Page 23 of Wreck Me

“Thanks.”

I take a sip, not enjoying the flavor as much as I enjoy Aspen Ridge’s.

“Ever thought about getting them to stock yours?”

“You mean my family’s whiskey?”

“Yeah, it’s better than this shit they’re pouring.”

He scoffs and brings his drink to his lips. I track the movement. Watching as the cold liquid pours into his mouth, the slight bob of his throat as he swallows it down. Everything about the movement is an aphrodisiac for me, and I want to grab his face and suck his tongue into my mouth to taste the whiskey off of it. I’m positive it would taste better if I drank it mixed with him.

“Surprised you don’t have some negative shit to say about it.”

“None. It’s my favorite.”

“Fuck off with that shit.”

“Believe what you want, but I’m serious.”

We sit in silence, finishing our drinks while the music floats around us, the smell of sex strong in the air.

“Why are you here, Finn?”

God, I love the sound of that. So much better.

“You want the truth or a lie?”

He turns to face me, his knee rubbing across my thigh with the shift.

“Truth.”

“I can’t stay away.” The silence stretches between us while his eyes bore into mine, reading my expression and looking for the lie he isn’t going to find. Whether he wants to believe me or not. “And you can’t either.”

He releases an exhale, as if he’s almost relieved. But maybe that’s just me projecting what I’m hoping he’s feeling.

“That so?” he questions just as we’re interrupted by a visitor.

A female appears between us, her hands moving to each of our shoulders, making her interest in both of us known. I don’t bother acknowledging her, my eyes focused only on Carter. The way his hair is styled out of his face, a piece falling forward into his eyes, my fingers itch to push it out of the way. His eyes are soaking up our suitor, and my heart squeezes painfully. He’s clearly interested in her. How could he not be? She’s gorgeous. Fuck. Even if Carter got on board with whatever is between us, would I be enough to sustain him? He’s only been with women until me, I don’t know if I have it in me to compete with that constantly. But, God, I want this man so much it hurts.

I remember what it was like to share him, but that was before I had him. I quickly weigh if I could do this, if I could really share him again. Part of me feels that if this is the only way I can have him, then I should take it, but when Carter turns around fully, his hand moving to her hip, bile rises up in my throat, and I know my answer.

There’s no way I can share him.

The pretty female steps into his space, Carter sliding his thigh between her legs and pulling her close. Her hand leaves my shoulder to wrap around his neck, and Carter responds naturally, pulling her closer to him, and my fists clench, nails digging into my skin. Fuck, she’s practically dry humping him. He keeps his eyes trained on me, like he’s daring me to intervene,to stop this before it gets too far. Is he fucking serious right now?

“You’re mine.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, my voice dark and menacing.

“The fuck I am.”

As if to prove a point, his hands slide up the back of her thighs, under the short, sequined dress, letting it lift as he grabs her ass in his palms. His eyes meet mine as he kisses her neck, hands kneading into her bare ass, pulling her closer to him. My heart rate picks up—painfully so—as if it’s being squeezed in a vise. I feel the moment my facial expression morphs from fury to unwarranted pain. I don’t have any claim over Carter, he’s not mine. We aren’t anything more than two lost people who have an intense chemistry between us.

But it feels like so much goddamn more, and I want to explore that. Even if I’m jeopardizing every good thing I have in my life to do so.

I’m two seconds away from leaving when Carter’s head cocks to the side, as if reading my discomfort, before pulling away from the woman. He gently pulls her dress back over her ass, giving it a little playful slap.

“You’re very tempting, beautiful, but not tonight. I’ve got some business to take care of. Rain check?” He says the last two words while looking at me to further make his point, and I release a deep exhale of relief. Point taken. He can be with whoever he wants to, on his terms. He’s in control. That’s fine. As long as I don’t have to watch him with anyone else. I’d leave before it got too far.

Fuck. Why do I feel so possessive over him? Doesn’t he feel this between us? It’s so strong for me. My pull to him is chemical, at a cellular level, deeper than anything I’ve ever felt before. I can’t stop.

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