Page 10 of Hard To Love

Chapter Three

When I reached our table, Cassie was sitting on Liam’s lap, looking extremely cozy and more than a little tipsy. My body slouched into my seat, already regretting my decision to walk away from Chase. I couldn’t believe I had been so stupid not giving him a chance, especially considering the irrational jealousy I was feeling at the thought of him pursuing another woman here at the club. Looking around, I didn’t see him. Whoever the next lucky lady was would probably appreciate what was being offered to her. Unlike me! I could hear my subconscious screaming, ‘Way to go’. I was so stupid. I swear, I could screw up a one-car funeral.

I picked up the freshly poured drink in front of me and I threw it back in one gulp. The server must have been watching our table, because as soon as I finished, she walked over, handing me another one.

After I downed my fourth Cosmo, Cassie pulled away from Liam and reached for my hand, practically pulling me out on the dance floor. “Let’s go shake our booties,” she screamed, as we nudged a few people to clear a spot on the dance floor. The effects of the alcohol slowly kicked in causing my sour mood to slip away. The smell of strong perfumes combined with musky colognes floated in the air around us. We had just started to get into the groove, when the guy dancing next to me bumped into my arm, spilling my drink on my shoe. I chugged what was left then placed the empty drink on the waitress’s tray as she went by. Unfazed by the interruption, I allowed myself to get lost in the music.

It had been a while since I’d been out dancing, and it felt good to let loose. My attention was taken when Liam came up behind Cassie and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her into him. When my eyes searched out our table, they landed on Jack who was making out with the beautiful girl he had been hitting on earlier.

Before I had a chance to let the disappointment settle that I was all alone on the dance floor, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention. I knew it was him even before he placed his mouth over my ear. “I’m guessing he’s not your boyfriend, is he?”

I looked over to Jack now completely lip-locked with the girl from earlier. The second Chase placed a possessive hand on my hips and started to move his body against mine, I knew I was done for.

The fight left my body the second his breath brushed my bare shoulder. His strongly skilled hands continued to glide along my hips keeping a firm grip so he could keep me close. If this man could fuck like he danced, I was in serious trouble.

As the song ended, I turned to walk off the dance floor when he grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. He left me with no choice but to follow his lead as he took me upstairs to a private office. Once he confirmed that we were the only ones in the room, he slammed the door shut with his foot.

The atmosphere in the room shifted as he advanced towards me.

Pathetically, I started to back away only to end up hitting the wall. My heart was racing when he placed his hands on either side of my head, caging me in with his body.

He softly guided his lips to mine. ”Why do you keep running from me?”

His touch was overwhelming and had my brain searching for an answer, but no words came out of my mouth. He could tell I was losing control and he was enjoying it, just a little too much. I forced a thick swallow when I felt his hand trail suggestively down my arm.

“You seem like the type of man my mother warned me about.”

He lifted his head and locked his eyes on mine, the intensity in his gaze seared right through me. It was so deep it felt like he had reached inside of me and was searching for something.

“And what kind of man would that be?” he asked, and then slowly ran his nose along the line of my jaw.

I closed my eyes and held my legs together, hoping it would make the ache between them subside. My nerves were crackling with electricity as I willed my heartbeat to slow down.

Forcing the oxygen into my lungs, I responded, “The kind of man who is confident, because he knows how good looking he is.” He pulled back to look at me so I continued. “You seem like the kind of man who lives by his own rules, and…” I paused to form the right words. “The type who is dangerous, because he’s reckless, but still in complete control.”

He quirked an eyebrow, clearly amused. “And that’s a bad thing? Why?”

“Because, when men like you are finished, you tend to leave a trail of broken hearts in your wake.”

He inhaled deeply, then leveled his gaze back on mine. “Did your mother also teach you not to judge a book by its cover?”

His tone had a slight edge to it as if I had insulted him somehow. I couldn’t tell if he was really offended or just playing a game with me. He leaned in with his breath lingering against my lips. “You should never form an opinion on someone based purely on what is seen on the surface. After taking a deeper look, you may realize the person may be very different than what you expected.”

Just as I was about to open my mouth to speak, he crushedhis lips against mine. Our tongues tangled together, hard at work. He tasted incredible and kissed just like I imagined he would. He was commanding, skilled, and relentless. He aggressively stole every moan and every whimper that tried to leave my mouth. This was the type of kiss that you compared all others to. I was screwed.

He wrapped one hand tightly around the back of my neck, while his other possessively dug into my side. I was positive that I would have a mark there the next day, and that was okay with me. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind taking a picture of it and keeping it in my bedside table, to ensure that I never forgot that moment.

His mouth slowly worked its way down my neck, taking in every inch of skin he could get his lips on. My arms wrapped around his strong sculpted shoulders trying to pull him tighter against me. I was normally not that type of girl, but hell if he didn’t unleash something inside of me. Everything around me was in a haze, to the point where I probably couldn’t even tell you my own name if you’d asked me. All I knew was that I wanted more.

My fingers tangled in his hair as I felt his hand move up along my ribs and rest right below my swollen breasts. God, I wanted his mouth there. I was certain he would know how to use it. Not just there but everywhere. Goose bumps broke out against my skin as I felt his erection jut against me. In an instant, something snapped as the fog started to lift from my lust infused brain.

What the hell was I doing?

I pulled away, trying to catch my breath and steady my legs beneath me. The look of disappointment on his face matched mine as I moved to the door. As much as my body craved his heat, my head knew I needed to cool down.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I need to go.” I tried my best to control my emotions because I found myself feeling things that I’d never felt before. I had been with Brad for two and half years, and I couldn’t remember a single touch, look, or a kiss impacting me like this. I knew how much I wanted him, but I didn’t want to. I started to walk away and did my best to pull myself together.

He backed up a bit and ran his hands through his already messed up hair. “I want your number, so I can see you again.”

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