Page 106 of Cruel Steps

It sounded like her friend coughed the words, “hot sex,” but I didn’t take my eyes off Emerson to confirm. She stepped forward, her breasts brushing across my crossed arms, and I held back my groan. She bit her lip, sending arousal straight to my dick. She leaned in close, and I caught a whiff of her pomegranate body wash.

It wasn’t something I’d become obsessed with and used to help out my dick problem. Not this guy.

“Colter fucked me in the library today. How’s that for a password?”

My brain stuttered at her dirty and crass words. Fucking hell.

Envy and lust invaded my body, and I became heated all over. I wanted nothing more than to slam her against the wall and have my way with her. Right here. Right now.

The lights went out, and the crowd went wild as the next group of dancers took their place. My fingers twitched with the need to take advantage of the blackness and get my needs met, but Emerson used it, too, and pushed past me before I could stop her.

Waiting for the next security to relieve me was torture. I kept bouncing on my toes, wondering what she was doing. Had she left already? Did she stay and dance in the crowd like some of the others?

“New guy. You’re free to go,” a bulky guy said, taking my place.

I didn’t take the time to introduce myself and headed to the security room. I stripped out of my uniform, tossed it into the dry cleaning basket, and pulled on my street clothes. I grabbed my keys and phone, clocked out, and was out the door within a few minutes. I scanned the hallway, but didn’t see anyone, and picked up my steps.

The guy at the door nodded as I exited, and I scanned the lot for her car. She’d already been here when I’d arrived earlier. Her shifts were five hours where mine were only three. I’d been half tempted to come and sit in the bar and watch her dance until it was time to clock in, but I knew I needed to use it to study since I’d gone and committed myself to something that wasn’t football.

Her car was still in the lot, but she wasn’t. Leaning against the side of her car, I sighed in relief that I hadn’t missed her. The longer I waited, the more I feared she’d gotten into trouble again. I’d heard more about the attack from Hendrix after I’d been hired, and I wanted to wring that asshole’s neck for touching what was mine. Fear licked up my spine the longer I waited. Was her jackass dance instructor here? Did he find her? I paced back and forth and tugged at my hair. Shit. Maybe I should go back inside and check on her.

The door opened, and a few girls exited, laughing. I instantly spotted Emerson, and my heart slowed to its normal rhythm. The sight of her blonde hair had my dick twitching. I was glad she’d taken off the pink wig. It looked good on her, but I preferred her natural locks. The other girls spotted me first and giggled. The one that had been with her earlier nudged Emerson and whispered something to her. Wildcat blushed, and I grinned. Now smug, I stayed leaning against her car, not caring what the girls had said. Emerson sighed, said bye to the others, and broke off toward me.

“I’m beginning to think you’re my stalker.”

I growled and twisted her so she was against the door. “That’s not something to joke about, Wildcat. Why do you think I’m here?” It was partly true. I wanted to keep her safe, but the thought of being away from her and having other guys watch her dance had been the main component.

“Because you’re a sadist? I don’t know!” She slapped my chest.

“Keep telling yourself that.” We stared at one another, neither of us saying anything else. After it sounded like all the other girls were gone, I pulled back. “You headed home?” She nodded, and I relaxed.

“I’ll follow you there.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t protest. Progress.

I got into my truck and waited for her. I scanned the lot while she started her Audi, and my eyes caught on a suspicious car across the street. But by the time we pulled out, it was gone.

The drive to the house was quiet, and only a few cars were out this late in Oak Hills. The house was also dark, and I trailed behind her into the house. She unlocked her door, and then I went into mine. I listened as she finished in the bathroom and then went in. Despite neither of us saying anything, we moved in tandem like we’d done it a million times.

“Good night, Wildcat.”

She paused at the door, her eyes meeting mine over her shoulder. “Good night, Holden.”

That night, I went to bed and slept better than I had in a week—since the last time I had her in my arms.

As I prepared for the game, the day rushed by. The Crushers were a hard team, and it would be a tough win. I finished pulling on my pads as Colter walked into the locker room with a big smile. Somehow, I knew he’d just seen Emerson.

“You don’t have to rub it in,” I grumbled.

“Get your groveling on, and you can get your good luck kiss, too,” he said.

“Groveling? I said I was sorry already.”

He shook his head. “Dude. You said it and told her you’d show her, but so far, all you’ve done is follow her around like a lovesick puppy.”

“I also gave her my jersey,” I mumbled.

“That was more for you, and you know it. You need to do something just for her, or at least something to show her you’re serious. The tension between you two is insane, but she was right; you didn’t build trust. Your foundation started as great sex. That’s not the problem. You need to emotionally connect with her now.”

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