Page 30 of Fractured

“Huh?”

“I honestly think this is for you.”

“What’re you talking about?” I turn to look at him, lost by this conversation.

“I’ve known Kat for years. This is the first time she’s ever asked Mel to do her hair and leave it down. It’s a big thing for her. Hell, it was a big thing for Mel. I’ve never seen anyone so excited to do someone’s damn hair.”

Still lost, I continue to look at Jake with a blank expression, needing a lot more clarification.

“She gets a lot of unwanted attention when it’s down. But she did it anyway, knowing you were going to be here.”

Turning back to the striking vixen on the dance floor, I contemplate whether there’s the slightest possibility this is true or if he’s just fucking with me. As if she can read my thoughts, I take her in as she transitions to a slower song and turns her body toward me, looking straight through to my soul. Her face is pale against the dim lighting of the tent. She’s not overly made up. Her face is mostly neutral except for dark lashes and lightly stained cheeks. But those lips. Her lush, pouty red lips steal my attention whenever I look at her stunning face. She locks eyes with me as if reminding me I have a promise to fulfill.

“What are you waiting for?” I feel a shove from behind me.Shit, I’ve turned back into that awkward teenage boy. I hand off my scotch and slowly walk in her direction as Nick Jonas starts to croon the song “Close.” I’m almost too nervous to speak as I get… well, close.

Standing in front of her now, I look down into her big brown eyes, and it’s official. I’m speechless.

“Hi,” she whispers up at me.

Fuck. Words. I need some fucking words. “Hi,” I manage to reply.

Giggling, she slides her sweet arms around my waist, and I have to check to make sure I’m still breathing. Unable to stop myself, I drop my head into her hair and take a deep inhalation of that delicious Coconut scent I’ve come to dream about. I try to slowly move back and forth with her but keep my pelvis from coming into contact with her so she doesn’t become horrified by the fact something else also wants to dance with her. She probably wouldn’t believe me, but this is more than sexual. I’m completely entranced by her. Any attraction I may have had in the past pales in comparison to this moment.

Abruptly, something hits my leg, and Kat starts to fall to the ground. As I attempt to grab her, I hear Melanie screaming behind me. Shock disrupts my euphoric haze, and I look down to see Kat is grabbing at her ankle.

“Murphy!” I hear Mel shout again. “Kat, I’m so sorry, honey. I don’t know how he got out. Big oaf. Are you okay?”

She’s laughing, but I notice the slight wince on her face as she tries to comfort Melanie. “I’m fine, Mel. The big guy just wanted to join the party.”

Bending down, I scoop her up into my arms, ignoring her protests that she’s fine. Hell with being gallant, I just need to hold her.

“Nick, I’m fine. Really.”

“We’ll see about that. Those shoes and that fall aren’t a good combination.” I would, however, like to save those shoes for later.I’d give my Audi for a chance to fuck her with those sexy little numbers on.

Carrying her out of the tent, I recall seeing a bench off to the rear of the firepit. I reassure her I want to check out her ankle and make sure she’s okay as the ground is very uneven. I’m trying to be a gentleman, but quite honestly, the thought of putting her down could make this grown man cry.

As I approach the wooden bench, I realize there’s a chill in the air. Of course, neither of us has been wearing much at this party. I’m still warm from the effect she’s having on me, but I don’t want her to be uncomfortable. Shifting gears, I turn slightly, so I sit down, keeping her cradled in my lap. Fuck it if she feels how hard I am, I don’t want her to be cold. I push her intoxicating hair behind one ear as I whisper into it, “You okay?”

“Yes. It’s probably nothing,” she responds, but I can feel her shaking against me.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have a jacket to give you. Come here,” I instruct as I attempt to tuck her into my side as I begin to undo those sexy laces on her stilettos. “I need to take this off and check out your ankle, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers back. I can feel the warmth of her breath against my neck, and it’s making my already hard as fuck dick now harder than fuck. I try to keep my mind on my task and not my growing erection.

“Does anything else hurt?”

She doesn’t answer, and I suddenly become alarmed. I look down and wonder what has her so quiet. As I place my thumb under her chin and raise her beautiful face to meet mine, she whispers, “I think I might’ve hit my jaw on your arm on the way down.”

Damn. How’d one dance turn out to be such a mess? Stroking her jaw with my thumb, I look for bruising. “Does it hurt here?”

“Just a little,” I can barely hear her response.

Unable to stop myself, I lean down and lay gentle kisses on her jaw. I hear an audible intake of air as my mouth touches her cool skin. Again, my dick thinks this is a signal to sit up and say hello. I refocus on her ankle, which appears to be the safer option at the moment.

As I wrap my large hand around her delicate foot and ankle, I forget why I’m touching her. I’m not normally into feet, but her dainty limbs have almost hypnotized me. I continue to rub and stroke her skin, looking for signs of severe injury. Pretending to check a pulse, it’s a ploy to keep touching her.

Turning to reassure her this is probably just a sprain, I’m interrupted as she slams her mouth onto mine. Any restraint I’ve had has snapped. I dig my hands into her silky hair and caress it as I nip and bite at her lower lip and tease her lips with my tongue, begging for entrance. She opens her mouth for me, and our tongues complete the dance our bodies started before her fall. Thank god it’s dark out because there’ll be no hiding the sight of my engorged cock now. Never in my life have I been this turned on.

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