Page 27 of Bad Run

“I can do whatever I want. I’m the one with the camera and the editing skills.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

“Witch,” Lance growls as he rips open the door and exits my office.

“I’ll take that as your compliance,” I shout at his back, and he stomps away.

I’m so proud of myself for standing up to him. I don’t really know where that sudden burst of confidence came from, but I am so here for it.

It felt amazing to take back my power.

If I can take back my power from a man who sunk his claws into my heart and then squished it, then I can stand up to my father.

When the sound of Lance’s cleats hitting the concrete disappears, I grab a donut from the box and take a bite, celebrating my victory. The sweet burst of flavors sends me back in time with a jolt.

nine

Gwen

Past

“Have fun riding his baseball bat all night long.” My best friend wiggles her eyebrows at me.

“Shh,” I hiss at her. My head swivels, and I eye the surrounding crowd as Jenna bursts out laughing. The last thing I need is my personal business to get back to my father.

“Relax. I expect all the details tomorrow. Like size and girth.”

My cheeks feel so hot they might as well be two neon-pink signs. “You’re terrible.”

“And you’re too easy.”

“Whatever.” I place the strap of my purse over my shoulder. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can stay.”

Please be okay.

“Uh, hell no. Get your little ass out of here and go do that man, before someone else does. Besides, I’ll just ask Tristan for a ride if I need one.” She pumps her brows at me again.

I swear on a stack of romance books, if she rats me out by asking Tristan for a ride, I’m going to shave her perfectly manicured eyebrows off her forehead. Walking backward, I give my friend the finger. Jenna throws her head back and laughs as her dance partner places a hand on her back, stealing her attention.

I don’t like leaving her behind with someone she barely met, but the opportunity to spend more time with Lance, away from prying eyes, is too tempting to resist. I’m just glad we have location sharing on.

Once my friend disappears into the dancing crowd, I spin around and make my way toward the bathroom where Lance and I agreed to meet.

My heart rate speeds up, and my stomach swoops in excitement. I’m about to live out a dream date with the guy I’ve been crushing on for ages.

Is this really happening?

The urge to pinch myself is overruled by my feet’s impatience to get to the man himself. As I turn the corner, like in a scene straight out of the movies, the crowd parts … and there he is.

Leaning against the wall, one foot propped up, his hands in his pockets, looking like a snack, is Lance. His muscular body is pure masculine perfection, and the expertly tailored suit and matching jacket he’s wearing accentuate every impressive inch of him.

As if our bodies are connected by electrifying threads, Lance lifts his head, giving me his full attention. His beautiful blue eyes knock me off balance, and I’m wholly unprepared for the smoldering smile he gives me as his heated gaze roams my body from head to toe.

My freaking knees wobble, like a baby deer caught in headlights, as I close the distance between us.

He pushes off the wall and holds out his hand for me to take. “Ready?”

“Ready.” I place my hand in his, and like it did on the roof, the same electrical shock snaps between our palms as he laces our fingers together. Lance leads me out the back door and into a dark alley behind the club. “Where are we going?”

He pulls me to a stop, just a couple of feet from the back door, and looks down at me with a coy smile. “Somewhere I think you’ll like. Do you trust me?”