“If we slip into a relationship too soon, I’m afraid there’llalways be a nagging doubt.” Wren paid the bartender for the fresh drinks as he set them down.
“Yeah, I still have some groveling to do, huh?” I forced a smile and then sipped my fresh beer. I was up for the challenge.
“I guess so.” With a smirk, he drank his drink. “I have to admit, I enjoy getting gifts from you.”
“You enjoy making me work for this?” I hooked my finger around his belt loop, pulling him closer, heat rising in my belly. Holy hell, I couldn’t stay away. “Do you like knowing you’re driving me insane, wanting to kiss you?” And wasn’t he talking about blow jobs earlier?
His breath hitched, and he snuck a peek at me, then darted his gaze away. “Eli, fuck.” He squeezed his eyes shut for a beat and breathed in deeply. “I want to kiss you too, but that’s not the point.”
Hell, I’d make him want me as much as I wanted him. Coming in close, I whispered in his ear, “I can’t wait to do things to you, Wren. Dirty things. I’ve dreamt about it. I’ve?—”
“Oh, God.” He shivered and adjusted his swollen cock, reaching toward his hip, outlined in his snug jeans. He stepped away from me and shook his hair off his brow. “I need a-a moment.” He straightened his shoulders.
I’d give him his space, and I’d work for him, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t plant myself in his head. Grabbing his shoulder, I said, “Want to?—”
“Wren, what are you doing here?” A man not much bigger than him, with surfer-blond hair and bright eyes, hugged Wren. “I haven’t seen you since last year.”
“Hey, Jasper, how are you?” As Wren released Jasper, he gave him a warm grin.
Heat rustled through my chest, and I clenched my hands into fists. Who the hell was he, and how did he know Wren? Had they ever dated?
“Great, after graduation, I landed a marketing job with one of the tech companies in Chandler.” Jasper glanced my way. “Who’s this? New boyfriend?” He sipped a drink through a thin straw.
“Oh, no, this is an old friend of mine from high school. He’s on the football team and I’m, well, Grace talked me into leaving gymnastics for cheer and so we’ve reconnected.” He gave me a sheepish look.
A friend from high school?Was he fucking kidding me? I drew a deep inhale, calming the urge to force Wren out of here with me. Planting a grin on my face, I said, “Hi, Jasper, I’m Eli. Wren was actually my boyfriend in high school.” I slid my gaze to Wren’s.
Gaping at me, Wren said, “Yeah, but now we’re just friends.”
I didn’t like this, not at all, but I had to calm myself. What was wrong with me? “Jasper, how do you know Wren?” I took a sip of my beer. Maybe my insecurity in the Wren situation was getting the best of me.
“We were both on the gymnastics team last year.” He looked me up and down. “Football, huh? Are you a linebacker? You’re huge.”
“I am.” I swelled my chest. If I flirted with Jasper, could I make Wren jealous? Fuck the shit Wren made me think about.
“Damn, nice.” Jasper tagged Wren on the chest. “Hey, want to dance?” His gaze flew to mine. “As long as your ex approves.” He lifted the edge of his mouth.
“Uh, sure.” Wren sipped his drink and handed it to me. “You don’t mind, do you?”
Fuck yes, I do. “No, of course not.” I should have asked him to dance sooner. Then I wouldn’t be in this situation, damn it. I scanned across the bar, my gaze landing on Malik and Tex still standing at our table. They’d been waiting for us to come back. “I’ll be at the table, Wren.”
“Sure.” With his lips tight, he walked off with Jasper.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” I stomped to the table and set my beer and his drink on it. “Wren is out dancing with some dude he knew last year in gymnastics.” I scowled and crossed my armsover my chest. I wouldn’t even chance a look toward the dance floor.
“What? Are they just friends?” Malik turned, his gaze sweeping the room.
“I don’t know. I sure as hell hope so.” I breathed through the crushing tightness in my chest. Had I already fallen for Wren or had I never fallen out of love with him? This sucked.
“They’re getting pretty, uh, close for just being friends.” Tex, holding his beer up, swayed his head while peering toward the dance floor.
“Don’t tell me that.” I rubbed the heel of my hand across my chest. “I don’t want to know.” Or I might do something stupid, like get between them and snatch Wren up. If I wanted him to trust me again, I couldn’t act like a possessive asshole.
“Are you okay?” Malik planted his hand on my shoulder. “Is it time for us to leave? We will, you know. We promised you, and we stick to our promises, right, Tex?” With pursed lips, he ticked his head at Tex.
“Damn right, we do.” Tex stepped toward me. “It’s up to you, Eli. Tell us what you want.”
“Well, I can’t just leave him here.” I glanced at his drink, resting by mine. “Let’s wait for him to get done with his friend.” And if he didn’t come find me within the hour, I’d change my tune.
