Page 6 of Mine to Ruin

His face flashes with annoyance, which in turn annoys me. “I know you wanted it. Especially since we’ve been eye-fucking each other for the last hour, and you teased me until I snapped.”

My lips part, and he places his finger on them. “Don’t lie to me, angel, or I will have to call you on it. Actually… do that. It would be my fucking pleasure.”

That smug expression is back on his face. I cross my hands over my chest and stick my nose in the air. Who does he think he is?

“Look, we scratched the itch. Let’s move on. It’s not as if it was memorable or anything.” I gesture between us, feigning an indifference I don’t quite feel.

He cocks his head, raising an eyebrow. “Or anything.” His deep voice sends a shiver down my spine.

Something tells me this man lives to prove others wrong. It must be the alcohol, or the kiss, or something I’m not delving into, but I stare right into his eyes, biting my lip, and his laser focus returns to my mouth. It’s a heady feeling, possessing all his attention.

“Too bad it wasn’t memorable,” he says, and my jaw drops. I push him away and he chuckles. Ugh, the insufferable, arrogant asshole. As if I am ever going to beg for a kiss.

I pass him, but he grips my elbow and leans in to say,

“Next time, I might give you what you want…If you’re brave enough to admit you want it.”

“There won’t be a next time.”

“We’ll see about that.”

No, there won’t be. Whatever voodoo he used on my body, it won’t happen again. I won’t let it.

Back at the table, I down my cocktail, the scene playing itself over in my mind, his words the soundtrack. What is wrong with me? He’s bad, a terrible decision, the worst yet. It’s as if my eyes have a will of their own as they search for him. But he’s nowhere in sight and disappointment grows inside me, but also frustration over the fact I can’t seem to stop.

I caress my lips, a phantom kiss still lingering. The girls eye me questioningly, and Aubrey snaps her fingers in my face. I shake myself out of the trance and they grab my hands, and we end up on the crowded dance floor. I close my eyes and let my body sway to the music.

When we’re back at our table, a bottle of champagne has appeared, and the waiter uncorks it. Bubbly liquid rushes over the top and Aubrey asks him where it came from. My eyes dart to that spot and there he is, looking at me, the same smug expression on his face, those eyes doing things on my insides I can’t comprehend.

I glare at him, ready to send the bottle back to him, when Aubrey downs the first glass. He raises his glass to me when a gorgeous blonde, with legs that belong on a runway, says something, and he nods.

I turn away. Fury dots my vision, and I bolt out of there, making my way through the crowd until I reach the exit. What if that’s his girlfriend? I kissed a taken man. Outside, my lungs grab the fresh air, and I lean against the wall. What is wrong with me?

I feel more than see him in front of me. This is a dream. No, a nightmare. I must have tripped and banged my head, and I am now in a coma, and my mind came up with this ultimate fantasy for my body to indulge and splurge before they disconnect me. There is no other logical explanation.

“Please, tell me I didn’t kiss someone else’s boyfriend,” I whisper, my insides coiling with dread.

“You didn’t.”

Relief surges through me and I glance to the sky, the bright lights of the hotel seem to dim the stars. He follows my gaze.

“I miss the stars,” I say, melancholy washing over me.

Curiosity seeps through his words as he says, “You’re not from here.”

“No. I’m here for school.”

“And you picked Las Vegas?” Incredulity laces his question. A small smile parts my lips and I shrug. I get the impression he’s not easily surprised.

“Nothing remains the same here. Everything changes so fast. I like the anonymity.” I sway on my heels, and he narrows those inquisitive eyes on me.

“Never thought of that,” he says and tucks his hands in his pockets.

“What do you like?”

“That I rule it.”

I expect to see the trace of him joking, but his expression is set in stone as his intense eyes stay fixed on mine.

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