I mean, he’s handsome, that’s undeniable. And Carter, watching from his dark corner, is completely and utterly untouchable. Maybe getting under Halston is exactly what I need to get over Carter.
“Okay, sure,” I mumble. “Let’s go to my place.”
When he leans over and brushes a kiss across my lips, I’m shocked. I expected to him to wait. But now, Carter has clearly seen another man kiss me and I have no clue what to do about that.
“Let’s go,” he says, smiling at me.
I nod in agreement and attempt to slide off the stool. My foot slips and I crumble to the ground, giggling like a fool the whole time.
Halston reaches down to help me up, but I slip again, falling into a pool of hysterical laughter. I don’t know why I think it’s so funny, I should be mortified, but there I am, laughing like an idiot.
But then I see Carter. In a flash he appears over Halston’s shoulder, then pushes him out of the way and leans down and grabs me under my arms and pulls me to my feet.
“You’re drunk!” Carter admonishes me, but all I can do is feel his hands on me.
“You’re touching me!” I retort. “I thought I was off limits!”
“Goddammit, Eve!” He says. To his credit, Halston stands back, watching Carter man-handle me. “I’m taking you home. You’ve clearly reached your limit.”
“You’ve clearly reached your limit!” I mumble under my breath, mocking him.
“Let’s get you home,” he says.
“You good, Eve?” Halston says, finally, eyeing Carter curiously.
“I’m fine,” I say, trying not to slur my words. “This is my forbidden lover!”
“Eve! Stop! Shut up!” Carter hisses, looking around desperately.
“Right on,” Halston says. “Well, take care, I guess.”
Carter ushers me outside and sets me down on a bench while he calls for a ride.
“I’m fine, you don’t have to take me home,” I insist.
“I know I don’t have to, but I wasn’t about to let you get assaulted while you’re this fucking drunk, for fuck’s sake,” he said, shoving his phone back in his pocket and sitting down next to me.
“Assaulted?” I ask, wrinkling my nose. “I said I was fine.”
“Whatever, that guy would have taken advantage of you as soon as he had you alone, and we both know that’s true.”
“At least he wants me,” I said, shrugging.
He looks over at me, sadness filling his eyes. He grabs my chin, staring intently into my eyes.
“Don’t ever think for a fucking second I don’t want you, Eve.”
His words pierce my heart.
“I want you so much it fucking hurts,” he continues. “You and I both know why we can’t be together. But that doesn’t make my feelings go away.”
The car pulls up before I can respond. Within seconds, Carter has me belted into the backseat while the driver whisks us back to my house.
ChapterTwelve
Carter
I’m not aboutto leave Eve alone in this state, so I give the driver my address. She leans against me in the backseat, mumbling to herself. All I can do is feel the weight of her body against mine. It’s a struggle to keep my hands to myself. I remind myself repeatedly that she’s drunk.