and I would get annoyed about having to talk about it. So it’s easier if I just don’t bring it up.”
“But they’re your friends.” His brows pulled together and I didn’t miss the confusion in his voice. “You should be able to talk to them about anything.”
“I don’t really like to talk about my feelings. If you haven’t gotten that yet.”
“Yeah?” He reached up and traced one finger along my jaw, letting it trail down my neck and brush back and forth over my skin. “Tell me what you feel.”
His gaze held me captive, like he could see into my soul, and the featherlight touch of his finger sent little zaps of electricity coursing through me.
“Annoyed. Frustrated.”
“And?” he prodded.
I knew what he wanted. Was I prepared to give it to him? “Curious.”
“Hmm. Getting closer. Try again, Raven.”
“What happened to Vixen?” I inquired with a smirk.
He tsked me with a shake of his head. “Right now, you’re holding back. That’s a Raven trait. You want something different? Show me the vixen.” His hand skated down my side and over my hip until his fingers brushed along my thigh. “What do you feel when I touch you?”
I closed my eyes and ran my tongue along my lower lip. “Warm and tingly.” I waited a beat before adding, “And so wet.”
I let my lids drift back open so I could see his face as I admitted how much he turned me on. I never backed down from a challenge, and I knew that was what he intended with this little game. But two could play at that.
Shifting closer, I craned my neck to look up at him from under my lashes. “What are you going to do about it?”
He stared at me, his bright blue eyes almost black. My stomach did a somersault the minute I saw the switch happen, and anticipation tore through me.
He pulled me away from the railing and lifted me by my waist. In a few steps, he was sitting me down on the back of one of the sofas and sandwiching himself between my thighs. Before I could take my next breath, his mouth was slanted over mine in a demanding, punishing kiss.
We fought for dominance, just like we did that night when I was drunk. But this time, I was completely sober. And desperate for this man I could barely stand.
I nipped hard at his lower lip, and in return, he yanked me closer to the edge of the sofa, pressing himself harder into me. He swallowed down my moans as the slight touch made my pussy throb.
I moved my hands into his hair, gripping the ends with my fists and holding him tight to me.
Our tongues continued to duel, fighting for control.
Neither of us were willing to give in or back down.
I hooked my legs around him and moved my hips, seeking more friction.
His hand tangled in my hair. I’d left it down, curled in loose waves, and he tugged, breaking the kiss.
Our breaths came in short pants as we stared at each other.
Finally, he yanked my head back a bit more, lowering his lips to my neck and biting the sensitive skin there. “Do you know how badly I want to watch you fall apart from my touch? To give in completely to me? Have you completely at my mercy?”
“Or I’ll just take what I need.”
He pulled back to look down at me. “I don’t think you would.” A cavalier smile played across his lips. “I mean, surely you would try, but as tough as you come off, you become so soft whenever I touch you.” His lips found my neck again and he sucked hard, eliciting a hiss from me.
“Don’t get too cocky.” I rotated my hips, rubbing the juncture of my thighs against him, seeking his hardness.
Like he could read my mind, he shifted himself, letting me feel him.
“Fuck,” I breathed out. Through his jeans, I could already tell he was incredibly long and thick.
Maybe he was allowed to be cocky with that thing in his pants.
I yanked him back down to my mouth, desperate to feel his lips again. To feel so much more. Examine every inch of him with my tongue. Feel the hard planes of his chest under my hands.
But, damn it, I couldn’t. What we were doing was dangerous. And wrong.
I broke the kiss, and he stared at me in surprise, realization slowly taking over his expression.
“Zack…” I whispered the warning, not ready to utter the rest of the words I knew I needed to say.
His jaw locked. “Why?”
Just one word, paired with the hurt and sting of rejection staring back at me… It was almost too much. I hated it. But it was better to rip the Band-Aid off now than take things too far and not be able to come back from it.
He stepped back and I let my feet fall back to the floor.
“It’s just not a good idea, Zack.” I swallowed, wishing I didn’t have to do the right thing.
But my precious few friendships meant too much to me to mess them up.
“Nicole obviously likes you, and if I slept with you just for fun, she’d be hurt.
But besides that, I can’t take the risk of you getting attached.
I don’t do attachment. And then everyone would blame me for hurting you. ”
He raised a brow, and I waited for him to deny it. But he didn’t.
“I’ve always had a strict rule about not hooking up with guys I work with or within my friend group,” I continued. “It makes everything messy.”
He was quiet, staring at me like he was trying to see the lie beneath my words. But there wasn’t one.
I shifted uncomfortably. “Did you still want to hit the rage room tonight?” For some unexplainable reason, I was praying he wouldn’t say no.
His jaw ticked, and the only response I got was a simple nod.
Straightening my clothes, I made my way toward the stairs, glancing back when I didn’t sense him following me. The longing in his eyes was almost too much for me to bear.
I forced my feet to move, deathly afraid that if I stayed there a minute longer, I would say screw it and give in to this insane attraction between us.
And I was one hundred percent sure that would end horribly.