Page 53 of Never Date A Player
His gaze is wary. “We should stop. We’re on the beach. There are people out.”
Just a dang minute, I’m the uptight prude. This sudden role reversal crap sucks. “Are you being modest?”
His gaze turns heated. “With my body? No. With yours? I don’t want any guy seeing it, or having thoughts about it, or watching what we do together. I want that to be private and between the two of us. And I want to do it all, just so you know. So when you’re ready—really ready—tell me.”
I’m too stunned to respond.
Lewis pulls me up, dusts off his coat, and slips it over my shoulders. We return to the party, stopping partway there so I can put on my shoes. I’m so deep in thought trying to figure out what just happened, I don’t immediately notice the eyes on us as we enter.
Tyler’s face is a shade darker than normal, his gaze narrowed as if he’s angry. “Where the hell did you go? You can’t just leave the party without telling me, Gen. I thought some dickhead”—he glares at Lewis, who rests his arm over my shoulders—“snuck off with you.”
Technically, a guy did sneak off with me, but I think Tyler meant without my permission. And yes, that’s a frightening thought, given my close encounters with dickheads of late.
“I’m sorry, Tyler. I should have told you.”
He huffs out a sigh through his nose and runs a hand through his hair, ruffling the mass of dark reddish-brown waves in all directions. He stalks to the drink station.
I’m an asshole. I knew Tyler was looking out for me at the party and I took off without saying anything. Where was my head?
Nessa walks up. “It’s not your fault. He was angry before you returned.”
I glance at Tyler warily. He’s taking a shot of something that looks like it’s gonna hurt tomorrow. “Why?”
Nessa’s gaze sways toward Mira without actually landing on her.
This is the first I’ve seen of Mira all night. I didn’t even know she was here. She’s chatting with a girl I’ve never met and stealing glances at Lewis, who’s watching the dance floor, pretending not to notice. “Mira? What does Mira have to do with Tyler being mad?”
Nessa wobbles a little as she pulls me to the side, the light scent of floral perfume and champagne wafting off her. “He was worried when he couldn’t find you, but he only just realized you were missing. Before that”—I lean in—“Mira arrived.” She cringes. “You know how they say instant attraction? Well, this was like hate at first sight. Tyler’s gaze narrowed on Mira. In response, she gave him one of the nastiest looks I’ve ever seen, and this is Mira. She invented deadly glares.” Nessa shakes her head. “How can two beautiful people hate each other so quickly? Have they met before?”
Have they? Tyler grew up in Lake Tahoe with Cali, and he’s only a couple of years older. “I don’t know.”
Tyler white-knuckles the bar, then spins around, weaving slightly. His face is still flushed. He completely ignores Mira as he walks past her to me. “Let’s go.”
“Okay…” I glance at Lewis.
“You need a ride?” Lewis offers, reading my thoughts.
“Ye—”
“No,” Tyler says.
I lean in and lower my voice. “You can’t drive. You’ve had too much to drink.”
“You haven’t.”
True. I’m searching for some reason to remain with Lewis, but that’s not practical with Tyler’s car here—or an angry Mira nearby.
“I’ll drive us home,” I tell Lewis.
He levels an annoyed look at Tyler and pulls me close. “He shouldn’t drink when he’s supposed to be driving you home. Are you sure you’ll be safe with him? You’re comfortable with his car?”
“I’m completely safe, and I borrowed his car when mine died.”
Mira sidles up to Lewis and throws her hair over her shoulder in Tyler’s direction like a bullfighter with a cape.
Tyler takes a tight breath and grabs my hand, jerking us toward the exit.
Lewis frowns.
