She reaches out, her hand grazing mine. “Why?”
That’s a loaded question. I could lie, but I’m tired of lying to her. “Because you make me forget about all the ugly shit for a minute. Because I want to.”
She goes quiet, searching my face again. “Why did you just up and leave that night?” she asks.
I stare at our hands touching. “Because I’m not a good person, Aubrey. I came here to disappear, not to fuck up your life too.”
She squeezes my fingers. “What if I don’t care about all that? Maybe I want you to fuck up my life a little.”
My jaw ticks. She has no idea what she’s asking for. Darkness isn’t just a mood…it’s a habit, a hunger. But her hand fits so perfectly in mine…so warm, and for a second, I want to believe this could be something else.
“Come on, tough guy,” she says, trying to pull me up. “Dance with me.”
I grunt. “I don’t dance.”
She won’t take no for an answer, and that’s how I end up on the sticky floor, her arms around my neck, mine gripping her waist. The music is slow, a sad song about heartbreak and highways. Her body fits perfectly against mine, and I rest my chin on the top of her head, breathing her in.
“See?” Aubrey whispers. “This isn’t so hard.”
I squeeze her hips, pulling her closer. “Depends on who you’re dancing with.”
She laughs, soft and sweet, and for a minute, I let myself have this moment. Her hands, her warmth, the way her body moves with mine. I want to kiss her, want to take her home, want to rip that fucking top off and see if she tastes as good as I remember.
She tilts her head up and catches my mouth with hers. Fuck it…I give in. Her lips are soft, and she tastes like whiskey. I’m gone. I pull her flush against me, deepening the kiss. I don’t care who’s watching, don’t care what happens next.
When we finally break apart, she’s breathless, pupils dilated. “So, are you sticking around this time?”
I hesitate, the darkness of my world pressing in on me. I want to promise her everything. But promises are poison for a guy like me.
“For tonight,” I say, my voice hoarse. “I’m yours for tonight.” She smiles back at me like that’s enough.
Maybe for now, it is.
The rest of the night is a blur…more drinks, more laughter, stolen glances that get bolder each time. We slip out back, behind the bar, for air, but the second the door closes, she’s on me again, mouth hungry, hands greedy. I pin her to the wall, my mouth on her neck, and she moans…desperate and real.
I want her so fucking bad it hurts. But I have to slow down. I grip her waist, breathing hard. “Let’s get out of here,” I rasp.
She nods, already pulling me toward the parking lot.
The night air is cool; the sky full of stars. For a minute, I let myself hope.
Maybe I can have this. Maybe I can have her.
But the darkness never really leaves. And I know sooner or later, I’ll have to pay for every good thing I touch. But for tonight, I’m giving in.
For tonight, I’m hers.
Chapter 5
Aubrey
Dean’s mouthis hot on my throat, his hands rough on my hips as he drives me into the mattress. I gasp, arching under him, nails digging into his shoulders. He groans, low and throaty, like he’s barely holding it together. The room smells like whiskey, sweat, and sex. It’s dizzying, intoxicating, the kind of memory that’s burned into your brain forever.
“Fuck, Aubrey,” he growls, tongue running up my jaw, nipping my flesh. “You feel so damn good. I can’t get enough of you.”
I tug him closer, legs wrapped tight around his waist, pulling him deeper. My pussy is so wet and aching for him, every nerve raw, screaming for release. He kisses me hard, pinning my wrists above my head. The stubble of his beard rubs against my neck as he bites down, making me whimper, then he works his way lower, teeth and tongue dragging over my collarbone until his mouth finds my tits, sucking one nipple between his lips and making me arch up for more.
He shifts, trailing his hand between my thighs, fingers sliding over my bare cunt…slow, almost teasing. “You want more, Aubrey?” he rasps, his voice sounding wrecked.
