Page 14 of Only Ever Yours

His eyes bounce from my heated stare to my parted lips. I stop when my chest is no more than an inch from his.

Heat crackles between us like a live wire.

I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows, trying to guess my next move. The feel of his warm breath hits me, and the minty freshness of his mouthwash drifts between us. My thighs clench, causing my skin to flush at his nearness.

He fucking feels it—the tension, the pull.

But I won't let him win.

“You don’t have to worry about keeping your hands off me. You won’t be lucky enough to get me into your bed again.” The words flow from my lips, taunting him.

“Hmm, we’ll have to see about that later… once you’ve had a few of those drinks in your hand…” his eyes glance down to the tumbler I’m holding. “… I can already smell your pussy dripping for me.”

I step back, narrowing my eyes at his cockiness. I need the distance. I don’t know if I want to smack him right now or let my defenses fall while he consumes my body all night long.

Thankfully, I don’t have long to think about it because I hear the side door open, and whatever I would have said died on my tongue right then and there. I quickly turn and walk towards Haleigh, but I can hear his smug laughter behind me. Asshole.

Chapter 5

Still six months earlier

Ellie

We just finished dinner and are now piled back in the limo headed to Club Seven, a popular spot not far from town. I managed to keep my cool during the limo ride earlier and throughout dinner, but now I’m getting a little fidgety. I need another drink to calm my nerves.

I’m sitting between Haleigh and Jaydon, with Ryan on the opposite side of Haleigh. Her fiancé was supposed to be here for her birthday celebration, but he came up with yet another bullshit lie as to why he couldn’t make it.

She has a suspicion that he’s been cheating on her, and I think she’s correct. It’s fine with me that he couldn’t make it. I know he doesn’t like me—and the feeling is mutual. He’s a worthless piece of shit; he doesn’t treat her right, and she deserves so much better.

I reach across from where I’m seated and grab my bag.

“Haleigh, I’m pouring us another drink…” I say, lifting the premixed concoction out of my bag with a grin, “… grab your cup so I can fill it up again.”

“Oh, shit… where did I put it?” She giggles, her buzz already in full effect.

Her laughter is contagious, and I find myself giggling right along with her.

She had a drink on the way to the restaurant and another when we got there. Her cheeks are already flushed. I’m only on my second drink and need to catch up.

Ryan reaches over to the table beside him and grabs her tumbler from the cup holder. “Hales, don’t you remember? You gave it to me earlier when we got to the restaurant.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right… Thanks, Ryan.” She bats her long lashes at him, her sweet voice dripping with playful affection.

I smirk. She’s so gone for him, and she doesn’t even know it yet.

“Here… hold it steady, and I will fill it up for you, girl.” I top off her tumbler, and she quickly turns to face Ryan. I can’t quite make out what he’s saying to her, but I know he’s flirting by the way she keeps giggling.

I had to pretend all dinner that I didn’t want to stab Jaydon’s eyes out.

Every time he glanced at me from across the table, I rolled my eyes and looked away. He wasfucking with me like normal, that smug-ass smirk never leaving his face. I tried keeping all my attention on Haleigh and talking to her, but she was so wrapped up in Ryan, giggling with him. She didn’t even notice her fucking brother harassing me with his stupid, sexy face.

Asshole.

I take a long sip of my drink, trying to drown out Jaydon’s presence, his gaze, and the heat from his leg—his leg that seems to be getting closer and closer to mine. He shifts, and his arm brushes against mine. I thought it was by accident, but as I glance over my shoulder, I see the devilish glint in his eyes.

I narrow mine in response. “What?” I snarl.

He leans closer to me, his voice a low, teasing rasp. “Why are you so uptight? Relax, Ellie.”

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