Page 30 of Corrupt Me

Impulse took over the moment our lips touched. My fingers curled into his hair as he responded, his mouth moving against mine. He coaxed my lips to part, edging them open with his tongue. A tremor ran through me. His hands slid from my hips to cup my ass, fingers squeezing to press me firmly against thehardness bulging in the front of his pants. For a split second, I tried to suppress the moan that rose within me, but it was as impossible as swimming to the deepest parts of the ocean.

Tristan captured the sound with the kiss, and I completely forgot about the music and the people surrounding us. Until someone bumped into me, mumbling an apology I barely heard.

Breaking off the kiss, I stared into Tristan’s eyes clouded with desire. I licked my lips, tasting him on them. “Goodnight, Tristan,” I said breathily, planning to walk away and keep my head in the game.

But like always, Tristan had an agenda. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Home. Alone,” I added when I saw the thick desire in his eyes. I didn’t know how I got the words out because it was all lies. I didn’t want to leave, not without him. The only place I wanted to go was somewhere with a bed.

Everything about Tristan was darkly alluring, and I couldn’t help but be enticed by the entire package. “We’re not done here, Shortcake. We’re just getting started.” He closed the distance and covered my mouth with his, taking complete possession of my lips, of my body, of me.

I was powerless to do anything but kiss him back.

His mouth was hard on mine. Flames exploded inside me. Our tongues tangled, teasing and tormenting each other. I couldn’t get enough of him. I wanted more. Needed more. He tasted of beer and something sweet, cherry candy perhaps. The flavor became an addiction I craved.

I’d dreamed a million times of what it would be like to kiss Tristan Malone. What it would feel like. How his lips would shape against mine.

No dream or fantasy could come close to the real thing. I should have known Tristan would evoke feelings I shouldn’t have, emotions I couldn’t control.

I’d never wanted anything in my life as much as I wanted him right now. The fact we were surrounded by people in the middle of the street mattered very little to me. I was so fucking absorbed in him. I probably would have ripped off his clothes right there. No logical thought existed in my head. I was wholly submersed in Tristan.

And I was losing the game.

twelve

Nothing good lasted forever. Especially, since I wasn’t sure anything about Tristan was good. Just because something felt amazing, like really, damn amazing, didn’t make it right.

Tristan broke off the kiss as quickly as he’d possessed my lips, and I stumbled against him. His hands released me almost the same time as his lips. “Go the fuck home, Ever,” he growled. “Before I embarrass you more than you already have by yourself.”

I did my best to ignore the humming of my blood. “Why did you kiss me then?”

He shrugged. “You think you’re the only girl I’ve kissed tonight? Grow up. You’re not in high school anymore.”

Of all the things he could say to me, the dig at my age, at my naivety, hit a sore spot—an insecurity when it came to him. I’d always felt like the younger, annoying sister to Tristan, and he made sure to put me back in my place.

Fuck that.

Fuck him.

He wanted me to react, to get mad, to shame me, and he had, but I refused to give him the response he sought. “You’re not the only guy on campus either. I’ll find someone else to fuck.”

“Ever,” he chided, a coldness entering his features.

I stepped back, furthering the space between us. “I hope you get herpes.”

His lips twitched, a tad of the hardness glimmering in his eyes winking out. Amusing him had not been the plan.

“Ever,” he called again more forcefully. But I’d already turned and begun walking away. I lifted my arms, giving him two middle fingers because he was twice the ass.

He didn’t follow, at least not that I noticed.

It took me a minute to locate Sam, and when she saw my face, she nodded. Her dance partner no longer mattered. She abandoned him without a second thought.

I waited for her to move through the crowd, weaving in and around flailing arms, bumping hips, and shifting feet. It wasn’t an easy task. She dodged multiple elbows nearly flying into her eye.

“What did he do now?” Sam asked when she reached me, her lips turned into a frown.

My foot tapped. Not in time with the music either. It was pure restlessness coursing through me. “Can we leave?”

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