Watching Megan walk away, I had a feeling my plans for the night were derailed.

“Dude, what is it with that chick?” I chuckled, thinking of her friend. “She’s got a hard-on for you.”

“I think it’s just the opposite.” Tade wasn’t at all amused and he hadn’t spoken loudly. Good that I could read lips.

“Does that mean you’re giving up?” I asked.

Before he answered, Megan was back.

“I have to go,” she all but yelled, eyes full of regret.

I stared at Tade in a way he would understand. It was a do me a solid glare. “Bro, walk her friend home.”

I had to almost shout to be heard over the music.

“Fine.” He headed off and I turned to face Megan.

She got on her toes and cupped a hand around my ear. “He didn’t have to do that. I should go. Reagan is not going to want him to walk her back.”

That puzzled me. Tade didn’t hurt for girls—just the opposite.

“Why?”

She gave me a pained smile. “Let’s just say she has a no-boys rule.”

Then it hit me. “She’s into girls. That’s cool.”

She shook her head furiously. “No, I don’t think so. I think she’s been hurt before. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

I sighed and wondered for the millionth time why girls ran in packs and couldn’t do anything alone. I followed her outside and a smile twitched on my face.

“See, she’s just fine.” I pointed.

Tade and Reagan were dancing together. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up at my place tonight.

“Don’t look all smug,” Megan said.

I shrugged. “I can’t help it if I’m right.” I took her hand and moved to speak in her ear so I didn’t have to yell. “Come on. Let’s blow this party and make our own.”

Her eyes grew in size, but she didn’t protest. Our place wasn’t that far down. The farther we got, the more the music faded. At my door, I pulled her to a stop.

“I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that something was going to happen tonight,” she said.

I shifted positions, which left her pinned in a corner by the door. I stroked the back of my finger down her cheek. “Are you sure about that?”

There was something about this girl, and I needed to get her out of my brain. The surest way of doing that would be to make good on all the ideas that I’d had about her since our first meeting.

She muttered something, but I only heard, “I’m not that type of girl.” Had she said something like she wished she were?

I leaned in and kissed her until I felt her sag against the wall. I snagged her lip between my teeth and slightly tugged before I pulled back.

“Whatever happens between us is nobody’s business but our own. There’s no shame in the things that I want to do to you.”

I sealed my vow with another kiss. The taste of beer was faint on her tongue and I was getting more than drunk by contact. I wanted her badly, more than any girl before her. But there was no way there could be anything more between us even if I wanted there to be.

She ducked under my arm, her heat having already burned my skin. “See, it’s things like that and I know I can’t be that girl. Not with you.”

I covered my heart with my hand. “You wound me, Angel. I might be the Devil, but I’m willing to repent if you’d take my confession.”

Her eyes searched heavenward and I wondered if her halo might have dimmed some. I wanted to sin with her in the worst way, especially when her lips curved.

“The only confession I’d take is that you’re becoming a monk because this is so not happening.”

“Is that a challenge?”

Damn her, I was a sucker for a dare.

She laughed. “You are something else. But as irresistible as you are, you can find willing girls back at the party.”

“Irresistible? If that were true, you’d be in my bed underneath me.”

“Exactly! And so that’s why I’m going to find Reagan and head home. Movies and ice cream sound really good right now.”

I wasn’t sure what she was talking about, but I had those things inside.

“Watch a movie with me.” Her hair spilled over her shoulders as she silently told me no. I sighed. “At least let me walk you home.”

She pulled out her phone and started texting, most likely contacting her friend. I said a silent prayer that Tade had her locked up and maybe Megan wouldn’t feel like she needed to go.

“She’s home,” she muttered. “If you want to walk me, you can. But I can make it on my own.”

“Lead the way.”

I had to adjust myself; it was going to be an uncomfortable walk. When I glanced up, I got an eye full of her fantastic ass and had to catch up if I didn’t want fucking blue balls tonight.

When we were side by side, she cast me a look. “And don’t think you’re talking your way up to my room. It’s a boy-free zone.”

I chuckled. “You’ve made your point. Believe it or not, I don’t have to beg.”

It was her turn to laugh. “Your ego knows no bounds.”

“It’s not ego, Angel. It’s a fact. And though you are on a short list of girls who have turned me down since before high school, it’s cool.”

She stopped in front of a red brick building, and now I knew which building held her dorm. I filed that away for future reference.

“Well, it’s healthy you learn that not all women are susceptible to your charms.”

Her warm palm reached up and patted my cheek. I captured her wrist and turned it to press a kiss to the skin at the juncture of her hand and arm.

“Never say never, Angel. I might corrupt you yet.”

Her parted lips were enough to let a smug smile grow on my face. I winked at her before I left. I didn’t turn back to make sure she was safely inside until I heard the door close. I spied her walking upstairs through the glass door. Damn, that ass of hers was going to be the death of me.

I didn’t go back to the party, though I knew I could find a willing hookup. Something told me that no girl there could live up to my expectations for the night.

Tade sat on the sofa with a game controller in hand when I walked in.

“Struck out?”

He shrugged. “She’s not my type.”

I laughed and plopped down. “You’re lying out your ass. She turned you down.”

“You can’t possibly laugh. You’re back early.”

“She’s a work in progress.” I hadn’t exactly given up.

She’d been hot and ready for me in the bathroom until her friend had killed her mood, or so I told myself. Plus, she’d all but dared me, and game on. I’d have her in my bed by next weekend. That much I was sure of.

A small part of me challenged that she was much more than a game because I had no desire to hurt her. She wore a smile as easily as some sported frowns. If more people like her existed in the world, it would be a better place. Even though I teased her, I wouldn’t kill that spirit inside her. Maybe it would be better to let her walk away no matter how badly I wanted her.