Page 382 of Rock Me All Night
Why isn't he touching me properly?
My body throbs with need. I stare into Tom's eyes. There's no clue in them. No explanation. He's been clear about us being friends. This isn't what friends do. Friends don't dance like this.
Don't lead each other on.
"Excuse me." I step back. "I'm going to sit the rest of these out."
The song shifts to something faster.
"Willow, don't. I'll stop." His fingers graze my wrist. "Don't brood with Pete. It's no fun."
I will myself to push Tom away, but his body feels too fucking good. Okay. I need to focus on something else. On whatever it is that's upsetting him. "Yeah. But you can't run away from your feelings. You have to let the pain sink in sometimes."
"Not interested in pain. I prefer pleasure."
I stare back at him. It's hard to tell if he's serious, especially with the limited lighting. "What does that mean?"
"I'm not trying to be oblique, kid. But I'm more than happy to explain in detail if that's what gets you off."
Okay. He is mocking me. That's enough. "Stop it."
"Stop what?"
"Teasing me. I get that you're a slut. I get that you can nail any woman you want. I get that you can tell I'm attracted to you, that it amuses you that someone like me would want someone like you. Stop rubbing it in my God damn face."
"Doesn't amuse me."
"Yes it does."
"It doesn't. I... Forget it."
"Just stop teasing me. I don't care how long it's been or how many days you have left until you can finally nail the first girl who meets your stringent criteria." I take a step backwards. "I haven't had sex in six years, and you don't see me torturing my friends to pass the time."
Tom's jaw drops.
I continue before he says something to make me even more angry. "I've got the message. You can do better. We're friends. Platonic. That was your edict, not mine."
"Six years?"
"Yes."
"That's not possible."
I ignore his commentary. I need to stay focused on making it out of this alive. "Stop flirting with me. Please."
"Stop looking at me like you're thinking about me naked."
"Fine."
"Great."
I spin and head for the couch.
Pete has that same calm expression on his face. He leans in close enough to whisper. "You can go. I'll keep an eye on Tom."
"No, I'm great. Having a lot of fun."
It takes Tom the briefest of moments to find a dance partner. He picks a blonde women with long hair and a short skirt. His hands go to her hips, inches from her ass. She whispers something in his ear and clings to his shoulders like he's a buoy and she's lost at sea.
