“Yep.” I can hear the smirk in his voice as he unlocks the door, letting in a sliver of light from the hall. “Don’t worry, kitten. I’ll make it up to you… eventually.”
“You’re evil,” I whisper, squeezing my thighs together to ease the ache.
“Just playing by your rules. Don’t you dare make yourself come. Cuz’ I’ll know.”
Then he’s gone.
I manage to find the light and switch it on. The harsh glare has me blinking against it as I make my way to the mirror.
My lips are swollen and smudged with red, cheeks flushed, hair a wild tangle from Ryder’s hands. My pupils are blown, and my dress is wrinkled where he’d bunched it up around my waist.
“Jesus,” I mutter to myself.
Grabbing a paper towel, I swipe at my smeared lipstick and smooth my hair with trembling fingers. The flush on my chest is harder to hide, but I fan myself vigorously, willing my body to cool the fuck down.
Finally, I adjust my dress, and after a few deep breaths, I reapply my lipstick from the tube Sasha insisted I bring.
“Guess I’m gonna need a drink or four as well.”
THIRTY-SIX
noia
Back in the main room,the party is in full swing. I make a beeline for the bar, desperate for something to cool my rage.
“Whiskey,” I tell the bartender. “Make it a double.”
Ryder is on the other side of the room, leaning against the bar, looking far too pleased with himself as he talks with Jax and a couple of other guys I don’t recognize.
I take the shot glass set in front of me and throw it back. The liquor burns its way down my throat, a welcome distraction from the throbbing between my legs.
“There you are!” Sasha rushes up to stand beside me. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Oh, yeah?” I raise an eyebrow, taking in her disheveled appearance. “And where have you been? You disappeared earlier.”
Her cheeks flush almost as red as her hair. “Just... having fun. Hanging out with Jax.”
“Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” I snort, signaling for another shot.
“Oh, hell no.” Sasha grins and bumps her hip against mine. “What about you? Your neck is all flushed.”
Downing the other shot, I huff out a laugh. “Ryder took our slow-burn deal to a whole other level.”
My bestie leans in with a grin. “What did he do now?”
I signal the bartender for another drink, this time for a Whiskey Sunrise. Can’t get drunk too quick. Gotta keep myself in check.
“He took me into the bathroom and… edged me. Then told me he would ‘make it up to me eventually’,” I tell her with air quotes.
“Oh no, he didn’t.”
“He sure as fuckin’-A did.”
Sasha’s eyes narrow as she leans close. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Honestly?” I take my drink from the bartender with a thank you and take a sip. “I have no idea. This slow-burn shit is driving me absolutely insane. Every time I try to turn the tables on him, it backfires. He always gives way more than he gets.”
I scan the room, and my gaze lands on Claire and Lizzy sitting in a booth across from the bar, deep in conversation.
