Page 28 of Craving the Player

Chapter Thirteen

Sierra

Fuck Braden and his ability to yank me around by aset of puppet strings.

Every single ounce of my self-control is yanked from my grasp the minute he opens his mouth, leaving me with nothing more than crushed dignity and wet panties. It’sembarrassing—down right scarring for my self esteem.

He’sdangerous. An all too tempting distraction that Ican’tafford right now. Or ever. The air between us becomes so charged with sexual want and attraction that Ican’tmanage to keep any sort of boundary up. When Itry he just kicks it over, smiling that arrogant grin the entire time.

When Iwas with Logan, there was always an attraction there. But it never sizzled in the air, danced on my skin, or expanded in my chest until Icouldn’tdamn well breathe. We were together for what feels like forever, having met when Iwas only eighteen and he was twenty-one. It was afew years before we moved from friends to being in aromantic relationship, but it was asudden change. Ialways assumed that we had astrong sexual connection, ashared lust for one another, but now, I’mpositive that we never did. What we had was comfort and trust—ashared responsibility to take care of each other’ssexual needs and wants. How utterly disappointing.

Ican feel Braden’sheated gaze on my back as Iwalk back to my table. My bottom lip slips between my teeth as Isway my hips more dramatically, knowing full well that he was already rock hard when Ileft him standing there. He deserves to be teased. After all, he did accuse me of being aprostitute.

Lauren is the first one to notice me when Ireach the table.

“Oh, Cole. Sienna came back,” she cheers sarcastically, toying with the lipstick coated straw between her long fingernails.

Cole’seyes meet mine when he spins around. “We were just about to send asearch party after you.” He laughs. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just along line.” Avery, very long one.

Icock abrow at the two girls when they don’tmove to make room for me and mumble under their breath instead. The snickers they both make in response to my growing anger only results in the snapping of my last strand of patience as Ishake my head.

“Okay. What the hell is you—”

“Baby? What are you doing here?”

Ibite my tongue and whip around to stare at Braden as he walks up beside me and confidently slides his hand around my waist, pulling me flush up against his side. He’sso tall that Ihave to tilt my head to meet his stare as he settles beside me, palming my hip with splayed fingers. There’samusement in his eyes, like this is all pure comedy to him, and it has my shoulders relaxing. His lips stretch in aboyish grin that makes my body move closer to his and my arm hook around his torso, squeezing him once in an effort to say thank you.

When someone clears their throat, Iblink twice before following the noise. Cole doesn’tlook away from the large hand splayed across my hip, but doesn’tseem to buy into the touch either. Ifind myself leaning slightly into Braden—beginning to feel uncomfortable under Cole’sintense, almost scrutinizing gaze.

“Is this the boss that you were telling me about? It’sso great to meet you, Colt,” Braden speaks up again, covering for my mute ass. He must have heard Lauren use Cole’sname earlier.

“It’sCole,” Cole corrects him when he finally tears his eyes from my body and dares to take his chances eyeing up Braden. “And who are you? Idon’tthink Sierra has ever mentioned you.”

The arrogance in his tone rubs my skin like afresh sheet of sandpaper.

“I’mthe boyfriend.” The words are spoken with enough confidence to make afierce wave of unrelenting butterflies bounce around my stomach. Imelt into his side and drop my eyes to the floor.

“You’re her boyfriend? For real?” Ihear Tiffany mock, the humour in her tone punching at my bruised ego, leaving behind adull ache.

“Yeah? What about it?” Braden asks in alow, threatening voice, not missing the obvious insult. Iwant nothing more than to jump over the restricting mental ropes holding me back from tearing this bitch anew asshole. But these are my coworkers. Ican’tdo anything that could ultimately hurt my career. I’ve worked too hard to throw it all away over afew rude comments.

The taste of blood rings in my mouth before Inotice that I’ve been biting down on my tongue. Ineed to get out of here. With ashaking hand, Itug on Braden’sbelt loop. His breath fans across the top of my head as Ipeek up at him and meet his concerned stare with apleading one. Please take the hint.

The top of my head is cold again as Braden looks away, clearing his throat. “You guys wouldn’tmind if Itook Sierra home, would you? My mom’sactually expecting us for dinner.”

Isend aforced, yet gentle smile to the group and fiddle with the strap of my purse. Catching the glare Tiffany’sshooting at me from across the table, Ilet my teeth latch back onto my tongue.

“Yeah, no problem,” Cole clears his throat. “See you tomorrow.” The last words are spit through aclenched jaw as he watches Braden plant akiss on my head.

“Yeah. See you all tomorrow.” Ilift my lips higher, raising my hand in asubtle wave.

Ifeel Braden’shand slide into mine, our fingers interlocking as he looks down at me curiously, asoftness in his eyes that Ihaven’tseen before. It looks alot like pity, but it feels the opposite. “So nice to meet you, Colt. Have agood one.”

Pushing out abreath, Itug on Braden’sarm and start leading us through the restaurant, focused on the exit. Neither of us speak aword until we get outside, and now that the sun peeks through the clouds, shining in my eyes and fresh air fills my lungs, Ihave no idea what to say. Imust look like such achild, not being able to stand up for myself. Ihad to let Braden of all people come save my ass. Fuck.

The wind blows harshly against my skin, acting as areminder of just how sweaty Imust be. Nerves make me sweat like I’ve spent hours in asauna. My cheeks are on fire, either from the utter embarrassment that Ifeel right now or if I’mstill mad—Ican’ttell which. Not right now.

---