Page 33 of When Wrecked Meets Ruined
He puffed out his chest and ran his hand over his abs. God, Ridge loved himself. “My body is my temple. I’m clean as the virgin snow. Besides, I’m not offering sex.”
“Whatareyou offering?”
“Myself.” He held out his arms like he was offering himself up as a prize.
My gaze lowered to his crotch. I could see the imprint of his dick straining against his black boardshorts. Guess Ainsley hadn’t finished the job. “Nope. Still not interested.”
“There’s more to me than just my dick.”
“Just stay away from me.” I tried to push him away, but he had me caged in, his arms braced on either side of the counter.
“I’ve tried, but I can’t.”
What a crock of shit. Did girls fall for those stupid lines? Sadly, they did. “Why would you say something like that?”
He pushed off from the counter and ran his hand through his hair. “Because it’s true.”
“Bullshit.”
“You’re just about the only person I’ve ever been completely honest with.” He looked me right in the eye, and I saw that he was telling the truth.
“Your friendship.” He held out both hands in a gesture of peace. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
I didn’t believe him. Ridge was lying. It was just a clever ploy to get into my pants, and then he’d toss me aside when he was done with me.
But I tapped my index finger against my chin like I was considering his offer. “Okay, fine, we’ll be friends.” He smiled like he’d won the battle. Not so fast, Dally Boy. You can win the battle but lose the war. “Since we’re friends now, we confide in each other, right?”
His eyes narrowed in suspicion. That’s right,friendshiprequires trust, and we’re both too smart and too guarded to completely trust each other.
“Sure.”
I smiled. “Good. So… What were you and Ainsley talking about?”
He rubbed his hand over his jaw, contemplating how much he was willing to tell me. I got the distinct feeling they’d been arguing about me. I could only imagine what lies she’d fed him. Ainsley was such a snake. She’d never had the guts to say anything to my face. Instead, she slut-shamed me and spread rumors behind my back.
I scanned the party in search of the backstabbing blonde. “Where’s Malibu Barbie?” I asked, my eyes coming to rest on his face.
He snorted at the nickname and switched out his frozen cocktail for a beer. Flipping the cap, he took a long pull before responding. “She’s gone.”
“Something you said?” I joked.
“Dance with me, and I’ll answer your question.”
Just then, Quinn came into the kitchen looking slightly dazed and flustered. I left Ridge and moved to her side. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head and bit her bottom lip. “Jesse was just here.”
Why would a twenty-seven-year-old guy turn up at a high school party? Oh right. To mess with my best friend’s head, of course.
“I hope you kicked him to the curb.”
She smiled a little. “I did. But I—”
“Hey, Quinn. Are you okay?” Walker asked from behind me.
“Yeah. Hey, sorry about that.”
I left her with Walker and chased after Jesse, intent on giving him a piece of my mind. I was fed up with entitled assholes. Guys who thought they could get anything they wanted with a wink and a smile.
