Page 33 of All Your Firsts

I look around to see if anyone else is gazing at her as I have been since she’s entered the stuffy mansion. All I see is carbon copy after carbon copy of arrogant, rich frat boy jocks. These guys go for the easy target. They want the kind who falls into their lap with no work. No finesse or skill. They want instant gratification, or they move on to their next unfortunate target. One that will put out and be disheartened when the guy inevitably moves on, maybe even shedding a tear or two.

The difference between these college wastes and me is that I’m a man. One who grew up without the silver spoon shoved down his throat. One who practically died at the neglect of his parents, then went to prison and knows how the real world works and cansurvive it. Not someone who will join Daddy’s firm or corporation and run it when Daddy retires early to spend time with his sidepiece on a yacht. Then run it into the ground because they have no idea how it really works.

I kick off the wall when I see her friend pulling her toward another room. I stroll behind them with a warm beer in my hand that I don’t plan on drinking. A passerby in another poorly planned devil costume stops them, his eyes raking over Rosie and landing on her breasts for a moment longer than necessary. His arm shoots out in what she’s assuming is a friendly gesture of him squeezing her shoulder as his thumb runs across her exposed skin. The red cup snaps under my grip from the pressure of my fist. The warm amber liquid runs down my fingers as I watch the moment unfold.

What has me continuing to watch while staying rooted in place is how she shrugs his touch off. She shows her disinterest and effectively dismisses him before grabbing her friend’s hand and towing her away.

My lip curls into a grin as I watch the Lucifer wannabe sulk as he walks away. The fucker’s lucky I won’t be chopping off his hand for his idiocy of touching her.

I place the mangled cup on a marble table and follow them to a large sitting room. They pushed the furniture against the walls to make room for a makeshift dance floor. A DJ sits to the far right. The music blares in my ears.

When I got out a year ago, the world felt loud, a sensory overload.

I used to be drawn to and thrived in the chaos and commotion of loud and crazy gatherings. But now I find solace in the peace and stillness. However, I prioritize her needs over my own comfort.

She’s everything.

She begins to sway her hips to the beat. I was only planning to watch her tonight, as I’ve been doing routinely since getting out, but I can’t. I won’t. My feet take me over to where she is instantly.

Her eyes are closed as she dances, but she must sense me because her eyes open when I’m a few feet from her. She blinks and wets her lips before she tilts her head up to gaze at me. I’m far taller than most of the guys here.

She takes in my red and black devil mask that conceals my identity with curiosity.

Does she know it’s me?

She gives me a small nervous smile before continuing to dance. Her back turns, and I take that as my invitation. My front presses into her back. The mask obstructs my nostrils, but her scent still passes the barrier. A sweet and flowery scent envelops me, tempting me into devouring her right here, right now. But I don’t. I just keep her close.

No one will get near my sunshine now that I’m with her.

I groan at how her ass grinds against my cock. It gets even harder as I wrap my arm around her midsection, just under her breasts that sway as she dances. Their weight feels like heaven against my arm.

Her hand wraps around the back of my neck, and her nails stroke the skin there, making me close my eyes. A shock wave of goose bumps takes residence all over my skin. It’s driving me insane in the best way possible. I savor the moment of her against me.

This is the boldest and best move I’ve made yet, and I don’t regret one fucking moment.

We continue to dance as a slower song comes on. I’m enjoying the change of pace and how it feels like she’s practically giving me a lapdance while we’re both standing. My arm around her midsection drops lower as I pull her flush against me.

I don’t want this moment to end, but I have to tell her it’s me.

I can’t wait.

I bend my neck to her ear when someone pokes me in the back, ruining the moment. I turn around, ready to slit the intruder’s throat.

“She’s off-limits, bro. Get your fucking hands off her before I break them and you can’t ride again.”

My spine straightens at his choice of words.

Did he see me arrive, or does he know who I am?

I look over at a face I’ve looked at for years. But not the one I’m affiliated with. Not the one I trust with my life. No, her other brother, who’s clearly pissed at my hands wrapped around his little sister.

I should be going anyway before I do something more fucking idiotic than what I’m currently doing.

I gaze down at Rosie, who’s gone still in my arms as she looks at her brother with a mix of shock and embarrassment at her compromising position.

My hand that’s wrapped around her waist squeezes her to me one last time as I savor the feeling of her being so close. I slowly pull away and leave, knowing she’ll be safe with him. I might hate the guy, but at least I can count on that.

I can’t help but shake my head when I think about tonight. I’m a stupid motherfucker for coming out here and getting way too close. If Gage had found me with her, he would have killed me.

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