Page 32 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One
“I swear, it’s the one day couples actually treat each other like they’re in love, just to go back to being shitty to each other the next day.”
My words bring my mind back to Adam. To be honest, he couldn’t even fake being a good boyfriend for a day. It was always, “Why do I have to get you flowers?” or, “It’s a stupid holiday, it’s not worth doing anything special for.”
And it just made me feel likeIdidn’t matter to him.
God. I have no idea why I stayed with him for so long.
Elliot raises his eyebrows, tilting his head and watching me closely.
“Oh my god,” I murmur. My whole body feels like it’s on fire. “I didn’t mean to say any of that out loud. Oh, fuck.”
Turning away, I cover my face with my hand. Now I look like a girl who’s baiting him for sympathy and attention.Dammit.
“Hey.” His voice is gentle as he takes my wrist in his hand, spinning me to face him. “Don’t worry about it. He’s obviously been on your mind.”
“I wish he wasn’t.” I shake my head, sighing. “I’m so sorry, Elliot. I didn’t want to dump any of that on you.”
His arm slips around me, and I can’t help but relax into him. He smells sogood.“Let’s get you a distraction, then. Me and the guys can keep your mind occupied.”
I practically melt at the grin he gives me. And as he pulls me across the ballroom, I notice the undeniable heat building in my lower stomach. I know he probably didn’t mean he and his friends would keep me occupiedthatway, but I can’t stop my brain from going where it wants to go.
When we join the two men leaning against the wall, Oliver’s face lights up. Rhett gives me a small nod, his eyes traveling over my body and making me squirm.
“You look like a princess,” Oliver says, leaning in and kissing me on the cheek. He smells of vanilla and a woodsy musk scent that has my head spinning.
When his lips brush against my cheek, I lose all words. These three men have completely invaded my senses, and my body is drawn to them in a way my mind can’t quite comprehend.
I’m sure it’ll catch up eventually.
“Finish your punch, Wren,” Oliver says, looking at me like I’m a toddler who just did something cute.
For some reason, I find myself doing exactly what Oliver told me to. When my cup is empty, Elliot takes it from my hand.
With a gentle push in Oliver’s direction, he says, “Have fun.”
Then I’m in Oliver’s arms as he whisks me to the dance floor. I let out a giggle. Both his arms wrap around my waist, pressing me into his hard chest.
Finally, I remember how to speak. “You look nice, too.”
“You’re adorable,” he murmurs, and I feel my world spin as he dips me backward. I grab onto his shoulders before realizing I don’t really need to. This man isstrong.
When he pulls me back up, I gasp in a breath. His eyes crinkle as he smiles. And right now, with the music filling my ears and his very presence dizzying my senses, I’m pretty sure there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep that grin on his face.
“So—uh, how do you know Elliot and Rhett? Are you friends? Business partners?”
“We met in high school, and we’ve stuck together ever since.” One of his hands leaves my back, coming up to brush my hair out of my face.
“That’s nice,” is all I can manage.
His fingertips linger on my skin, skirting across my jawbone. When they fall to the sleeve on my arm, I let out a breath. No man’s touch has ever affected me this way.
Geez. Whatisit about these guys?
Thankfully, I’m able to pull myself together more quickly this time. I smile up at him, and he returns it with an easy grin.
“Tell me, princess, what do you like to do other than read?”
“Hmm.” I tilt my head toward the ceiling, frowning like I need to think about it. Finally, I say, “I like puzzles. And word games. Oh! And I love being outside. Well, when the weather is warmer. Snow and I don’t really get along. It makes me anxious.”
