“My friend is here too, she’s just a little more comfortable in this type of setting.”
“Not the partier?” I laughed at his question and instantly felt foolish. He probably thought I was a freak.
“Far from it.” Taking in a deep breath, I worried my hands in front of me, trying to fight off the anxious feelings that were starting to pool deep in my stomach. “This is my first one.”
He said nothing, and when I chance a glance at him I found him staring at me like I’d grown a second head or something.
“Like ever?” I’d already said it, there was no backing out now. So instead I just nodded and his eyes widened.
“My dad’s strict and it’s always been easier to just sit back instead of giving him reasons to feel disappointed.”
“He doesn’t need to know everything,” he said, but somehow my father always did. I didn’t say that, but it’s true. I always felt like he was looking over my shoulder, waiting to lecture me on missed opportunities and poor choices. “Every college student should experience the college life.”
I’d allowed so many to pass me by but being here, with him, it felt freeing. It was simple, nothing close to the items on the list that Darcy expected me to complete, but nice.
“I’m Jay.” He held out his hand I looked down at it and took in a slow, calming breath before placing mine in his.
“Ruby.” I never intended to whisper my name but feeling his warm palm caressing mine made my heart race unbelievably fast.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ruby.” His smile was distracting. Slightly crooked, the left side tipped up a small fraction higher than the right, showing a little sliver of bright white teeth. It was alluring, a little dangerous maybe but also so inviting. He had yet to release my hand. “I don’t really like the idea of you being here alone.”
But I wasn’t alone, I was with him.
He looked around once more and I heard the sounds of yelling coming from inside. Jay suddenly looked even more worried, only it wasn’t aimed solely toward me any longer.
“Why don’t you let me help you find your friend?” I nodded, though the last thing I wanted him to do was pass me off to Darcy. I wanted to stay right where we were, doing exactly what we were doing.
Standing slowly, he helped me up and I had to tilt my head back to look up at him. He was so tall, and I loved that. The way he too was staring at me made me wonder what exactly it was that was going on in his mind. Was he looking at my lips and imagining all the things I was? Slow kisses, leading to more intense and hungry ones where we just couldn’t manage to get enough no matter how hard we tried to ease the need.
“I―” His words were interrupted by a loud crash from inside that made me jump in surprise. “Shit.” Without warning, I was being led toward the door, his hand still holding my own firmly. As the door opened and he led me inside, I was tucked in close to his side, protected from the crazy goings on around us.
A few guys were rough housing in the middle of the living room, people stood around laughing and some encouraging them on. It looked innocent enough but things quickly began to shift. Jay wrapped me up closer, and had it not been for the wild scene before me, I would have taken the time to enjoy his embrace. Frankly, I was a little worried as things began to escalate.
“Isaac.” The rumble of Jay’s voice echoed in the ear I had pressed to his chest. His free arm trailed outward, motioning toward something or someone. His other arm was still holding me, and I knew if I were not near he’d be doing what he could to tame the wild himself.
So without thinking, I attempted to back away, and as I spun outward, I immediately regretted my movements. Something unforgiven collided with the right side of my face and things went dark for a few seconds. Lifting my hand to cover the now throbbing spot on my cheek, I heard the muffled sounds of my name.
“Ruby.” His voice was angry. “Back the fuck off!” I knew he wasn’t talking to me.
“Oh my God!” A shrilling squeal made me squint and my head throb. “What the hell happened to her?” It was all happening so fast.
I was lifted and carried off. I knew who held me just by smelling the intoxicating cologne. I curled in tighter and allowed him to rescue me as a sick feeling began to pool in my stomach.
Bile rose in my throat, and even though I tried like crazy to fight it, it was unstoppable.
Covering my mouth, I looked around for a place to hide, but I was in the middle of a bedroom with no escape. Darcy and Jay, as well as a guy I didn’t recognize, hovered over me. It was coming and fast.
“She’s gonna throw up.”
No, I’m not. I refuse to have this be the memory of the night I met him.
***
I felt horrible, and I’d barely drank a thing. My head honestly pounded, as did my face. “Oh.” My face hurt so bad. I tried to open my eyes, but the right one wouldn’t budge.
Lifting my hand upward, the second it touched my cheek I cried out in pain.
“Wait!” Darcy hurried in closer and I noticed the ice pack she was
