Page 1 of Bound By Them
1
Danica
Sometimes, a girl just wants to go out in her hottest dress and be surrounded by a group of adoring, attractive guys. This party, thrown by my brother Dmitri and my cousin Patrick, is the perfect opportunity. They just bought this building and it looks like they invited the entire neighborhood to celebrate. Most of the people here are complete strangers.
Perfect. If the guys are strangers, I haven’t manufactured reasons to hate them yet.
I toss back the last of my drink—a sugary concoction pulled from a tub of mystery liquid. It’s like we’re a bunch of college students or something. I graduated from SEU two years ago, thank you very much, and my days of jungle juice should be far behind me. But here we are. I’ll drink with everyone else—I don’t want Patrick to think I hate his party, and I’ll take whatever buzz I can get.
We’re in a converted pizzeria, with some of the old furniture left behind. Patrick and his buddies must have shoved the tables off to the side so there’s room for dancing and mingling. Red-hued lamps hang from the ceiling, sending out soft light. The music blares. Too loud, but once I’ve had a second drink, I won’t notice anymore.
The joyful mood is infectious. My shimmery white dress fits me beautifully. My heels are sexy. I feel hot and happy, like this night could go in any direction.
“Can I get you another drink?” a guy to my right asks. Or rather, he shouts. The music is too loud for subtlety.
“Sure, thanks…” I’ve already forgotten his name. I’ve forgotten most of their names.
Two more guys move into the spot he vacated. Light brown hair on the muscular but lean one, dark brown on the one who looks like he could be a bouncer or a football player.
“I’ve been watching you,” the guy with lighter brown hair says.
I give him a once-over. Charming smile, mischievous green eyes, light stubble. Expensive-as-fuck suit that fits him extremely well. Super hot. But I don’t need his kind of trouble in my life.
As if he catches onto my immediate dismissal, he holds out a hand. “Hey, let’s be friends. I’m Edmund.”
“Dani.” I have to suck in a breath at the feeling of his fingers surrounding mine. I might not need his kind of trouble, but the chemistry from that one touch says the trouble would be worthwhile.
“Short for Danielle?”
“Nope.” I don’t elaborate. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Troy.”
“Hey.” I shake Troy’s hand, too. More chemistry. Maybe I’m just horny.
Troy says hey in a voice that sounds deeper than the bass thudding through the floor. His dark brown eyes are fathomless.
The song switches to another loud beat. The guy who offered me a drink never returns, but I don’t care. Everyone shout-talks over each other, guys asking me questions about my job, my hobbies. Heated glances, accidental touches. Nothing inappropriate, just lots of admiration. It’s doing wonders for my self-esteem, not gonna lie.
Edmund leans in. “You like the attention, don’t you?”
“Yeah, actually.”
“You like people watching you. Maybe you’re an exhibitionist.”
I shoot him a hard glance. “Careful, Edmund. You’re getting too personal.”
“Am I?” His green eyes stare back, mesmerizing.
Shaking my head, I take a step away. What is he, some kind of fuckboy vampire hypnotist?
My best friend, Leah, shows up in a dress as stunning as mine—a deep copper that goes well with her hair and fits her perfectly. We talk as much as we can over the loud music. I introduce her to Edmund and his quiet friend, Troy, before Leah drags me off to dance.
We move our bodies to the music, energized and lost at the same time. Our arms and hips and legs flow with the beat that pumps in our blood. From time to time, I catch Edmund and Troy watching me from the side of the room. Edmund looks like he wants to charm his way into my pants. Troy looks like he’ll march over and claim what’s his.
Their gazes are hot, electric.
I could go to them, pick one, and have my way with him.
