I think with her I always will.
Resting her head back on my shoulder, she closes her eyes and moans as we rock and sway to the beat, clinging to one another with greedy hands. I’m totally fixated on her, beyond bewitched, which is why I don’t spot the attack in time to stop it.
Vivien screams, and I jerk my head up, glaring at the black-haired bitch staring smugly back at me.
28
AGE 20
“What the fuck, Breda?” I bark, noticing the empty pint glass in her hand. What a cunt. I turn Vivien around to inspect the damage. She’s fucking soaked. Wispy strands of her dark hair are plastered to her wet brow, and her makeup is sliding off her face. Green face paint is streaking down her cheeks, and her T-shirt is molded to her body like a second skin. I curse, tossing a venomous look in Breda’s direction before focusing my attention on Vivien. “Are you okay?”
“I need to go.” She tries to free herself from our embrace, but I’m not having it.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m a fucking mess, Dillon,” she says, and I hate the way her voice trembles.
I should have asked someone to get the bouncer for me and had that bitch tossed outside earlier. Then this wouldn’t have happened. Knowing Vivien’s recent history, I can guess where her head has gone. I hate that I’m the reason she got a drink thrown over her tonight. Vivien isn’t the reason I kicked Breda to the curb. Bitch did that all by herself, and I’m fucked if she’s going to take it out on an innocent woman.
Vivien will not be belittled, harassed, or abused on my watch.
“I have a spare shirt in my bag, and I’ll take you to the staff toilets to clean up. She’s not ruining your night.” Taking Vivien’s hand, I link our fingers together.
“C’mon, Dillon. It was only a joke,” Breda says.
“You’re a clingy, jealous cunt, and I’m sick of your shit.” I slant her a dark look. “You’re not welcome around us anymore, so fuck off.”
She goes on a bit of a rant, but I’m done with her. Vivien is my sole priority. I take her to the staff entrance, and we head inside, away from the heat, the noise, and crazy-ass Breda. “I’m really sorry about that,” I say as I lead her along the hallway, loving the feel of her warm, soft hand in mine.
“It’s not your fault your psycho radar is out of whack,” she drawls.
“I’m pretty sure it is my fault,” I say as I lead her into the cloakroom. “I only brought her to your party to wind you up, and now she’s like a dose of bad breath I can’t shake.” I grab my bag and drop it on the ground.
“Nice analogy.”
I open my bag and search through it for the things I need. “Here.” I hand her one of my black T-shirts. “These might help too,” I add, offering her a pack of skin wipes. She arches an elegant brow, and I grin. “Don’t judge. It gets hot as fuck under stage lights.” I stand and point behind her. “Toilet is right across the hall. Take as long as you need. I’ll be right here.”
I watch her walk off, staring at the door long after she’s disappeared inside. Rezipping my bag, I stuff it back in the cubbyhole and head out into the hallway to wait for her.
Things were going so well tonight until Breda had to go and ruin it. I’m betting Vivien is in there telling herself this scene is not unlike the one she just escaped from in L.A. Any progressI’ve made is most likely undone now, and I’ll have to work harder to convince her it’s not the same.
For one, I’m not my twin. He didn’t protect Vivien, and I’m not going to make the same mistake. What happened tonight will never happen again. None of the girls I fucked in the past will be getting near Vivien again. She doesn’t deserve to pay the price for their jealousy. I’m just not sure how I can convince her things will be different this time.
The bathroom door opens, and she reappears in front of me, fresh-faced and looking sexy as sin in my shirt. She has it twisted into a knot under her tits, exposing a large section of toned skin I had my hands all over a little while ago. Lust slams into me. “Fuck me.” I drag a hand through my hair. “You look too fucking good in my shirt.”
I move on autopilot, pinning her to the wall with my body and caging her in between my arms. I breathe in the scent that is uniquely Vivien Mills, and I’m consumed with desire. I need to taste her, or I’ll go insane. I’m seconds from crashing my mouth to hers when my brother’s words return to me. I need to go slow. Let her set the pace. It hurts me not to take control and give us both what we want, but I need to learn patience from somewhere. Right now, I see the conflict raging across her face, and I know she’s talking herself out of it before she confirms it with her words.
“I need to go.” She pushes on my chest, and I take a step back. Her eyes lower to the floor.
“Don’t do that.” I hold her chin and tip it up so those pretty eyes are looking at me. “Don’t shut me out. I know you were into it downstairs.” I touch her cheek. “I promise I’ll tone down my default setting if you don’t push me away.”
Her gaze dips to my mouth, and I lick my lips as lust wars with logic inside me. My movements are slow as I press my body against hers, giving her time and space to stop me. Sweeping myfingers along her neck, I rub my nose against hers, wanting to be much closer but knowing I can’t force this even if she wants this deep down inside.
She drops her wet shirt to the floor and grabs my waist. I take that as my cue to keep going. My lips replace my fingers at her neck, and the little breathy moan she emits when my mouth glides against her soft flesh is music to my ears.
She needs me as much as I need her.
I kiss up and down her neck, wanting to move to her mouth and worship her lips but she’s got to give me permission. Her hips buck against mine, and there’s no way she doesn’t feel my erection. “I know you want this as much as me,” I whisper, moving my lips to her jaw and edging closer to her mouth. “Stop fighting it. Give your body what it needs.” Taking a chance, I run one finger along the waistband of her jeans, and that’s all it takes to break the spell.
