Page 53 of Unexpected Love

Chapter Sixteen

I do one last flip of my hair, spraying it with hair spray and then flipping it back. I smooth out the flyaways and then grab my red lipstick out of my makeup bag. I swipe it across my lips and blot them before putting the cap back on. I look at myself in the mirror. “You’re going to have a good time,” I whisper to myself.

I figure if I repeat that to myself over and over, I’ll start to believe it. My outfit looks good on me, making my breasts look bigger and my ass look high and tight. Hopefully Joe likes my outfit. I slip on a couple necklaces, a bracelet, and some rings. I step out into the hall and find Joe cleaning up the dinner dishes.

He’s wearing a white t-shirt that molds to his lean muscled body and a pair of boot cut jeans that showcase his nice ass and the impressive bulge he has in the front. He’s got a pair of black Nikes on his feet. I won’t lie—he looks so fucking gorgeous.

When Joe turns toward me, his eyes scan my body, stopping at my face. “Damn, baby, you look incredible. Make sure you stick by me tonight…I don’t want to have to beat asses if some asshole tries to fuck with you.”

Moving toward him, I stop when we’re almost touching. I place my hands on his chest and inhale his familiar, warm woodsy scent. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“You ready to go?” I nod, and he grabs my hand and my car keys and heads outside. He opens the passenger door for me, and I buckle my seatbelt and watch him as he moves around the front end and then climbs in the driver’s side.

I watch as he adjusts the seat for his long legs, and then we make our way toward a little subdivision. There’s a bunch of cars lining the street and people milling around the huge yard next to a beautiful ranch home.

I meet Joe on the sidewalk, and hand in hand, we walk toward the house. This is reminiscent of the last house party I was at—the day I lost our baby. As quickly as those thoughts arise, I push them away. Now’s not the time to think about such things.

We step into the house without knocking since the door is propped open. People stop Joe, and he introduces me. I’ve met so many people I can’t keep names straight. He grabs us a couple of beers. With his arm around mine, we head out French doors in the dining room.

His friend Chris sees us and waves us over. “Don’t worry—I won’t let him talk to your boobs.” I laugh and bump my hip against his.

“What’s up, brother? Chloe, you’re looking mighty fine tonight. If you’re looking for a real man to take care of you, you can always come to me, baby.”

I shake my head, but Joe leans toward him. “Dude, that is never gonna fucking happen.”

Chris throws his head back and starts to laugh. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen. You’re gonna break some hearts tonight.” Joe’s friend turns to the crowd and hollers. “Ladies, it is with great sadness that I announce that Joe Carmichael is off the market.”

My face heats up as every woman there turns and stares at us. They look disappointed, and when they turn to me, it’s jealousy and something else…anger, maybe.

“Seriously, asshole?” Joe says, and all Chris does is shrug his shoulders.

I look up at Joe. “Should I be worried now? Am I possibly going to get stabbed or something tonight?”

“Baby, I’m a cop. I’ll protect you.”

“Whatever you say, Officer Playboy.” I feel his hand slide down my back until he cups my ass and then gives it a swat.

Why does that turn me on? I’ve played a little bit before, and it was okay, but with Joe…with Joe it felt like so much more. He dominated me, and when he handcuffed me, I swear I almost came.

Joe leads me toward the back of the yard where there’s a fire blazing. He introduces me to a few more guys that he grew up with. They all seem nice, but some of them just seem really immature. Two guys off to the side are making out with the same girl. There’s a group of girls dirty dancing with each other while a bunch of guys stand around and watch.

I look at Joe, and he’s oblivious to it, but he’s obviously also oblivious to the fact that I’m uncomfortable. I’m no prude, but I was also never really wild, either. I won’t lie: I was a good girl.

Joe leaves me to grab us another drink. I should’ve gone with him, but I don’t want to seem like one of those needy girls that have to stay by her man’s side. That’s not me. Chris comes sauntering over as soon as Joe disappears.

“Hey, Chloe.”

“Hey, Chris. Your place is gorgeous. As big as this yard is, I bet it takes you forever to mow it.”

He smiles down at me, and it gives me an uneasy feeling. He doesn’t hide the fact that he’s perusing my body with his eyes. Chris surprises me, reaching out and grabbing a strand of my hair. He gives it a little tug. “This isn’t my place—it’s my parents’. They’re out of town.” He looks toward the house and then back at me. “Did Joe tell you about our parties?”

I shake my head. “What about your parties?”

He tugs on my hair, and I try to back away. “Have you ever had a threesome? Have you ever let two men inside your body at the same time?”

“Excuse me?”

“Joe and I like to share, and I would love to have a taste of you. Would you let me? Would you let me have a little taste?” My heart is racing, and an ugly feeling swirls in my belly.

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