“I’m not hung up on nothing and nobody.” My chest aches at my lies.
“Oh, really? Then fucking prove it, Breaker.” Jessica’s hungry grin excites me, while confusing the hell out of me. This isn’t what I want. “Word is you don’t cower from a dare.” Her small hand wraps around my shirt, tugging me tight to her. She bites the corner of her lip, enticing me to dive down a rabbit hole I’ll never come out of. “I dare you.”
“Dare me to what, Jessica? I love a riddle as much as the next guy, but I’m going to need you to speak.”
“Kiss me right now, in front of your precious Delaney. Prove you aren’t pining over a girl who has clearly moved on.” The gleam in her pupils tells me this girl is trouble. Lucky for her, trouble is exactly what I’m hungry for.
With an easy demeanor, I lift my head and freeze. The thumping music no longer holds my senses hostage. The sight in front of me has my stomach rolling, demanding my attention.
Next to Delaney is Tripp DuPont.
Anyone who’s anyone knows who this mother fucker is. He’s rich in the way that should be illegal. Unfortunately, I can’t report it’s from stealing and malicious activity. The DuPonts are the worst kind of wealthy. Old money, so deeply rooted in this country, they have their greedy hands in every pot.
“What is she doing with a guy like him?” I whisper my worst nightmare.
Jessica grips my chin, forcing my attention to her. “My guess is the rich boy charmed her pants right off.”
With force, I grab her wrist and pin it behind her. Jessica grins as I drive her body against the closest wall, making a huge scene in the process.
“You want to play games, Jessica? Then let’s play.” I press my hips into her body, releasing her wrist to trace her face with a single finger.
“You’re hurting me,” she whimpers with enough pain and pleasure to have me pressing harder.
“Isn’t that what you want from me? You waltzed up to me like you knew what you’d be getting into.” I move my hands next to her body, pinning her between me and the wall.
The way her eyes dart away tells me she isn’t so sure anymore. Good, because I’m in no mood to hold this girl’s hand and call her pretty. What I’m in need of is currently playing grab ass with the richest prick this side of the Mississippi. Since I can’t have what my body wants, the only thing that will suffice is someone not willing to fall in love with me, and it’s not this girl.
Jessica smiles, relaxing into the small space I’ve given her. She believes she could be different, but not a single pussy in this room can alleviate the ache Delaney creates. Jessica shows her hand when she bites her lip, while angling her hips towards mine. No doubt she’s imagining us connected in all the right places. Once that sexual fog breaks, she’ll hear wedding bells.
“I don’t have time to babysit someone’s heart, baby.” I lower myself dangerously close to her cheek and peck my lips against her soft skin. “I’m not your boy tonight.”
A low whimper exits her mouth as I angle away from her. Delaney is watching it play out under the guise of talking to DuPont. His polo-covered back is to me. I shake my head and take a sharp right behind him, making a show for Delaney.
Rows of shots are lined up on the kitchen island, so I claim a stool and swipe two, downing them with such swiftness, I barely feel the burn.
“What was wrong with that hot chick?” Dixon asks, settling in next to me.
I’ve tried to hook up and he knows it. Nothing works. None of them are worth the trouble.
I spin around, facing the windows overlooking the backyard. Large heaters are set up for anyone who partakes in a little green. My leg shakes. Damn, this pill is making me anxious. I pull at the collar of my shirt, hoping to release some of the heat smoldering on my chest. I need to smoke to calm myself down.
“She’d be too easy,” I say, shrugging off his disapproval.
“Since when is that a bad thing?” Dixon laughs, patting me on the shoulder as he stumbles to his feet. Before he walks off, he hands me one more shot and nods his chin to the side. “You’ll need this, I’m sure.”
Delaney’s hip sway in her tight, brown leather dress. The confidence in her walk reminds me I’ve not had the chance to break it which makes me angry and remorseful.
“It’s a sin to be that gorgeous, Delaney.” I lean forward, propping my elbows on my thighs.
“Yeah, well, sinning is your specialty, so consider this me taking over for a little while.” Her laughter is soft like her skin, and yet, cuts deep.
“What are you doing over here?” I sit up to face her. She scoots away the second my boots hit the marble floor, and I rise. “He’ll hate seeing you speaking to the likes of me, you know?”
“Who? Tripp?” She leans against the counter, rolling a shot glass between her fingers.
“No, the other clown you showed up with, Delaney.” I roll my eyes. “Yeah, Tripp DuPont.”
“What’s your problem?” she squawks, shoving her hand to my chest. “I came over to say hi.”
“Don’t bother, Princess. I don’t need your pleasantries, and I sure as fuck don’t need you using me to make your boyfriend jealous.”
“Tripp isn’t my boyfriend.”
I spin, trapping her against the countertop. She doesn’t try to put distance between us. Instead, she settles in the spot where she belongs.
“You fucking him?” My eyes skirt to her chest, then
