MARISSA
“Still nothing?’’ Sophie asked me as we lounged in the back office with our steaming cups—coffee for me and blend tea for her.
I frowned down at my dark beverage and shook my head. “Nothing. It shouldn’t bother me, though.’’
She rolled her beautiful blue eyes at me and sipped her tea, making a humming sound. “If you want, you can—.''
“If you’re about to say I can call my birth mother to get Wyatt’s number I’m going to grab one of your precious needles and pierce you somewhere it hurts. And I don’t know how to pierce so…’’ I ground out and frowned deeper when she laughed behind her cup, doing a poor job at hiding herself.
It’d been three days since I had last seen Wyatt and I was waiting to hear from him as promised. During these three days, I’d been tortured by Sophie’s excitement at the weird story unfolding between Wyatt and myself. Just last night when we had lunch at my place she went on and on about the apparent sexual tension between him and me and how I wouldn’t be able to resist him for long.
She wasn’t entirely wrong, and considering how I mostly hated his guts I should be ready to turn my back on him and forget all about him. But in these three days, I’d had enough time to rehash our last chat and his parting words.
He had played me that day, and it’s sad to say I fell victim to his game.
“You’re fiery,’’ she noted and slid her thick-framed glasses up her nose. “All I’m saying is that you’re making it harder on yourself, Mar. You’re not usually so strung tight with guys.’’
“It’s different this time. It’s not about dating or… You know.’’ I flushed at the thought of something happening between Wyatt and me. It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought about it. If anything, it’s something I’d had a hard time not envisioning at night, alone in my bed. Or in my shower.
Sophie chuckled at my expense and patted my knee, bent to my chest on the sleek couch Kam bought a few months ago. “Isn’t it, though?’’
“Argh! I don’t freaking know!’’ I stood up and put my mug next to the coffee machine. I didn’t need a mirror to know the extreme warmth in my body reflected on my burning cheeks. I kept my back to Sophie, ashamed she’d see me react so strongly. Since we’d met, I’d had a couple of boyfriends and a one-night stand. None of these guys ever made me act like this. They’d never made me feel such diametral opposite emotions at once either. I both hated and lusted after Wyatt which was a complete mindfuck.
“I have one question for you, Marissa,’’ she said softly, and I didn’t detect a hint of her amused smile in her voice. I turned around and found her watching me intently. “Are you afraid to start something with him because of who his mother is? I mean, it must be difficult for you.’’
I leaned back against the metallic furniture behind me holding the shop’s paperwork and on top of which was my mug, a few others and the coffee machine full of fresh coffee. “I’d rather forget the circumstance of my encounter with him. He’s not the settling type anyway so it’s not like I’d be in his life in the long run. And if he only wanted friendship, I bet his temper would drive me away before the end of the year.’’ I tightened my ponytail, cringing when a few strands of hair tugged harshly on my scalp. “I don’t expect anything from him.’’
Sophie stood up and arched an eyebrow at me over the thick frame of her glasses, her lips pursed in obvious doubt. “Right. That’s why you’re wrung so tight. Don’t lie to yourself because it’s only going to hurt you.’’
“Let’s forget about this for now and go back to work. Kam is going to bitch if we take a longer break.’’
She let it slide and threw her to-go cup in the dustbin when my phone beeped shrilly in my pants. Because of course, I’d changed the ringtone for my texts, so I was sure I wouldn’t miss one coming in. It’s pathetic, but it was that, or I checked my phone every five minutes.
Sophie and I looked at each other, and a small smile reappeared on her smooth face. “At least he’s a man of his words.’’
“Maybe it’s my brother.’’
“Oh come on, he never texts you. You told me yourself he prefers calling you.’’
“It could be someone else then.''
Her only answer was a long look that spoke volume.
I slipped a hand into my pocket and retrieved my phone. There’s a text from an unknown number. I bit my lower lip, my heart speeding up. Sophie was right. I couldn’t lie to myself. I wouldn’t feel so delighted and apprehensive upon receiving a text from him if in my mind it wasn’t already sure that something would happen between us. But I still didn’t know what I truly wanted, and I was worried the kind of thing he wanted didn’t match my expectations. I didn’t see someone like Wyatt Burton working too hard on a woman and for longer than a few days, or weeks for a lucky one.
“What does he say?’’
I blinked and pressed on the text to open it, my breath temporarily gone.
Babe, it’s Wyatt. It’s time for you to tell me if you’re in for a friendship with me. If you are, come to this party. I’ll be there waiting for you at 8.
Apartment 4. 56 8th Street NW.
“He tells me that if I agree to be his friend I’ll join him tonight at a party,’’ I said with a sigh.
“You sound disappointed.’’
“I expected him to say something else. I don’t know.’’ I rolled my eyes at myself and pocketed my phone without answering the text. He probably wasn’t waiting for one anyway. “Do you have plans tonight?’’
“Remember, I told you about the big dinner my cousin has to announce her pregnancy to our family.’’
“Oh yeah, sorry.’’ I glanced at her and saw a glum expression on her face. “You okay about that?’’
She nodded, but it lacked her usual lively vibe. “It’s just my family. They… They don’t necessarily appreciate my career choice or anything about me. It’s going to be a bore, but it’s okay.’’ She waggled her eyebrows at me then, and I saw a spark of mirth in her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll have juicy details for me tomorrow.’’
“Oh shut up,’’ I said with a laugh as we went back to the main room and found Kam tapping on his left wrist, bare of any watch. “Sorry,’’ I said and quickly joined him at his station, ready to go back to work.
Since my job on Ralph, Kam had let me tattoo more intricate designs. He also frequently let me work with him on big pieces for the clients who agreed to it, but considering Kam’s reputation, they’d let him do pretty much anything.
“You focused, girl?’’
I tightened my ponytail once again and grabbed a new pair of gloves after cleaning my hands with the products at the station. “I am.’’ I sent him a grin and then greeted the new client, a man I’d seen a few times already at InkSpired. Like always, inking people drove everything else away from my mind.
***
WYATT
Music blasted from the stereo, and the dirty lyrics drew out a smile from me a time or two. It’s a wonder Justin’s neighbors never complained when he hosted parties. I looked at him sprawled on the old couch with a cute blonde in his lap dedicated to making his mouth hers.
Around me, people made out, danced and drank. It’s a typical Friday night, and usually, I was the first one to find a chick, make out, drink and drag her out to fuck her before I asked her to leave. This time around, I was one of the fuckers leaning against a wall in the living room, people watching while I kept the front door in my line of sight. But it’s almost ten past eight now, and Marissa was still a no-show.
My fingers tightened around the beer bottle in my hand. If she didn’t want to be friends with me, then I shouldn’t be standing there. I should get one of the girls eye-fucking me and forget everything about Marissa Thornton. I should, but I didn’t.
“She’s not coming,’’ Ralph said, creeping in on me with a fresh beer and a very short brunette under his left arm.
I glared at him and arched an eyebrow at the woman with him. I didn’t know her but considering her large pupils, and how she swayed even against Ralph, she looked trashed. “I know.’’
“Then have fun,’’ he slurred and sloppily kissed his temporary girl.
I rubbed my temple and cursed him silently. I didn’t know what went down between him and Emma, but since the club, he’d been more unpredictable than usual. I didn’t want to spend my night taking care of his drunk ass again. I took a sip of my warm beer and glanced again at the door, and I stilled.
She’s here.
And she’s so fucking gorgeous, it’s hard to stay where I was instead of stalking to her and marking her as mine with a kiss I knew would make her forget about any other assholes around.
I didn’t know shit about clothes, but I knew one thing here; she looked damn good in that short dark blue dress showing off her round hips, amazing legs, and a tantalizing rack. I glowered at a few guys around checking her out, and I contemplated going to her before one of them thought it’s a good idea to make a move on her when she spotted me and waved almost shyly. Shit, it’s cute. She shouldn’t be cute when wearing a dress like that.
I smiled around the last sip of my beer and put the empty bottle on a piece of furniture nearby right when she reached me. Her eyes trailed over my body, briefly stopping at the growing bulge in my crotch. I didn’t try to hide it.
I crossed my arms over my chest and smiled crookedly when her eyes landed on them. With her, I never knew if the appreciation I read on her face was for my ink or my body.
“You came,’’ I said gruffly, trying to hide the damn trepidation growing on the inside. I barely paid attention to the party anymore. All that was in for me was Marissa, standing in front of me with a daring smile, bright violet-blue eyes and her small chin defiantly raised.
“As if you doubted.’’ She put a hand on her hip and shook her head in annoyance.
I wasn’t going to tell her that yes, for the last ten minutes I had doubted she’d show up. I couldn’t tell her how crazy she made me. She thought I was an ass, and she’s right, but while I was usually not invested in women, I spent time with—or fucked or planned to fuck—with her it’s completely different, and it threw me.
I still hated what she represented, but I wanted her too bad for it to take over my need to be balls deep in her.
“Want a drink?’’
She glanced around then, and I saw her frown at Ralph, so far gone in la-la land he didn’t realize that Marissa was here. When I noticed his hand grab the girl’s breast I cleared my throat and snatched Marissa’s wrist to direct her away from them.
“Isn’t he supposed to be with the redhead girl from the club?’’ she asked me once we’re away. She had to lean into me so I could hear her because I didn’t bend down to help her. That would keep her body away from mine.
When her full breast pressed against my side, I had to stop a primal growl from coming out. She drove me nuts, or maybe it’s the lack of sex for the past few months.
“I’ve stopped following their game a couple of years ago. It’s too complicated,’’ I replied close to her ear. I watched the glowing skin on her neck and collarbone pebble. I couldn’t stop the smile forming on my face. Shit, I’d never smiled so much before.
“And you don’t do complicated, uh?’’
I locked eyes with her, drawing her closer with a hand engulfing her shoulder. She came willingly, but I observed her breathing deeper, her breasts pressing harder against the fabric of her dress. What would it take to have them spilling over?
“You’re here, aren’t you?’’
She looked away, and her cheeks got red. It’s fascinating to witness what I could do to her with just words. I could piss her off which made her eyes brighten, I could fluster her which had her cheeks all red, and I could confuse her which made her lips part enough to let me have a peek at her tongue. Every fucking thing she did drew me in more, all for wrong reasons. It didn’t stop me.
“Do you want a drink?’’ I asked her a second time. I slid my hand from her shoulder to her hip, trailing my fingers lightly along her rib cage and missed the outer edge of her round breast by a breath. When she trembled, shivered really, I tightened my grip on her hip. My fingers dug into her softly, but with enough strength that I made out the line of her panties under her dress.
I took a deep breath when the need arose in me to push her into the wall behind me and take her mouth. It was so damn strong I knew she must be feeling my hand shaking on her. It was barely bearable for me when my cock twitched in my pants. I was so used to women touching me, pushing their breasts into me and licking my neck until I gave a kiss and led them to a quiet place to fuck, that it was hard to be somewhat stoic with Marissa.
“I’d rather not drink,’’ she said finally, her voice sounding a bit choked over the loud music.
“Why not? Afraid you’re going to lose it around me?’’ I smirked at her and chuckled when she glared at me. But there’s no bite behind her glare this time. Fuck, right now it felt a lot like teasing foreplay, and it made me burn hotter.
“You…You’re… Argh!’’ She wrenched herself away from me, and it was hard to believe, but I missed her heat against me. I also seriously wanted to keep my hand on her smoking body. “What are you trying to do here?’’
“Do I need to spell it for you?’’ At her narrowed eyes I shrugged. “You and I both know you feel that damn attraction. It’s called lust, babe. Let’s not pretend it’s not there.’’
She pursed her lips, and when I was sure she was about to deny it, she shocked the hell out of me. She leaned closer and slid her body along my side until her lips brushed faintly along my earlobe. Holly shit.
“I’m not pretending anything, Wyatt. That doesn’t mean I like you and how patronizing you just sounded.’’ One of her hands landed on my chest. I bet she could feel the racket my heart did under my pec. “I don’t understand what you want from me, and I hate that.’’
“You sure you hate it?’’ I leaned down to bring my face aligned with hers. She breathed faster, just like me. Her breathing hit my face, my neck and it’s crazy what it did to me. With hooded eyes, I fixed her lips, cherry red and ripe for the taking. I moved even closer. I swore I’d never tasted lust quite like this before when nothing had happened yet. “Because I think you get off on this tension just as much as I do.’’
She sucked in her breath, eyes closing and that damn expression… It’s precisely how I’d been picturing how she looked like when she came.
“Shit, babe. I can’t…’’ I trailed off, voice rough and closed the space between our mouths.
Right before my lips touched hers, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her tight against me as my fingers got lost in her thick hair. She trembled and stilled, but she didn’t push me away.
I put my mouth on hers, and the first thing I tasted was the cherry aroma of her lipstick. But then, when I felt her lips part against mine, I slipped my tongue into her mouth, meeting hers in a hard dance that had me dizzy, even with my eyes closed. She kissed me as aggressively as I kissed her, pushing me on until I thought I was ready to throw her on the first flat surface to fuck her until that delicious mouth cried out curses and my name in an ungodly prayer.
I nipped at her plump bottom lip and soared when I heard her choked moan. Her small hands gripped my shirt, twisting the material, tugging it as if I wasn't close enough to her. Shit, I was definitely not close enough.
I turned her around, pushed her back against the wall and plastered myself against her, forcing her head up not to break the kiss. I didn’t attempt hiding my hard cock by pulling away my hips. Fuck, no. I needed her to know how crazy she made me. I slowly rolled my hips into her soft curves, and she sucked on my tongue, making me groan in her mouth.
“Fuck, sweet thing,’’ I mumbled breathlessly, breaking the kiss and placing soft nips on her jaw and down her neck, right behind her little ear. Her perfume, something that reminded me of summer, enveloped me. She gripped my sides with her fingers under my shirt and gasped my name. It’s so damn good. “Want to get out of here?’’
“Yeah,’’ she whispered in my chest and locked eyes with me, a worried look passing quickly over her face before it was gone. A good guy would probably slow down at that look, but not me.
I smiled at her, elated.
I was going to have her right where I wanted her.
Under me and writhing.
“Wyatt Teague,’’ a drawling voice I knew all too fucking well called out behind me, loud enough that it wasn't drowned out by the damn music. I detached myself from Marissa and ignored her questioning look. “Oh sorry,’’ he said with a fake laugh. “It’s Wyatt Burton now.’’
“Tim,’’ I said, my voice harsh again. My scowl reappeared and my whole body tensed at the sound of his voice calling me by my birth name. On top of it, seeing him brought back too many fucked up things to the surface.
He looked worse than the last time I’d seen him. His tall and wiry body showed every sign of drug abuse, starting with the sallow complexion of his pale skin, the rings deeply carved under his bloodshot brown eyes. His blond hair was now buzzed so short at first glance I had thought he’d shaved it off completely. His clothes hung loosely on his body, wrinkled and old.
The last time we had seen each other, I almost put him in a hospital after he punched me. It was nearly eight damn months ago. What was he doing here? I knew Justin couldn’t stand the guy.
“Looks like you’re living the good life like always.’’ His eyes landed on Marissa, and I fucking hated his eyes on her. I stepped in front of her, hiding her from his manic eyes. He’s high as a kite right now. “Ooooh!’’ he yelled, and more people started looking, some smirking, some staring blankly, too drunk to be interested in others’ business. “You protecting her? She must give it good.’’
“Shut up, Tim.’’ I ground my teeth, and the muscle in my jaw started ticking. Marissa’s hands now on the small of my back didn’t help me relax. Tim had always had it for me, and just the sight of him had always made me ready to go berserk on his ass. “Leave me the fuck alone.’’
“Why would I do that Teague? Oh shit, I did it again. Oops.’’ He widened his eyes in fake apology, openly mocking me. His posse, made of a couple of guys and four girls, laughed drunkenly, but I bet they didn’t know shit. “Burton.’’
“What do you want?’’
He stepped closer, and his hatred became more apparent. He wanted a damn fight. “For starter,’’ he narrowed his bloodshot eyes. I fucking knew I wasn’t going to like what came out next. “The hot chick behind you. She seems… Hmm… delicious.’’ His chapped lips stretched into a smile that would give the creeps to any woman. In fact, Marissa’s hands shook on my back.
Fists clenched, I was ready to bash his junkie’s face in if he so much as made a move on her. “Don’t fucking push me, Tim.’’
“Why is that? Are you going to hurt me?’’ He laughed then, that damn grating sound that made me tense some more. Only Marissa’s hands kept me somewhat grounded. “You don’t scare me, Wyatt. You’re just a piece of trash who thinks he’s better than everybody.’’
“Newsflash, buddy,’’ I replied in a hard voice, body coiled and ready to strike. “I’m better than your junkie ass. It’s no hardship.’’
“You—''
“Hey!’’ Ralph staggered between Tim and me, pushing him away so hard he about fell into one of his friends.
When he found his footing again, I knew him enough to see he’s ready to charge Ralph. I made a move to get to him, but Marissa’s body collided with my side and her arms wrapped around me. I glanced down and found her face turned to me, eyes big and wide. And scared. Shit.
“Don’t. Please.’’
I didn’t hear her voice over the music and chatters around, but I easily read on her lips. She’s pale, nothing like the confident and sexy woman of a few minutes ago. And she’s shaking. Damn it. Only one thing was left on my mind.
I needed to get her out of here and away from Tim.
“Ralph!’’
He turned to me, stopping mid-sentence while talking to Tim and nodded at me. At least, he wasn’t drunk enough not to stand on his own and follow me out.
“What? You afraid, Burton?’’ Tim egged me on loudly. It brought an odd silence in the packed room, the silence only filled with the music still blaring.
I kept Marissa in my arm, plastered against my side and looked back over her head. “Of you? We both know I’m not. You’re just a worthless piece of shit, Tim. Open your fucking eyes.’’ I didn’t wait to hear his parting words. Instead, I plowed through the few people standing in front of me, keeping the path to the front door blocked. “Move!’’ I ground out at a guy who’s drunk or high, his eyes not focusing on me. He only blinked at me.
I’ve had enough.
I disentangled myself from Marissa and forcefully removed the guy and pushed him against the wall next to the door. As soon as the exit was free, I wrenched the door open, grabbed Marissa’s hand and towed her out, glancing once over my shoulder to make sure Ralph was following.
Fucked up night.
It looked like my past couldn’t ever leave me the fuck alone.
“Damn it!’’ I closed my left hand into a fist and punched the dilapidated wall right before we reached the stairs.