Page 6 of Sail Me to Ruin
Jade hasa shit-eating grin plastered on her face that makes me feel like I’m a child caught red-handed doing something I wasn’t supposed to be doing, and my face flames in embarrassment.
“If you’ll just excuse me, some people actually have to use the restroom,” she says while walking between us. Once she’s inside and the door is closed, the silence between us is deafening.
My hands flail uselessly, but my mouth stays traitorously shut. He waits silently, leaning against the opposing wall as if we weren’t caught making out like teenagers by my friend. My eyes trail his body, noticing just how much he liked kissing me, and I fight to tear my eyes away before he catches me.
“So...uh. That was...nice?” Is what finally comes out, and internally, I cringe, knowing that definitely won’t go over well.
He arches a brow, irritation written all over his face like an open book. “Nice?” He squints at me as if he’s trying to understand something that he never will. “I fuck your mouth with my tongue, and it’s nice? That’s a new one. I think ‘thank you’ might be a better phrase to use.”
His arrogance causes my anger to flare once again, and if this is a fling I go for, I’ll fight for the upper hand just like I do with everyone else in my life.
I don’t want to fight; I want to enjoy this. I want this trip to feel easy and hot. While that was definitely hot, I can’t do it. I won’t.
Steeling myself against the words I’m sure will lash out of him in response to this, I let loose. “No, thank you.” I pause, giving him a moment to digest what I’ve said before continuing. His expression morphs to shock but I press on before I lose my nerve, praying Jade comes out at the right time.
“I understand that you’re what most girls like. I even understand your allure. You’re hot, dominating, and all consuming, but I don’t need that in my life. I deal with too many people constantly telling me what to do, and I don’t want or need that. I just want something easy. I don’t want to be a storm; I don’t want to wreck anybody. I just want things to be light and fun. So, thank you, but no thanks.”
There’s a pregnant pause as he lifts himself from the wall to close the distance between us, his expression now unreadable. Just as he reaches out to me, the bathroom door opens and Jade pops out like the angel she is.
“Good timing, we were just saying our goodbyes,” I tell her, taking her hand and walking off before either one of them can ask any questions. She stays silent as we make our way back out into the night air, waiting for me to talk.
However, I say nothing as we walk hand in hand over to the bar where I order us both new margaritas.
As we wait on the new drinks, she finally speaks. “Damn, bitch. I am so proud of you!
I was nosey, as you know I can be, and I heard your bad-bitch speech!”
She's practically bouncing with excitement, wrapping me in a hug. Letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, I wrap my arms around her too. The bartender drops our drinks off on the counter in front of us and she lets me go.
“I can’t do it, Jade. After Dad died, my mom has been suffocating me. I can’t save her and not lose myself. I don’t need anyone else who thinks I owe them something, when I don’t.”
Picking up her drink, she nods in agreement with my statement.
“You’re right, babe. You deserve for this to be fun. And that looked intense. He was trying to consume you, it was more than just a kiss from what it looked like on the outside.” She sips her drink and passes me mine.
“Girl! You’re right. It was so intense...” Trailing off, I ignore the ghost of his lips against mine by taking a sip of my drink. “But what happened to what’s his name? Nolan?”
She laughs. “Knox? Oh, yeah, that one has major mommy issues. Might tap that later though, I got his number.”
I just blink at her and sip my drink because sometimes this girl is just too crazy for me.
“You have issues too, babe, if that’s your thought process. Just saying.” I shrug my shoulders to make it seem less judgy and more like a fact.
Jade feigns offended, placing a hand over her chest dramatically. “Moi? Issues? No! Couldn’t be me.”
We both burst into laughter, bumping shoulders affectionately.
The night continues on as we people-watch and have a few more margaritas, laughing at the Chads out in full force, stripping shirts off and twirling them above their heads.
Just after midnight, we find our way back to the dance floor. Rolling our hips and giggling, we sway to the beat as the bass thrums through our bodies.
Hands find my waist and I lean back against the hard planes of a man’s chest. My eyes flit to Jade’s as if to ask if he’s attractive or not so I don’t have to turn around. She gives a subtle thumbs up after her eyes run up and down him.
I know my limits, and as long as he doesn’t push things, we can dance.
I close my eyes and grind my ass against him, rolling my hips under his hands. His fingers flex, biting into my skin a little harder. I relish the feeling that gives me and we keep dancing. My arms wind up behind me and around his neck.
Feeling his hot breath against the outer shell of my ear, my skin breaks out in goosebumps. “I’m Rhett. What’s your name, pretty girl?”
