Chapter 11
“Double shot of Jack,” I tell the bartender when he approaches me.
“Hey, brother,” Riley says, slapping me on the back.
“Hey, where’s my girl?”
“The fuck, seriously?” He gapes at me, but he knows Ava’s like my sister. I just enjoy busting his balls. “She’s talking to Torrie and Brannon.”
“Only so much of the ex you can handle.”
“Brannon’s a good guy, but yeah. Guess it’s residual jealousy from childhood,” he grunts.
“Ava studying psychology?” I take a swig from my glass.
“Nope,” he quips. “Jameson.” He jerks his head at the bartender, giving his order.
Ava walks toward us, looking as gorgeous as she always does. Leaning in, she places a sweet kiss on my cheek before Riley can pull her into him.
“Hello, gorgeous. Why don’t you drop the zero and get with a hero?” I jerk my thumb to myself.
She laughs loudly and drapes her arm around Riley’s shoulder. “Y’all are a mess.”
Something to the right catches my eye. I glance that way before completely gawking at the damn fine redhead walking straight at me. I’m rendered speechless when she stops before us. “Ava, it’s good to see you.” Reese air-kisses Ava.
She’s breathtaking. And hot as fuck, or so my cock says. “It’s good to see you. Alden.” Ava reaches for his hand as I continue to be mute.
“Ravishing.” He kisses her hand, making my back go rigid.
“Thank you. Reese, you look amazing. I love your dress,” Ava tells her.
Speechless, I stare at her.
“I love your dress. You can wear anything mermaid and the black lace bodice is gorgeous on you,” Reese says.
“Yeah, well, while they walk the runway, let’s have a drink.” Alden waves for help.
“Walker.” Reese finally acknowledges me. I try to play it cool by leaning nonchalantly against the bar.
“Reese, beautiful as always.” I look over her instead of at her.
“Thank you. If you have some time next week, I have a few amendments to go over with you.” She tilts her head into my line of sight.
“I’ll find time. We need to put this to bed.”
“Agreed.” I glance at her when I feel her staring. “So… I’ll be in touch.” When her eyes flitter to Alden, rage begins to boil deep inside me. Why does that make me angry?
“Fine,” I growl. “If you’ll excuse me.” I step past her, pushing myself to walk away but not before her perfume invades my senses.
“Walker,” Riley calls. “Wait up.”
I slow my stride, waiting for him to catch up. Once he’s beside me, I continue to put some distance between me and my kryptonite. I walk to the opposite side of the room, doing my best not to stare at her but it’s useless. She calls to me.
“Why do I lose my grip when I’m around her?”
Riley’s mouth twists to the side. “I think you know.”
“Yeah, I do.” I down my drink. “It ain’t happening.”
“Whatever you say, big brother.” He pushes off the wall where we stand. “But you know, life has its own way of doin’ things.”
Ava struts toward us, and a big ass grin plasters Riley’s face.
“Don’t I know it.”
I watch Thayer work the room greeting guests. She’s gorgeous as always, but the flash of red to her right draws my attention. And suddenly, there’s no comparison.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, Walker.” Ava’s words are true, but I’m not sure I can trust myself.
“I know.” My stomach knots as Thayer greets Reese, my worst fears unfolding before me.
“Thayer won’t hurt you,” Riley says.
I scrutinize the two talking. “Not like I hurt her, right? She won’t ruin everything.” I set my empty glass down before turning to leave when I’m met with a whirlwind of blonde.
“Walker.” Candy closes in on me.
“Candy, how are you?” I ask, taking a step back. “It’s been awhile.”
“Yeah, baby. Too long.” She runs her long, red-tipped nail down my chest. “How’s it going?”
I take her hand in mine, removing it. “Good. How have you been?”
She rubs against me, making me immediately scan the room for Reese. “I’ve been real good.”
“I bet you have.” I duck her lips when she tries to kiss me.
She purses her lips when I move away from her. “Why are you being shy? You remember what a good time we always have together, don’tcha?”
“You did always get home safe.” Riley chuckles. “Best ride in town.” I glare at him, and he winks.
She smirks at Riley until Ava stares her down. This is about to get ugly. “Reese? Is this your first gala?” Ava asks, looking past Candy.
“It is. I’m in love with all the glamorous gowns and the décor.” Her eyes sparkle with delight. She turns to me, and I stiffen from the jolt of her green eyes boring into me. As if they know my every thought.
Candy’s glance darts between the two of us. “Let’s dance, lover.” She fists my jacket, tugging me to the dance floor. I can’t believe it when my feet follow her.
“I’ll be back… maybe not if I’m lucky.” I waggle my brows with a smile. Reese whispers to Ava, and Riley shakes his head.
I take Candy’s hand, twirling her as we hit the floor. She quickly takes hold, drawing me tight against her. “There’s my sexy man. Miss me, did ya?”
I swallow the knot in my throat, my gaze glued to Reese. “Not really.”
“What do you mean?” she demands.
As I’m about to answer her, Alden joins Reese, wrapping his arm around her waist. “You know what? Fuck it. I missed the hell outta you, baby.” I slide my hand down to her ass for all to see, including the one woman I’d prefer to have in my arms.
“I knew you were still there.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my brows drawing together.
“You haven’t been around,” she says.
My eyes flutter to Reese. “I’ve been busy, working.”
“Who you been ‘working’ with?” She curls her fingers.
“Not that kind of work.” Reese and Alden join us on the dance floor, and I can’t take my eyes off her. His hands. The way they caress her curves, running over her body. My face flames, and my body goes rigid.
Candy’s hand lands on my cheek, drawing my attention back to her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were chubby chasing.”
“What in the hell is chubby chasing?”
She leers in Reese’s direction. “The redhead.”
“What about her?” I seethe. Surely, she’s not saying what I think.
“Are you into the fat chick?” she spits at me.
“Ha.” My laugh comes out as a bark, drawing onlookers. Including Reese. She and Alden glide toward us as my muscles tighten.
“Are y’all laughing at the guy over there too? He’s too cute but gawky,” Reese says with a hint of twang. I’ve never noticed it before now.
“Not on your life, especially with this man in my arms,” Candy replies, sinking her nails into my arms.
“Oh, of course.” Reese blushes.
“Switch!” Alden says, and he grabs Candy, spinning off with her.
My mouth goes dry. Reese and I stand there, gazing at one another. I reach for her hand with my sweaty palm. She stares at it before looking into my eyes and shaking her head. “How about we talk?” She inclines her head at the doors leading to the veranda.
“All right.” I wave my hand in front of me. “Lead the way.”
“Let’s go over here, less traffic.”
I swallow hard and hold the door for her. “After you.”
“Thank you.” When she brushes past me, my lips part, my heart throttling my chest.
We walk to the end of the deck, where the ocean meets the shore. She stands facing the moon. She turns to me, and the stars twinkle in her eyes. Her chest rises and falls with rapid breaths.
“I’m nervous.”
“About?” I ask, fear rising in me.
“The case.” Oh. My heart plummets. “Tonight. This. You.” Her brows knit. She wets her lips.
“Me? You’re nervous about me?”
“Not you. Being alone with you.” Her eyes lift to meet mine, soft and welcoming.
“We’ve been alone before; did I make you nervous then?” I step closer to her.
“You’ve always made me nervous, Walker.” She bites her lip, and I can’t help but watch her run her tongue over her soft, crimson lip.
“I shouldn’t,” I stutter, my heart racing. “I’m nobody.”
She shakes her head before her words begin to fall from her supple mouth. “No, you’re everything.”
I take her in my arms, pressing our bodies together. Heat boils between us. A knot forms in the pit of my stomach. Before I can stop myself, my lips crash against hers. I lose control and part her lips with my tongue, sweeping over hers.
She gives no resistance as I take her, owning her the way God intended for this woman to be. Strong, yet fragile. She fits me in every way, her body curving into mine. Her lips mold to my mouth, her tongue giving way to the hunger mine has unleashed.
A torrent of emotion floods my body, making my knees go weak. Her hands press into my back, holding me to her. In an instant, I pull from her grasp. I struggle to catch my breath, staring at her for what she’s doing to me. She’s making me lose control.
I can’t do this.
I stare at her, fighting my resolve. Her chest heaves as she fights for air. “Walker?”
I shake my head, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. “No.”
“I don’t understand.” Her brow furrows.
“You never will, Reese.” My hands run through my hair, pulling it to the ends. I lean over, hoping to clear my head. “I. Can’t. Do. This,” I growl.
Her eyes begin to shimmer. “Why? Because I’m fat? Or is it because I’m not rich enough?” Her voice trembles, and she wraps her arms around herself.
“The fuck? No,” I seethe. Rage builds within me.
“No to what? No, it’s not because you’re fat. Or no, it’s not because you didn’t come from the right side of the tracks.” She wipes a tear rolling down her cheek.
“Don’t blame me for what you don’t like about yourself.”
“Fuck you.” Her eyes narrow.
I step closer to her, leaving no escape. “I’m not who you think I am.”
“Or am I not good enough for you?” She pushes past me. “I’ll never look like that,” she huffs, pointing to the ballroom.
I grab her wrist, pulling her back to me. “What do you want from me?” I breathe into her ear, my teeth gritted.
“You.” Her words burn into me. As her body goes limp, the heat from her body against my chest warms me. “I want you, Walker. I don’t understand it, but I need you like my next breath.”
My hands wrap her arms, and she leans back into me. I push her from me. “You can’t.”
“I do. I don’t know why I’m drawn to you,” she murmurs, pressing into me. “Like a beacon in a storm.”
“Dammit, can’t you understand? I’m the storm,” I snarl into her hair.
She turns in my arms, worrying her bottom lip. She looks at me, her eyes teeming with unshed tears. “You’re the beacon.”
Her words crash over me, like waves onto the shore. “No.” I fight taking her mouth again.
Reese traces my jaw with her hand. “Why am I not enough?”
My chest tightens, and I feel dizzy. She needs to stay away from me. I’m no good for her. I can’t even kiss her without losing control.
“No, Reese. I’m not.” I push her away and step around her.
She grabs my arm, making me hesitate from her pull. “What was this? Why are you acting this way?” I continue to walk away. “You can’t kiss me like that and walk away as if I don’t matter.”
I turn on her, spinning her against the wall. I pin her arms above her head. I run my hand up her thigh. Gripping it, I hitch her leg over my hip and grind into her. Her full breasts heave, making me hard in an instant.
I trail my lips over her jaw, and her nipples pebble in response. I groan from our closeness. I nip her ear, and she moans. I growl. “This. Reese? Is this what you want?” I grind my hips into her pelvis hard.
“Yes, Walker.” Her head lulls. She pushes her hips into mine, and my mouth waters.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” I grunt, thrusting into her.
She turns her face to me, her warm breath washing over me. “So tell me.”
I brush her lips with mine just as reality crashes in. “You don’t even know me.” I release my hold on her, pausing while she gets her balance.
“Fine, tell me. Say something. Anything.” Tears brim her eyes as the inability to speak grips me. Reese leans her head against mine, wrapping her hands around my wrists. “Don’t leave.”
I wince, turning my head to the side. “I can’t.”
“Why, Walker?” she demands.
My breath quickens. She breaks me down inside. Trembling, I remove her hands, my mouth going dry. “You’re in love with someone else.” My muscles tighten, and my jaw sets in determination. “Besides, I’m the worst thing for you.”
I release her, walking away from her as fast as my feet will carry me. I throw the doors open with Reese on my heels. Candy stands at the entrance with another man, but I don’t care. I have to show Reese who I am.
“Walker. Stop, please,” Reese calls behinds me. I hurry past Riley and Ava with a shake of my head, but I’m brought up short when Thayer steps in my way.
“Walker, stay.”
Her words ring in my ears. Bile rises in my throat. “I can’t. Won’t.” I step around her, taking Candy by the hand. The smirk on her face tells me who she’s looking at. “Don’t you fucking dare, Candy,” I growl at her and help her out the door.
I rush outside with Candy in tow, practically shoving her into my SUV. “There you go, lover. I like it rough.” She playfully winks at me.
“That’s why we’re calling this what it is, a fuck. Buckle your damn seatbelt.” I slam the door before she can say anything.
I jump in my SUV, hitting the road as fast as I can. I need to put distance between me and that redhead. She’s going to be the death of me. I’ve never run away from anything in my life. But then again, I’ve never felt anything like this before.