Chapter 14
“You have to come. We’re all going,” Maisyn begs.
“I refuse to be in the room with that man.”
“Don’t talk to him.” She shrugs as if it cures everything. “Or you could try not kissing him.”
I glare at her. “Don’t talk about that shit, please.”
“Fine, but you have to come to Ava and Riley’s party,” she pleads.
“Who does that? Co-bachelor and bachelorette parties?”
“I’m not sure if it’s a Southern thing or we all had so much fun when One and Lea did it. But it’s a tradition now.” She uses her fingers for air quotes.
“Maisyn, I’m not sure about this. What if Walker doesn’t want me there? It’s his brother’s party.”
“No more arguing. You’re coming.” She jumps off the counter. “Wear something sexy, and leave Walker with a hard-on all night.” She winks at me and leaves me with that thought.
“Wishful thinking. He’ll never be jealous over me.”
“I think you might be surprised,” Maisyn yells over her shoulder.
I throw my bag over my shoulder, taking my briefcase in hand. I trudge out the door, making a mad dash to my Jeep. It’s been raining since Thanksgiving, and it’s got a good chill to it. I shiver when my coat blows open from the wind.
As I start my ride, a shadow from the corner of the building draws my attention. I can’t make out who it is, but a chill runs down my spine. It’s probably nothing. I get creeped out way too easy. I drive home, taking a little longer than usual. I take my time with the wet, leaf-covered roads.
I scurry into my apartment, to be followed by my favorite neighbor. “Hey, honey. I’m home.” Alden snickers.
“Hey. Shut the door. It’s colder than hell outside.”
“I’ve never understood that expression.” He tilts his head with a smirk on his face.
“Shut the damn door.”
“You’re crabby, Patty.” He sticks his tongue out at me.
“You have no idea,” I huff, falling onto the couch.
“What’s up?” he asks, joining me.
“Riley and Ava are having a joint bachelor and bachelorette party.”
“I’m not following why that’s so devastating.” He stares at me blankly.
“You know full well why that’s tormenting me. Stop being an ass.”
“Wait, I’m not an ass. I thought it was reserved for Studly Dudley.” He rolls his eyes.
“First, fuck you.” I flip him off. His eyes bug out as he fakes shock. “Second, I’m an equal opportunity asshole expert. And third, I can’t see him. I can’t.” I pull my hair in a fit of frustration.
“How dare you.” He points a finger at me. “Seriously, it’s been weeks. He’s avoided you at work. He’s had you faxing the proposal, instead of meeting with you about it. I think you’re safe from harm.”
“Whatever. To top it all off, my father wants me to meet him this week.”
“Well, we’ll deal with him later. Let’s pick a killer outfit for you to wear to the party. I’ll dress to match.” He’s the most amazing friend.
“If only you were gay, you’d be perfect.” I sigh.
“Tell me about it. The pickins’ out there are slim to none. I would be a gorgeous woman.” He stands, swaying to my bedroom.
“How bad is it that your wiggle is better than mine?”
“Honey, don’t be hatin’.” He snaps his fingers and walks away.
“Dear, lawd. These men will be the death of me.” I follow him into the bedroom where we spend the next two hours. We order pizza and have a fashion show. By the end of the night, I have the perfect thing to wear to the party.
Alden heads out after midnight, and I fall asleep fast and hard. The rest of the week plays out as it has been. Walker avoids me, and I fax him when needed. I haven’t decided if I’m going to go to this party he’s helping host.
Against my better judgment, later Saturday night, I get dressed and drive down to The Club. Apparently, it’s where Riley and Ava wanted it. Sentimental reasons or something like that. I feel like there’s a story there.
Walking in, I tiptoe, scanning the room for someone I’ll know.
“Stop. You look damn fine.” Alden tugs at my shirt.
I swat at his hand. “I’m nervous. Oh, there’s Ava.” I grab his hand, dragging him through the crowd.
“Yay! Reese! I’m so happy you made it,” Ava exclaims, pulling me into a hug. “Damn, you look amazing.”
“Thank you. You too but you always do.” I check myself in the mirror across from the dance floor. I wore my ripped, faded jeans with knee-high black suede boots. Black cropped top with a black and white flannel shirt tied around my waist.
“Hit up the bar. It’s open. Walker’s paying for everything.” She giggles, her cheeks already flushed. I assume she’s already been visiting the drinks.
“Sounds great. I’m gonna drag him to dance first.”
“Let’s hit it, hottie.” Alden wraps his hand around mine, leading me to the floor.
“Strip That Down” is on blast. Alden grabs my hips, swaying behind me. We move like we did in high school—dirty as hell, bumping and grinding to the point where someone should end up pregnant. By the time I face him, all eyes are on us.
Until I feel him. His piercing glare burns into me, but I don’t know where he is. I search for him. It’s as if he calls to me. I can’t resist finding him, wanting him. When I find him in the crowd, he watches me with an intensity bordering on uncomfortable. But hell, if I don’t like it.
“Drinks?” I yell over the music.
“Sounds good.” He wraps his arm around me, helping me from the floor.
We belly up to the bar. “Give me a Blue Kamikaze and Adios Motherfucker.”
“I’ll have a Jack and Coke.” Alden smiles at me before raising his brows to greet someone behind me.
“We’re not here two minutes and you’re already hitting on some poor, innocent girl,” I say, twisting to check out his intended. I lose my balance, tipping, only to be caught in more ways than one. I’m in Walker’s grasp, surprised to say the least. My stomach flips.
“He’s not really my type but with my luck with women, I’ll give him a go.” He winks at Alden as he helps me find my footing.
“Eh, why not? That’s if you don’t mind?” Alden raises his brows at me.
“Please, don’t let me stand in your way.” I push away from Walker’s chest, to no avail. He holds onto me like a life preserver.
“How about we check out the dance floor before I decide?” Walker’s raspy growl fills my ear, sending chills through my body.
I do nothing more than bob my head. He escorts me onto the darkened dance floor. His hands are all over me before I can gather my wits. He feels so good as he slides between my legs. Thank goodness, I wore these boots. I’m taller and can ride his thigh.
I might die, but at least I’ll die happy.
“Fuck, Reese. Can you get any sexier?” Walker groans against my cheek, filling his hands with my ass.
“I could ask you the same thing.” I bite my lip. I drag my eyes down his body, draped in a tight, white tee and fitted denim-washed jeans.
“I just can’t fight it anymore,” he growls, nipping my earlobe.
“Fight what anymore?”
“Craving you. Not having you.” His soft lips graze my jaw. “Of not getting my fill of you.”
“Fuck me.” He stops cold, tilting back to stare at me. “I didn’t mean now.” I wave my hand in the air.
“Next time, clarify.” I hold my breath as I fall into his shining eyes. “Or you might end up pushed against a wall somewhere in a corner.”
“Don’t let me stop your plans.” I run the tip of my tongue along the base of his neck.
“Dammit, girl.” His hand tangles in the hair at the base of my neck. “I swear, you don’t know what you’re asking for.”
“Believe me when I tell you I can handle it.” I moan when his lips trail a path of nips and sucks down my neck.
“Goddammit, Reese.” It’s all I hear as he whips me around and hauls me out the door.
Darkness fills my sight, but Walker knows exactly where he’s taking me. When my back is pushed against a wall, I’m no more surprised than the fact that my panties are soaked from his touch.
“You need to understand what you’re wanting.”
“And you need to comprehend it’s what I need.”
He studies me, his hand finding my neck. His thumb rubs lines along my collar. “What if… I lose control?” His voice is hoarse as if he’s struggling.
“You won’t.” I bite my lip, contemplating my next words. “This is different, Walker. I want you the way you are.”
His forehead touches mine on a heavy sigh. “I’d lost all hope of finding you.”
“I’m here now.”
His eyes snap open. “I’m sorry it took so long.”
“Thanks for showing up,” I whisper, and he watches the words roll from my mouth.
Without another word, his mouth takes mine. Controlling, giving, steady yet reckless. It’s everything. His tongue sweeps over mine as his leg wedges between my thighs. I nip his lip when he begins to grind into me. “Too much?”
“Not rough enough,” I stammer, clutching him to me.
I swear the man growls. “Topping from the bottom, Miss Morgan?” He takes my mouth again, commanding it to obey his every whim. He releases me on a gasp. “I do believe you’ll be the death of me.”
I moan against his lips, and a slow smile builds. “Even death can be cheated.”
When his mouth finds mine again, it’s a collision of emotions. Pleasure, guilt, fear, trust, doubt, hope… love. I allow Walker to show me what control means to him. It’s a battle of self, not over someone else. He would never hurt me. He needs to understand that.
A loud noise from the door breaks us apart all too soon. Candy bolts from the door. “Walker? What in the hell are you doing with this fat ass? Oh, my God. Do you fucking like her?” Her venom spews from her like a volcano, and I’m lost in it.
Walker breaks our bond, pulling away from me. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I’m asking you that same question.” She sneers at me with her arms crossed over her body.
“Get the fuck outta here.” Walker’s chest thrusts forward.
“You must be fucking kidding right now. You’re better than… this.” She points her long, black nail at me.
My heart pounds in my ears. Heat radiates through me as my pulse races. Don’t let her talk about you. Handle this. Now.
“Hold the fuck up.” I shove my sleeves up and step around Walker. “Who are you to talk about me?”
Her eyes trail down my body before flashing back to mine. “Look at you. Why would he want you?”