Page 25 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

“This is the ladies’ room, asshole.”

His mouth quirks, but he doesn’t speak, just continues his trek toward me. My ass bumps the sink. He steps into me, his chest rubbing against my braless nipples through the thin material of my dress. Thick arms encase me, those big hands grabbing on to the edge of the counter. Leaning in, his nose trails down the length of my neck, and I swear he’s inhaling my scent. My entire body clenches, and a knot forms in my stomach.

“What–what are you doin’?”

“Do you enjoy torturing me, Rebecca?” His voice is low. It rumbles against my skin and sends goose bumps blazing down my body.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think you do.”

Each breath is a tease, his lips skimming my skin on every exhale. A moan slips out, unbidden.

His arms flex. “Does it feel this way with him?”

“What way?” My stomach rises and drops so fast it makes me lose my breath.

“Like I’ll die if I can’t touch you.”

My heart quickens, blood singing through my veins, begging me to just give in.

I push into his body, surrendering to the feeling. “So touch me.”

His head shakes against me, his jaw tense. “You aren’t mine to touch.”

“I’m not Jeremy’s either.”

His head snaps back.

“What about that girl you’re with?” I ask.

“Just a friend.”

My fingers trace the veins in his forearms as I slide my hands up, reaching to cup his face in my palms. “Eli. Touch me.”

His nostrils flare, his body rigid against mine. I wait but he doesn’t make a move.

My stomach sinks at the rejection and I take a step away, but I don’t get far. His arms leap from the sink, wrapping around my waist and jerking me against him.

My breath whooshes out of me, every nerve ending lit up from his touch. My hands go back to palming his jaw. His arms tense around me while he lifts me off the ground, bringing my face to his.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” he growls as our lips meet.

r /> I should care that this is happening. I should stop it. But I don’t. The memory of his taste has been all I’ve thought of since the moment it hit my tongue.

I’ll be damned if I give it up again.

14

Eli

I see Becca and my mind is lost. Like usual, everything fades away but her until I can’t think straight. She’s been dancing on that kid Jeremy when she should be dancing on me.

I tried to ignore her and put my focus on the girl who’s within my reach. But looking at Sarah after soaking in Becca is like trying to see after staring into the sun.

When I see her storm off from the bar, I follow her down the hallway. I know it’s wrong. I know what will happen the second I get her alone, but I’m so far past the point of caring. My need for her is absolute. Screw the consequences.

It doesn’t matter that we’re in a dirty restroom in the back of a club. I couldn’t care less about the people we both have waiting for us.

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