Strung

“What?” Her face paled.

Damn it. “It’s just making it worse, how is it making it worse?” I seriously wanted to punch something. How did she make a simple dress look so damn hot?

Nat’s face fell. “I can change.”

“No!” I all but shouted lifting my hands into the air, which caused the jacket to fall off her shoulders. The minute I went to grab it, I grabbed her instead and we were chest-to-chest.

My body ached to touch her. It had been that way for days.

And now that we were touching. I never wanted to stop. It was like getting a taste of something forbidden for the first time. You know it’s wrong but you want it nonetheless.

“You ready to go?” I whispered, my eyes focused on her mouth.

With a quick nod, she stepped back.

I felt the loss of her warmth like a punch to the gut. I was in deeper than I thought.

“Stop lusting over my car, Nat.”

Her expression was pure envy as she took in the SUV. With a chuckle I went to the passenger side and opened the door for her.

“Are you for real?” she blurted.

“What?” Okay, I was seriously confused.

“You opened my door.” She pointed at the open door in shock.

My eyebrows drew together. “How else were you supposed to get in the car?”

She opened her mouth then shut it, then mumbled a ‘never mind’ before crawling into her seat. Okay so the night hadn’t started off on the best foot. I’d openly gaped at her, insulted her apparently by opening her door and now she was staring straight ahead like she was concentrating on some imaginary dust on the dashboard.

If there was ever a time when I regretted not drinking anymore — that was it. I pulled up to Evan’s house, got out of the car and opened her door again. Nat didn’t say anything as she unbuckled her seatbelt, but apparently she wasn’t concentrating as hard as I assumed, because she stumbled right into my arms like she’d been drinking the whole ride there.

“You okay?” I set her to rights and gazed into her brown eyes. She looked… upset?

“Yeah, um…” Her eyes flickered downward as if she was embarrassed to be seen with me, “Just not used to heels, I guess.”

“You made it!” Demetri came up behind me and squeezed Nat’s side, basically pushing me out of the way as that same hand moved lower to her ass. His mouth found her neck. I clenched my fists so tight I felt my knuckles crack.

He winked at me then kissed her neck again. “Damn you look sexy.” His nose dived instantly into her hair as he nuzzled against her like a dog in heat. Demetri was already three sheets to the wind. Well shit. That wasn’t going to go over well with Nat. Maybe she wouldn’t notice? He was practically using her to balance. “Please tell me you’re staying with me tonight?”

I licked my lips and waited for her answer. Maybe she’d say ‘no.’ Maybe she’d reject him. I willed her to say something — anything. Instead, Nat’s eyes met mine — pleaded with mine. What the hell did she want me to do? Intervene?

“Um.” Nat pushed Demetri back a bit. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Enough to feel good, but not so much that I can’t please you later, Babe.” His mouth met hers in another sloppy kiss and I was done.

Curisng under my breath I walked off in search of a corner I could brood in…

I kept my eyes on Nat and Demetri the whole time. He weaved through people, tugging her behind him like she was some sort of little plaything. And then thrust a red cup into her hands.

Don’t drink it, don’t drink it. Shit! I felt like a parent! Demetri should know better.

She took the drink, sniffed it, had a small sip and coughed.

I exhaled in relief, but tensed again when Demetri attacked Nat with his mouth… no he was like, devouring her. For real, clothes were about to go flying if I didn’t step in and do something. I knew my brother and he was going in for the kill. And he was doing it in front of the entire student body.

I had to stop him before he made an ass out of himself. But the minute I took a step forward a girl blocked my view and grabbed me by my leather jacket — laying a sloppy kiss on my mouth.

That’s the thing about being famous. People automatically think you’re a whore. And I was the exact opposite, so when I tasted Jack Daniels on her tongue, I wanted to throw up a bit. Instead, to protect my image, I kissed her softly, set her back on her feet and told her friend to take her home.

She wouldn’t remember a thing in the morning. I, however, was going to have to disinfect my mouth. Then again, it was alcohol; that cleaned things right?

Demetri and Nat were gone. Well shit. All I could do was sit and wait… and pray he wasn’t deflowering the poor thing on the beach — all before I had a chance to tell her how I felt.

CHAPTER NINE

Demetri

GOD, SHE WAS pissing me off. So I took a pill. Big freaking deal! We were at a party and she was seriously starting to kill my buzz with all that crazy talk on the beach. I was over it — I needed someone who could meet me halfway, who knew that when I gave them that ‘look’ it meant I wanted a piece of ass, not a lecture on what I should and shouldn’t be doing with my life.

“I… I need to use the bathroom!” Nat yelled in my ear when we walked back into the house. I shrugged and walked away. Screw her. If I let her think I was upset, she’d crawl back, probably give me sex and then apologize profusely for being so ridiculous. That’s always how it worked, why would she be any different?