Bree’s hands come down softly on my arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
I take a breath. “It’s okay.” Bree just wants what’s best for me, I know that. I link my arms in hers and send her a grin, my anger forgotten. “Now, let’s go dance.”
The music surrounds us the minute we push through the door, the thumping beat carrying us into a club full of people like a tidal wave. With Bree on my arm, we head to the bar and wave down a bar tender.
A second later, a perky blonde pops up, a customer service smile plastered on her face as she shouts over the music. “What can I get for ya’ll?”
“A coke, two tequila shots and a Cosmo!” Bree shouts, her hands cupped to amplify her words. Once we’ve gotten our drinks, we head over to the table where Abel is sitting nursing a beer. He smiles, his eyes brightening at the sight of Bree.
When she told me about him, I have to admit that I was worried. College guys can be pigs, but now I can see that I had no reason to worry. Abel looks at her like she’s the sun that he orbits around.
I smile as she shimmies into the booth, smiling up at Abel, a tipsy giggle leaving her throat as he presses a kiss to her brow. “You two are sickeningly cute.” I say, sipping at my coke.
Bree shots her first tequila, her face scrunching up in disgust before answering. “Indeed, we are.” She nuzzles into him, and I look away, giving them some privacy.
The club was busy when we got her an hour ago, but now, it’s full to the brim with college students and people from town all looking to get liquored up and have a night full of dancing and bad decisions.
For once, I feel normal. Like a normal college student who can do normal student things. Here I can pretend I’m just another carefree student who doesn’t have to worry about her alcoholic father or the price of gas and groceries. Here, I can be Evelyn the college student.
“What’s that smile for?” Bree asks.
“It feels good to do normal student stuff, you know?”
Bree laughs. “You need to let loose more often, Ev.” She sips her Cosmo. “Just think how much more productive you could be if you get that stress danced out of you once a week.”
“You make a good point.” I muse.
“I do!” She jumps up, spilling some of her drink down her chest but she’s already tipsy and doesn’t care. She places her hand in mine. “Come on, let’s go dance.”
She pulls me forward, onto the dance floor and we’re immediately swallowed by a crowd of writhing bodies. I keep my grip strong as we wade through the masses, finding an open space in the middle. I sway my hips, moving with the melody of the music, and let myself go. My hands go to my hips, teasing the gold material as I flow with the melody of the music.
I’m still simmering with the desire from earlier, my pussy throbbing with need because all I can think of is him. Closing my eyes, I roll my head and imagine him, his eyes. They’re like gates to another world filled with grass and pine, the flecks of gold like a blanket of stars hovering above. I imagine them narrowing on me as I dance, zeroing in on my sweat slicked body, his jaw clenching as he tells me to dance for him.
I’m so lost in the fantasy that I don’t realise someone has joined me until his hands are on my hips. Turning slightly, I see a familiar face – Jake, the jock type from Asher’s class – peering down at me.
He leans down. “Do you mind if I join you?” His warm breath tickles my ear and my body almost jerks in revulsion. This isn’t who you want, it whispers.
I ignore it, that feeling that this is wrong, and smile at him, shaking my head. “Go for it.”
He smiles, and a dimple appears making him look almost boyish. So different to the dark, brooding professor who seems determined to stalk my every thought and fantasy. The desire I have for him is … it’s unreasonable. I’m going to have to work in close quarters with this man for God sake. I cannot be having a silly little crush on him. I have to focus, and maybe this the way to do it. Gritting my teeth against the images of Asher, I take a step forward, stepping right into Jake’s arms.
He runs a hand through his sandy brown-blonde hair. “It’s Evelyn, right?”
I nod. “And you’re Jake?”
“The one and only.”
The truth is, Jake is hot. He’s got that golden boy look to him, a southern gentleman type with a panty dropping smile and boyish good looks that are kind of disarming. Usually, I’d be up for this, for him. And I really do not want to contemplate why exactly I’m finding it near impossible right now. Nope.
Pushing away all thoughts, I let myself go. I swivel my hips, pressing my ass into Jake, his guttural groan approving as I grind to the music, desperate to be part of it. Jake’s hands squeeze my hips, and I spy Bree sending me a wink, mouthing the words you go girl. I smile back.
Three songs pass in a blur of Jake’s body on mine, and eventually, I tug on Jake’s shirt, pointing to the bar and using the universal sign for I need another drink. Dancing is thirsty work, and I have no alcohol rushing through my system to hide the dehydration.
He nods and we edge ourselves out of the throng of writhing bodies. He leads me to the side, to a place in the corner where its quieter.
“What can I get you?” He shouts over the music.
“Just a water, please.”