Page 37 of Beyond Me

“You won the bet fair and square.God knows she’s a cold fish, so you must’ve warmed her up a bit to hit her next conquest.No worries, James.We got your back.You don’t want to get attached to a girl like that.”

Ice crystallized my voice.“I’m done with all of you and your sick games.Fuck you.”

“Why are you being such a pussy?You nailed her, you won the bet fair and square, and I’m gonna pay up.”

“Give me the goddamn panties now,” I commanded.

“Now that you satisfied your curiosity, can we move on?We can hold another party Saturday night.It’s not too late,” Adam called out.

“So it was a bet?”

The room tilted.The rush of noise grew still.

I slowly turned around.

Her husky voice stroked me, like her warm hand sliding over my dick and making me come.Those gorgeous brown eyes flashed with raw pain, but turned cold and hard so fast I thought I had imagined the switch.

I knew I had fucked up.

“Quinn, this isn’t what you think.”

And as the words spilled from my lips, I knew it was too late.

ILEFTthe guys glaring at my back and wondered how much longer we’d have to stay.I couldn’t understand how such assholes were James’ close friends.He was so much better than that.My thighs brushed against each other and the decadence of not having panties shimmered through me.Who would’ve thought such things as removing underwear would be so frickin’ erotic?I loved how James didn’t allow my shyness to hold me back.With him, I became the woman I’d always wanted to be: confident, sexy, smart.Not the practical, nice workaholic who put everybody else first.

I squeezed in by the bar and tapped Cassie’s shoulder.She turned and gave me a hug and kiss.“I haven’t seen you since Tuesday.You good?”

“Very good.Just wanted to let you know I’m hanging over there with James and his crew.”

She narrowed her gaze.“The Ivy Leaguers, huh?They like their beer and tequila.”

I laughed.“Yep.Have you seen Mac?”

“Nope, but her hottie is working at the bar.”

I looked over and caught tat guy—Austin—slinging drinks and chatting with the customers.“I’m gonna check with him, maybe he knows where she’s been.She’s not answering her texts.”

Cassie frowned.“You think she’s in trouble?”

“Nah, she would’ve called.I think she’s up to something and got distracted.Maybe she’s writing a song or something.She always loses track of time when she’s writing.”

“Good thinking.You like him?”Cassie jerked her head toward James.

I smiled.“Yeah.A lot.Tell you later.”

“Deal.Just be careful, okay?Remember, no drinks from someone you don’t know.”

I rolled my eyes.“Cass, I was the one who warned you when we first came on the trip, remember?Besides, we pinky promised.You’ve been fine, right?”

She hesitated just a moment, her gray eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn’t name.“Never better.Go talk to hot guy and get back to yours.”

“Thanks.”I shifted down to the middle of the bar where I saw an inch of a gap to make my move.Using my elbows, I got close and held up my hand.

Damn.Mac’s man was quite good looking, especially with the ink.The fact he could sing was also perfect.I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but he must have recognized me.His eyes lit up and leaned over the bar, ignoring the other patrons.“Quinn, right?Mac’s friend?”

“Yes!Austin, right?”

“You got it.”

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