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“Anything pink.” I grin, and it’s not even forced. This is amazing.
Blaze licks his lips, his eyes roving over me, and I like how it makes me feel. Desired and wanted. Sexy. “I think pink is the perfect color for you.”
I return to our table after dancing a few more minutes alone, a little less steady than when I left. My friends all sit there, waiting with wide, matching grins.
Jagger is there, too. I didn’t know he was here. He isn’t smiling. It’s the opposite of smiling, but I can’t remember what it’s called. I poke the corners of his upside-down mouth, pushing it up. “Don’t kill my buzz.”
His brows dip, and he pulls away. “Don’t give me a reason to.” He stands, allowing me to slide in next to my friends. I stick my tongue out at him once I’m snuggled next to Lily.
“Casey Parsons,” her nails dig into my arms as her eyes swirl with teasing mischief, “what was that?”
I shrug and accept another shot from Ash. This one doesn’t even burn going down. It doesn’t taste like much, either. I must be getting better at this drinking thing.
Lily and Jagger begin arguing, but I tune them out, instead swaying my body to the beat. Thinking about Graham’s eyes on me, full of possessiveness, jealousy, and lust. My body heats, and I squirm in my seat as my core pulses with desire.
In the back of my mind, the niggling reminder tries to seep past the hazy delusion I’ve created, but I grab another shot, tossing the lady-boner killer back with it. Besides, my body has already decided my brain can get lost.
My lashes sweep my cheeks as my body sways, remembering thelast… half-hour. But in Blaze’s place is Graham. His hands on my body. That deep, growly voice brushing my skin. Hot whiskey breath fanning my skin. His thick, hard…
My eyes fly open with an epiphany. I slap Jagger’s arm, making him lift a questioning brow but not deterring him from the drink at his lips. “I need you to teach me sex,” I blurt with enthusiasm.
His drink spews from his mouth, barely missing Ashleigh. “What the fuck?” He wheezes and coughs, trying to clear his lungs.
“I want to be good at it, and you sleep with lots of girls.” I nod matter-of-factly, satisfied with my answer. I mean, who else could I ask?
“No. Just…” he drags his hand down his face and shudders. “Holy fuck, I just saw my life flash before my eyes,” he mutters, then looks at me. When he sees my crestfallen expression, he groans. “Cut that out. It’s not because you’re not attractive. You’re gorgeous, Case, but you’re my sister.”
“Not a for real sister,” I pout.
“Fucking real enough, so no, I will not teach you sex. We will not discuss sex. I don’t even want to think about you having sex.”
“I volunteer as tribute.” Thad slips into the booth with a grin. “I can teach you all sorts of things.”
My eyes get wide as I get eager at the thought, but before I can say anything, Lily and Jagger both yell. “No!”
Ugh. It’s not even up to them. It’s my decision.
I open my mouth, ready to argue, as I reach across the table for another shot—good thing Lily ordered a ton—but I don’t get to say a word. I don’t get my shot either. Because six-feet-four inches of dark fury stands over the table, gritting his teeth. “I think you’ve had enough, Sunflower.”
Graham
For ten minutes I’ve tried to ignore Elise as she blathers on about her cosmetics company’s new line of whatever the hell it is they make. Bullshit I couldn’t care less about if I tried. I’ve spent the entire time she’s stood here, trying my damnedest to see around her. Like now, I glimpse Casey tossing back more liquor just as the clueless woman shifts again, blocking my view. I don’t even bother swallowing my growl this time.
I blame myself. I’ve kept her around because Elise has been one of my more tolerable hookups over the years. My preferred companion at business functions, charity galas, and political events, she’s always made me look good, then we’d enjoy a few hours between the sheets before going our separate ways, but it’s no secret she aspires to be more, though I have no idea why.
She’s not like most of the socialite women I know. She wants more than to be seen as a pretty face living on Daddy’s trust fund until some millionaire carries her off in a horse-drawn carriage to Stepford. She wants a career. To make a name for herself beyond her trust fund and inheritance, and she’s done a phenomenal job at doing just that by starting her own line of cosmetics and then turning it into an empire.
But she’s also self-centered and demanding. She wants someone to bend to her will, adhere to her schedule, and prioritize her wants and needs above all else. She knocked herself out of the running to ever be more than sex when she complainedthe entire weekend the one time I brought her home, despite knowing they were why I went. That was our junior year of college.
If I’d cut her off completely back then, maybe she wouldn’t be standing here now, not taking the hint. But what can I say? She was convenient and a decent lay.
“Graham, why do I feel you aren’t interested in anything I say?” She may be self-absorbed, but she’s far from stupid.
I drag my eyes to hers. “Because I’m not,” I say dryly, bringing my drink to my lips.
What? I never claimed I wasn’t an asshole. At least I didn’t lie to her.
Her eyes narrow, then she looks over her shoulder. I canfinallysee around her, and my heart flops when I spot an empty table. “What’s so interesting over there?”Nothing now.She scans the rest of the space, still curious. “Is that… Casey?” I’m shocked she remembers her name. She couldn’t be bothered with her or Jagger when they were kids. Maybe they’ve been at some social functions together.
