Page 48 of Wreck Me

‘By all accounts, he’s too busy with his new woman.’ Zara waggles her eyebrows at the other woman. My lips stretch even further. ‘Mother said he was grinning when he was texting her earlier. Grinning. I mean, when have you ever seen James grin?’

The two women proffer a smile as they fall into the same toilet cubicle, the way women do.

It’s a battle not to follow them in and beg for more details.

It’s not real, Scarlett.

Of course, he’s going to put on a good show for his mother. It’s all part of the act.

And James Beckett is a very convincing actor. Case in point, the filth that fell from his tongue minutes earlier was exceptionally convincing. I don’t doubt he wants to have sex with me, but lines like ‘I could spend every minute from now until graduation with my head, hands, and cock between your legs and it still wouldn't be anywhere near long enough,’ has to be a lie.

The giggling continues from inside the cubicle as I reapply my crimson lipstick. With a final glance at myself in the mirror, I stride back out into the bar area to wait for James. The song booming over the speakers is one of my absolute favourites.

My hips instinctively sway to the beat.

Dancing has always been my outlet, my way of releasing the pent-up energy buzzing through my veins. And thanks to James, his filthy mouth and fuck-me-sideways stares, I have copious amounts of pent-up energy.

How am I going to survive months of this?

I’ll be tripping around like a pheasant in mating season, dizzy with desire.

With the bass thrumming through my blood, I gravitate to the middle of the dance floor instead of the VIP area.

My limbs sway as I shake and shimmy in time to the beat. Smiling strangers surround me. My shoulders slacken as my eyes close. Every single cell in my body surrenders to the beat.

‘Scarlett,’ a familiar voice yells, but it’s not the voice I was expecting.

My eyes snap open. Shane Stenson, my study buddy and previous kiss, is beaming at me like he hasn’t seen me in years instead of hours. ‘I had no idea you’d be here.’ His words are slightly slurred, but his eyes are sharp and keen as they rake over my dress.

The man is the human version of a golden retriever. Sunshine in a shirt and suit pants. He’s the polar opposite of James.

‘Come on, let me buy you a drink.’ He takes my wrist and tugs me towards the bar, wiggling through the crowd until he reaches a free space on the marble counter.

‘I shouldn't.’ I scan the room looking for James. I barely know him, but I do know he won’t like this. In fact, not being seen with another man was one of his conditions.

But Shane is my friend. It’s different.

‘One drink. Please, indulge me. It’s been ages since I saw you out of class.’ His big blue eyes widen like a goddamn puppy’s.

‘I’m here with–’

Before I can finish, Shane pulls me to his chest. ‘Scarlett.’ His gaze falls to my lips. ‘I’m crazy about you. Every time I see you swinging around that pole in the college gym it does things to me.’

A hot hard expanse of muscle slams against my back and the scent of citrus and pure masculinity steals my senses. ‘Remove your hands from my girlfriend or you will losethem.’ James’s cold, calm voice cuts deep, even over the music.

Strong arms wrap around my torso, wrenching me from Shane’s grip. James’s hands roam languidly over my body like he’s marking every inch of skin as his. Shane’s eyes follow the movement and his mouth drops open as James’s palms pause just below my breasts.

‘I…’ His huge blue eyes dart between James’s hands and my face. ‘I didn't realise,’ Shane stutters.

‘Well, now you do.’ James’s voice is as hard as steel as his smooth hands slide up a few inches, grazing over my breasts in a possessive claim.

Shane raises his hands and backs away.

James spins me around. ‘What the fuck was that, Scarlett? Do you know how many eyes are on us tonight? How many people are whispering about us, wondering who you are, what you are to me? It’s not every day I introduce my family to my girlfriend.’ He hisses out a breath, sliding his hands lower until they settle on my hips. ‘I leave you alone for two fucking minutes and you let some guy put his hands on you.’ His pupils flash with anger.

‘I’m sorry. It’s only Shane. He’s in my class. We study together sometimes. We’re friends. Sort of.’ The sentences stream out like one.

James’s expression darkens. ‘Friends?’ His hands reach around to grip my ass, yanking my pelvis against him hard. The sensation is a delicious slap to the sensitive spot between my legs. ‘Friends don’t tell friends they’re crazy about them, Scarlett.’ His voice is dangerously low as he leans into my ear to be heard over the music. ‘And what did he mean about the college gym?’ His eyes are so dark they’re almost black as they burn through me.

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