Page 42 of Big D!ck Energy

I turned to walk away, but his hand caught my elbow. “It wasn't a request.” His lips brushed my ear as he spoke, breath hot against my neck, and then he was moving, cutting through the crowd with me in tow.

“Dallas…” I snatched my arm free as he pulled me into a deserted hallway, away from the music and laughter. “What the hell?”

He spun to face me, and the look on his face stopped my next breath in my throat.

“What are you talking about?” His voice was low, controlled. “Why would you think I'm lying about being attracted to you?”

I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly self-conscious in the quiet hallway. “Because everyone knows why you chose Brooke that night at the bar.”

His confusion deepened, brows drawing together. “And why is that?”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, Davidson.” He stepped closer, invading my personal space. “Seriously.”

I lifted my chin, hating the words even as they came out. “Because you thought it would be funny. Matt flirting with the fat girl. Big joke for the boys.”

The color drained from his face. “What? Who the fuck told you I said that? Or even joked like that…”

I shrugged, looking away.

“Does Brooke think that?” He dragged both hands through his hair. “Fuck, does Matt think that's why…” He stepped forward, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. “You want to know why I chose Brooke that night?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

“Because she was alone.” His eyes bored into mine, intense and unflinching. “She was the only woman in that entire bar who wasn't with friends or hanging all over some guy. Yeah, we were drunk. Yeah, we were being idiots. But what I thought was funny…” He laughed, short and bitter. “...was making Matt do something he hadn't done in years. Walk up and talk to a woman. Forcing him to put himself out there and risk rejection.”

He moved closer, and I could smell the champagne on his breath.

“You want to know what else I thought?” He looked away for a long moment before turning back. “I thought she was too good for him. I thought for sure she'd tell him to fuck off and walk away.” The look in his eyes was so earnest that I actually believed him. “Never in a million years did I imagine she'd say yes. That Matt would fall in love. That I'd be the best man at their wedding and end up married to the maid of honor.”

My heart was doing acrobatics. “So everything you've been saying...” I whispered. “It's all been true?”

He nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face, softer than his usual cocky grin. “I think the bride was beautiful tonight. But my wife was the most beautiful woman in the room.”

The air between us felt electric. Charged.

“I should probably...” He cleared his throat and stepped back. “I should go talk to Brooke and Matt. Clear this up.” He huffed out a humorless laugh. “I can't believe Matt asked me to be his best man, given what you thought I…”

“Dallas.” I caught his hand before he could retreat further. “I think Matt's grateful for that night. For meeting her. But yeah, you should probably clear up the confusion. Maybe Brooke will hate you a little less.”

“Hate me less?” He raised an eyebrow, some of that arrogant confidence sliding back into place. “What about you, Mrs. Dodger? Do you hate me less?”

“I hate you to the moon and back, Dodger,” I said, but I was smiling as we headed back in.

CHAPTER 15

WINE & ORGASMS

DALLAS

I settled into the first-class seat as I watched Davina collapse into the window seat beside me. Her head tipped back against the leather headrest, eyes sliding shut before the flight attendant even finished the safety demonstration.

I gave her exactly forty-five seconds of peace. “Do you think Brooke believed me?”

One eye cracked open, fixing me with a look that could curdle milk. “Yes.” She didn't bother lifting her head. “Lucky for you, Brooke trusts people until they give her a reason not to.” A pause. “Me, on the other hand...”

My chest constricted. “You don't believe me?”