Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

MADISON

“A pretty girl shouldn’t be without a drink.”

My gaze lands on the fraternity president and down to the red liquid sloshing on the sides of the cup in his hand.

“Thanks.” I take the drink and force a smile. There’s no way that drink is coming near my lips. I don’t care if we previously fucked; I am not drinking anything out of an open container.

“I made it myself.” Jim winks. I’m not sure if it’s for reassurance or what, but his confession doesn’t do him any favors. He’s known for his potent concoctions. “Who are you here with?”

“Waiting on Becky.” I scan the crowded living room. People sway to the pulsating beats, others shouting over the noise, but no sign of my so-called friend. “She should be here any second.”

“Jim! Assistance floor one,” a voice calls from behind.

Jim gives him a nod and turns back to me. “Duty calls, but come find me later, yeah?” He waggles his eyebrows, which causes me to shake my head.

“Not happening, buddy.” Tonight or any other night, for that matter. He and I hooked up freshman year. Let’s just say it was less than thrilling. For me, at least.

“You’re going to want another ride. Sooner or later.”

My phone buzzes, thank God. I pull it out of my jeans pocket and shoo him away. “You’re not living in reality again.”

His laugh is contagious as he disappears into the crowd. I glance down at my text.

Becky: Sorry, Madds, I can’t make it.

I force my jaw closed. Great. I’m at a frat party by myself. I knew better than to agree to meet her here. Instead of firing off a text, I dial her number and move to the far corner of the room. The music is still thumping, but I can at least hear the ringtone. I’m surprised when she picks up.

“What do you mean you’re not coming?” I fire off.

“Don’t be mad. But I have a date.”

“A date?” I check the time on my phone. I’ve been waiting for her to show up for the past hour.

“One that you made within an hour?”

“I know. It sounds weird, but I ran into this guy when I stopped at the store on the way. He’s so hot and gives off big dick energy.”

“Seriously?” My tone is condescending, but I get it. After experiencing it, I’ve found out good dick is hard to find. I never knew that was a real thing until him.

I want to scream. Stupid Ryan. He screwed me over again!

“You know how difficult it is to meet people. Forgive me?”

Jesus. I can see her pouty lip through the phone. Letting out a sigh, I reluctantly nod even though she can’t see me. This is too much like the past when she stood me up at prom. The very one I thought Ryan would ask me to, but he asked Jade instead.

“You’re repeating past behaviors.”

“Is this about prom again?”

“Maybe,” I drawl out.

“That was four years ago. Get over it.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Besides, I didn’t ditch you. You ended up going.”

“Yeah, alone because you ditched me.” Truthfully, I wasn’t upset with her. What made me bitter was Ryan’s betrayal.

“Potato, pa-tah-to .” Her flippant response angers me further. I really need to stop hanging with her.

“Whatever, don’t ask me to go out again.” But as mad as I am with her, I don’t want her making bad decisions. “Be safe and watch out for dick trances.”

“Mmm, I should be so lucky.”

I grind my teeth when she hangs up.

“Madison?” A shrill voice grabs my attention and has me staring into Rosie Belington’s light brown eyes. “Wow! I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Yeah,” I drawl out. “The same can be said for you. I didn’t realize you attended Cessna U.”

“Best decision I made.” A blush creeps across her face as she crinkles her nose. “I owe you an apology for spilling my drink on you. I’m so sorry.”

The summer party flashes through my mind. I’ve tried not to think about that night, even willed the thoughts away. But the harder I push, the stronger I remember the feel of Ryan’s fingers pressing into my skin and the feel of his cock thrusting inside me. My body shudders from the memory.

Damn it. Why did sex with Ryan have to be the hottest night of my life?

It may have been a while since I had sex, but I’ve never been fucked like that before. Jim didn’t come close.

Ryan!

Fucking asshole.

He knew what he was doing.

“Maddy?” Her questionable tone snaps me from my mini flashback.

“Yeah, sorry. It’s okay. The sarong was older anyway.” If by old you mean the beginning of summer.

“I tried finding you later, but I was pretty wasted. I don’t remember too much of that night.” She smirks. “But I do remember Amy being upset.”

The girl who latched onto Ryan the moment he arrived. “Why?”

“She saw you and Ryan sneak away.” She elbows me the in the arm. “Decided to heed my advice and let loose, huh?”

“Something like that.” My stomach churns. Knowing what we did is one thing, but having others assume is another. Becky never questioned anything, so I thought I was safe and nobody knew. Though, if Dad knew, he would’ve said something by now.

God, I need to call Amanda and beg her to get to this party. She’s at work, but she’ll be getting off soon.

That’s what I do the moment Rosie exits. I’m in the middle of my SOS text when the hairs on the back of my neck rise. The music cuts off. There’s a moment of silent whispers before the entire room breaks out in a victory Wildcat chant. The hockey team has arrived.

Looking down at my red solo cup, I wince. I could really use a drink, one I make myself.

I head to the kitchen to escape and run into Jim. “Hey, Jim.”

“Maddy! How’s my girl doing?”

“I’m doing fine. Hardly your girl.”

“Way to pierce my heart.”

“I’m sure you’ll survive,” I laugh. We don’t hate each other. Quite the opposite, really. We just weren’t looking for anything long-term.

“How’re you liking the mix?”

I glance at the full drink in my hand. Do I tell the truth? “It’s a little strong.”

“What’s the matter, Maddy? ’Fraid you might have too much fun? We could resurrect that night a couple of years ago. Give it another round.”

I playfully shove him away, laughing. “You’re ridiculous. You know that’s not happening.”

He laughs, but my back goes rigid. There’s a disturbance in the force. I can feel it.

Jim leans in, erasing the distance between us. “Not even once? For old time’s sake?”

One moment, Jim’s stale beer breath is in my face, and the next, he’s gone.

“She said no.” Ryan backs him into the counter, hands twisted in his shirt. I’m too shocked to speak.

Jim tosses his arms up in surrender. “Hey, man. Chill. We were just kidding around.”

“Go kid somewhere else.” Ryan looks at me. “You okay?”

The concern in his voice cracks my chest. That’s the only explanation I can think of for the heaviness that has settled on it. I find my voice. “Yes, of course. Jim’s right. We were joking.”

Ryan grunts but releases his hold. “Find better jokes.”

His voice is colder than the ice he skates on. His chest heaves. I’ve never seen him this riled up except on the ice. He’s pissed on my behalf. A mix of guilt and gratitude swirls in my stomach. This reminds me of the old Ryan. The one I crushed on throughout high school.

“Whatever, man.” Jim pats Ryan’s back. “I’m out of here.”

“Thanks, Ryan.” I try to keep my voice steady, avoiding his piercing stare. Jim slips into the next room.

He just nods, stuffing his hands in his pockets as if looking for something to do with the pent-up energy coursing through him.

The kitchen suddenly feels too small, and I’m hyperaware of every inch between us.

Ryan breaks the silence, his voice a low rumble that sets my blood pumping. “You shouldn’t have to put up with that kind of crap, Maddy.”

“I know.” My voice is barely audible. I take a deep breath to steady my nerves. “But I can handle it. I’m not some damsel in distress.”

He rakes a hand through his light brown hair, looking exasperated. “That’s not what this is about, Maddy.”

“Then what is it about?” I challenge him, feeling the heat rise in my face. It’s not just from the alcohol.

I dare to meet his gaze, and the intensity in his eyes steals my breath. Without pause, he closes the distance between us. I try not to watch the lean muscles rippling under his shirt with each movement, but he’s just so damn perfect. Nobody should be built this fine.

Before I know it, only an inch of space is left between us. Can he hear my racing heart?

“Maybe it’s about this,” he whispers as his gaze drops to my lips and back to my eyes again.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. This is dangerous territory. We’re teetering on a precipice here. If we make one wrong move, we could freefall into something we might not be able to crawl out of.

His hand reaches up to gently tuck a loose curl behind my ear, his touch setting off fireworks under my skin.

For a moment, we stand there frozen in time. The noise from the party filters through as a muted background hum. Everything pales compared to the electricity crackling between us. Part of me wants to rub along his cock and tell him to find us an empty room, while the sensible side says to duck and run.

I do neither.

Instead, I stand transfixed by this pull he has over me.

“You know, we could have another go if you want.” The back of his fingers brush ever so softly along my jawline and onto my shoulder.

“Another go?” My panties scream yes, please, but I don’t know whether to be disgusted or flattered.

“You know you want to. We could have a friend-with-benefits thing.”

“That’s never going to happen.”

“No?” He leans to where his lips brush against my earlobe. “I can practically smell how wet you are.”

Oh God. If he only knew.

“I bet if I ran my fingers along your sweet cunt, I’d find you dripping wet.” His hand falls from my shoulder and traces a path along my side.

“You’re such an arrogant ass,” I somehow manage to say. Here, I warned Becky when it’s me who should be concerned. Ryan’s working some specialized wizardry because I’m completely bewitched.

“But I’m an arrogant ass who could teach you things.” His fingers curve around my waist and lower back as he pulls me against his rather hard but impressive package. Yep, I’m completely under his spell.

“That,” I pant, “was a one-time thing.”

“Your body’s response says differently.” That fucking dimple of his pops and makes my knees weaken. Or maybe it’s his words. I don’t know. But I’m about to cave when someone calls out his name in the next room and breaks the trance. We step back simultaneously as if burned, but the tension remains, hovering like a ghost in the room.

“Ryan,” the voice calls again, louder this time. He sighs, running another hand through his hair.

“Right. I better…” he starts, gesturing vaguely towards the sound.

“Yeah,” I reply quickly, too quickly. “You probably should.”

Even as he turns to go, his eyes linger on me. There’s an unspoken agreement in that look, an understanding that we’ve crossed a line tonight. A line we can’t uncross.

As he disappears into the crowd, I’m left alone with my thoughts and a quickened pulse. This is crazy. This has to stop.

I have no business getting involved with Ryan Sorenson, his moody gray eyes, and his infuriatingly protective instincts. But then again, has my heart ever listened to reason before?

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out. Amanda. I let out a slow breath. Seeing her name is just the reminder I need to put a pin in whatever inflated between Ryan and me. I type a quick response and go to find my friend.