Page 64 of Inviting Trouble
Mad looked over at Park, the only man she’d ever loved, and lied through her teeth. “I don’t.” It hurt too much to wish for things that would never happen. All that hurt quickly turned to anger. She tried to push it down, tried to enjoy hanging with her friends, but every time she looked at Park yukking it up with Josh and Ethan, completely content to treat her like one of the guys,a pal, denying everything they’d shared that meant so much to her, she teetered closer to the edge of control.
By midnight, she was dancing on a table, her friends cheering her on, Josh yelling at her to get down, and Ethan smirking. She raised her arms over her head, which made her sweater lift, showing off her nice innie belly button, and added some hip action for a super-sexy dance. She flashed a grin when Park’s gaze finally connected with hers, which quickly died when he strode straight for her, his expression fierce and determined.
Next thing she knew Park was carrying her out the front door, her body flung over his shoulder. She would’ve cheered if she didn’t feel so dizzy.
Happy New Year to me.
Chapter Fifteen
Park put a steadying arm around Mad as he guided her upstairs to her room. She was drunk and went from quiet in the car to all soft and sweet the moment they entered the house. He wasn’t one of those guys who found drunkenness all that appealing. His home life pre-Campbell drove that home. And while he appreciated her sexy dance, he didn’t appreciate everyone else getting an eyeful of her.
“Happy New Year to me,” she sang.
“Happy New Year to you,” he replied, guiding her down the hallway.
“To us,” she said with a goofy smile.
He moved her along quickly, practically carrying her, and pushed her into bed. It was a queen-size bed, the bunk beds that used to be there long gone. She lay flat on her back, unmoving. He undid the ties on her boots, pulled them off, and set them on the floor.
He gazed at her for a moment, a small smile on her face, her entire body relaxed. “Sleep this off and I’ll see you next year.”
“Ha!” she said. “See you next year. Ah, bed.”
He pulled the covers over her and she pushed them off.
“My jeans are too tight,” she informed him. Before he could stop her, she was peeling them off. He quickly looked away and turned to go.
“Help!”
He stifled a groan, turned, and looked. She was kicking and struggling with the jeans caught around her ankles. She wore purple boy shorts panties. So perfectly Mad.
He grabbed the jeans, trying not to touch the bare skin of her legs, and quickly slid them off. She stretched out those toned sexy legs and wiggled her feet.
“You hate my panties, don’t you?” she asked. “But they’re so comfortable.”
“Night, little bit.”
“I’ll take them off.” She grabbed the sides of the panties and he put his hands over hers to stop her.
“They’re awesome. Keep ’em on.”
She placed his hands flat against her hips. “Feel how soft they are.”
He dutifully stroked the fabric over her hip, a safe zone of sorts. “Yup.”
She sighed and pulled the cover over herself, curled on her side, and slept.
He made a quick exit, turning off the light. He stood in the hallway for a moment and blew out a breath. He knew he’d dodged a bullet. She’d been all over him tonight, talking to him about all his favorite stuff in a way that few women could, her sexy little body leaning close, her fresh citrusy scent washing over him. He trudged across the hall to his room.
The next morning he woke to the unmistakable sound of retching. He went into the hallway to make sure she’d made it to the bathroom. She had. Maybe now she’d learn her lesson about drinking too much.
He went downstairs to start the coffee, made some toast, and waited. An hour passed and no sign of Mad. Finally she appeared, freshly showered. She drank some coffee, declined food, and returned to bed.
He kinda missed her company, but he figured she needed to sleep. The house was so quiet. Her dad wasn’t due home until tomorrow. He decided to visit Ty, who was leaving tomorrow. He returned that night with some take-out Chinese. “Mad, you here? I got your favorite, pork lo mein.”
No reply.
He went upstairs to hear her moaning in the bathroom. The door was closed. “Mad, you okay?”
