“You did that?” I watch as the girl observed Xavier and suddenly I wanted to grab the shirt he still held high and pull it down.

  “I did,” I said, regaining her attention. “Why? You want yours done?”

  I watched as she swallowed hard and shook her head.

  “Don’t torment her, Red,” Xavier said, finally covering himself back up. “Remember what Morgan said, you’d break her.”

  Break her, mend her, heal her—fuck, I wanted to do them all. There was something about this girl. Something I noticed right off the moment I saw her at Porter’s. She just had this innocent look about her but I had a feeling, a strong one, that there was much more to this girl than the timid nature she displayed.

  “I’d be gentle.” I said the words, suddenly wishing I hadn’t but I guess those tequila shots were working a bit. Normally I had no problem holding myself together, but a mixture of the raven beauty and the alcohol had me loose-lipped.

  “Is that a promise?” I was a little shocked when she squared her shoulders and faced me head on. “Though I’m not entirely sure I’d want you to be gentle.”

  “I’d be whatever it is you needed me to be.”

  A loud whistle and a few hoots of approval sounded from my brothers who observed this exchange. She and I never once looked away from each other.

  “You are so sure of yourself.”

  I nod.

  “What would you do if I told you to show me?”

  I held out my hand to her and she simply looked down at it before lifting her gaze to mine once more. “I’d say let’s get going because we’re only wasting time, and for what I’m envisioning I need all the time I can get. There’s a long list of things I’d love to show you.”

  When she laughed I sensed it was a nervous cover up.

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Don Juan, but I’m not that girl.”

  I thought she was wrong, in fact I could almost guarantee it. I could see the spark in her eye when I got a little playful with her. Hidden beneath the façade she masked who she truly was. There was a strong girl, one who knew what she wanted, but was afraid to go for it. It didn’t even matter that she pretty much dissed me in front of my brothers and whoever else was watching. The only thing this temptress managed to do was turn me on more.

  “Okay, Buttercup.” Marcus, Morgan’s best friend, stepped up to the girl’s side. “You promised to be my wing-girl and standing here playing with Mr. Tall and Scary isn’t doing that.” He hooked his arm over her shoulder and began to drag her away. Only before he did I heard her say, “He’s not that scary.” That alone caused me to grin so wide my cheeks ached.

  I watched until I could no longer see her and then turned back to find Morgan and Xavier watching me with curiosity. “What?”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed him smile this much,” Xavier told Morgan. “Like ever.”

  “It’s eerily scary, you know like that feeling you get when you see the Joker grin.”

  “The Joker?”

  “Yeah in Batman.” She rolled her eyes. “The guy is a freak and he smiles that weird, freakish smile just before he does the crazy laugh thing.”

  “Hello,” I said, reminding them I was standing there listening to the entire conversation.

  Morgan shrugged as if there was nothing wrong about comparing me to some disturbed villain.

  “She wouldn’t survive a guy like you,” Morgan assured me. “I’m not entirely sure what kinda life she lives, but I get a sense that it isn’t a great one. She doesn’t need to be wrapped up in some guy’s fantasy about corrupting the innocent.”

  “Who says I would corrupt her?” Okay fine, so I didn’t just want to corrupt her.

  “Just go easy on her, please.”

  Looking back toward where the brunette had gone, I wondered what Morgan meant by her life not being a good one.

  Chapter Four

  Catherine

  “You want to tell me what that was all about?”

  I accepted the Solo cup Marcus was offering me and took a sip. “What, what was about?” He didn’t buy my innocent act for even a second. All I got was an arched eyebrow and an unimpressed tilt of his lips. In a way it resembled a frown. “Okay fine, I was just playing.”

  “That man is not one you play with.” He even used air quotes when he said the word play which made me laugh. Marcus was fun to have around. He actually made me forget for a short time what I would be forced to go home to later.

  “Why does everyone say he’s scary, or intimidating? He seems harmless.”

  “Harmless my ass.” His eyes widened and again I wanted to laugh. The man was so dramatic. “I’ve seen Elijah take out two of his brothers like it was the easiest thing in the world. I’ve watched him pulverize other players on the field and—”

  “Wait, the field?”

  “He plays football.” He waves his hand. “Keep up. He is not a gentle one. He would take a sweet little innocent like you and rip you to bits.”

  “Maybe I’d be the one that would be doing the ripping.”

  “Oh Buttercup.” He pulled me in close by placing his arm over my shoulder. “Maybe I shouldn’t be allowing you to drink, you’re already delusional.”

  ***

  I’d been to parties, maybe not a lot of them, but I’d been to enough to know how they work. A large crowd of young adults got together, drank heavily, then made out even heavier. There was something this one had the others didn’t, though, they had a group of fraternity guys who got their thrills by tormenting each other.

  In one room was a game involving balloons filled with pudding. The object of the game was to throw them at opponents on the opposite side of the room and see how many you could break. They called it shit bomb wars, and with the brown splatters, I’d agree the name was fitting.

  In another room was a group of girls who willingly took off their bras and allowed themselves to get ditched with water. Yes, you heard me right. I backed away from that room quickly, only to bump into someone behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was someone much taller and much stronger than me. I recognized the chuckle and my body went frigid in his arms.

  “I’ve seen you dozens of times, I’ve offered a few flirty offers. I’m still waiting for you to break me, little one.”

  “Little one?

  He found humor in my attitude, which only made my attempt at being tough falter. I had absolutely no idea why it was so hard to hold onto my control around Elijah. I barely knew the guy, but something about him made me feel safe, almost. He was a gentle giant.

  “You ever gonna tell me your name?”

  When he asked me that question I closed my eyes and tried not to allow my body to sag back against his when his breath fanned out over my neck. He still hadn’t touched me, other than his chest pressing firmly to my back.

  “Catherine,” I practically whispered my name before quickly clearing my throat. “But most people call me Cat.”

  “Okay Cat.” I felt his hand rest against my hip. “Why don’t you allow me to get you a drink?”

  I turned around and created a small amount of space between us. “I’ve always been told to never accept drinks from strangers at parties.”

  “Good girl.” He seemed genuinely pleased with my response. “But you and I are no longer strangers, you’re Cat and I’m Eli. Now let’s go have ourselves a drink or two.”

  I didn’t resist when Red led me toward the kitchen, but allowed him to take my hand in his as we weaved through that crowd of bodies. I ignored the curious stares we got as we passed. I wasn’t sure if it was me being with him that gained the attention or if it was him alone. Most of the staring seemed to come from the female figures.

  “What are you drinking?”

  Before I could answer Marcus stepped up to my opposite side and leaned over the countertop before us. “She is drinking Gombo.”

  “What the fuck is Gombo?”

  “Spiced rum, orange juice, and top it with Mountain Dew.” As Marcus disclosed the ingredients he was mixing them. Both Eli and I watched and when it was all blended Marcus held it out to me, smiled, and placed a kiss on my cheek. “You two play nice.”

  The man practically skipped off happily, winking over his shoulder as he went.

  “That guy is a rare breed.” Eli shook his head as he watched Marcus.

  “He’s refreshing.”

  I didn’t notice the silence until someone screamed out and I jumped in surprise. When I looked back toward Eli I realized he was watching me. “What?”

  “Nothing.” I could tell it was most definitely something but I didn’t push him.

  “Shots,” someone shouted and I looked behind the counter to see the same guy from earlier watching Eli like a hawk. “Line ‘‘em up for our friend Red here.” As he was saying this he was doing just that. Five tiny little Solo cups were placed out in a line, being filled to the point of overflowing, one after another.

  “I’ll volunteer for body shots,” a blonde girl with obviously fake tits shouted. I began to back away, suddenly worried about what might take place and I didn’t want to watch. Only I didn’t get far. Eli hooked me around the waist and pulled me close. “If body shots are the deal then I get to pick who they are off of, and I pick my Cat.”

  Hearing him call me his Cat shouldn’t have excited me but it did.

  I was so wrapped up in the scorned look on Blondie’s face that I barely registered being lifted to the countertop. “Wait, what are you doing?”

  Eli leaned in close, his mouth only inches from my own. “I’m putting you in place for these shots I’m about to take off your body. Unless you’d rather I use Dolly over there.” He didn’t look toward the girl he just referred to.

  I should have said, “Feel free to use her,” and hopped down off the counter, only I didn’t. I remembered the earlier confidence I held and reclaimed it. “What is it I get out of this?”

  “You’ll see.” There was a gleam in his eyes and a smirk on his face. I had a feeling I was in trouble.

  Confidence don’t fail me now.

  The shots were lined up on the far side of my body as Elijah eased me back. Once I was lying down he grinned sinfully and teasingly slipped his finger beneath the hem of my shirt. The moment the pad of his finger touched my stomach, chills covered my arms and legs. Ever so slowly he lifted my shirt higher, exposing my lower abdomen.

  The sound of something clinking against the counter next to me made me jump in surprise. A bowl of limes cut in slices now sat near my head.

  Looking back to Elijah, I caught the tail end of his banded hair behind his head, with only a few shorter strands hanging freely. Never had I ever felt the excitement I felt in that moment.

  “Are you ready, Cat?” Again, he did that grin that conveyed so much sin; I should have honestly run away as fast as my feet would carry me. But instead I nodded and allowed my body to relax.

  He reached over me, removed a lime from the bowl and lifted it to hover over my abs, allowing the water that they’d been rinsed in to drip onto my skin. With his opposite hand he sprinkled just enough salt to stick to the moisture. It felt like every movement he made was in slow motion. My body was humming with such excitement that my legs felt shaky.

  Skimming the lime over my lips, he licked his own and I swear I felt a reaction to his movement, deep within me. I had never in my life been as turned on as I was that moment.

  With the lime in place, the salt sprinkled on me and a shot in hand, Eli set forth his destruction.

  Chapter Five

  Elijah

  I had never put as much effort into a body shot before. But I had never had Catherine lying before me so I was going to make the most of it. I was going to make these the dirtiest fucking body shots in the history of shots. I’d do them all night if she agreed to stay right where she fucking was at this very second. Her dark hair spread out behind her with those pouty lips of hers wrapped around the lime.

  I was having the nastiest damn thoughts of something else those lips would look good wrapped around.

  “You ready?” I asked to break the trance I found myself in.

  “Waiting on you.” Her words were muffled around the lime but I heard them.

  I lowered my mouth to her stomach and ever so slowly ran my tongue over her skin, absorbing the salt, but most of all loving how her skin felt against my tongue. I looked up at her to find her eyes tightly closed, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my lips. It was the reaction I wanted.

  Rising up, I lifted the shot to my lips and downed the liquid just as her eyes eased open. They widened just a bit when I began to move my lips to hers, but just before I reached the lime, I used my hand to pull it away and took her mouth instead. She was shocked at first and I sensed a deep intake of breath just before her hand cupped the back of my neck and held me close. What I had planned to be a simple tease turned into so much more.

  By the time I pulled back she was breathless and her lips reddened.

  “Oh my hell,” a woman said from somewhere around us but there was no way my eyes were leaving Cat’s.

  “You ready for four more of those?”

  “Can we just skip the salt, drink, and lime and go straight for the kissing?” I chuckled at her forwardness and her cheeks reddened. Maybe she hadn’t meant to say the words aloud but the damage was done. I already knew she wasn’t the quiet girl I first met at Porter’s.

  “Shots, shots, shots,” the guys began to chant and suddenly I was seeing visions of tackling the fuckers.

  “That was so unbelievably sexy,” another girl said, somewhere close, and I had to agree.

  “I think the only way we’re getting out of this is if I do these other four shots.”

  “Okay fine.” She smirked and my dick jumped behind the zipper of my jeans. “Only if you promise to make each one better than the last.”

  “Challenge accepted.” And I did just that. By the time the shots were done, I was hard as stone and we were both breathing heavy. Sexual adrenaline was overpowering my buzz, and though I felt a little light on my feet, I still had a long way to go before Clayton would be able to gain his revenge.

  I found him in the room and the guy looked like he was lost. Poor bastard was putting entirely too much behind this challenge. He was so thirsty for revenge it was consuming him. I almost felt sorry for him.

  Almost.

  I carefully helped Catherine up from the counter, and as she slid off, placing her feet on the floor, I made sure to stand close. By the way her eyes widened I’d say she was fully aware of the effect our display moments ago had on me.

  “Those were nothing like any body shots I’ve ever witnessed before.” The breathless way she said it gave my ego one last boost. “I think I need some fresh air.”

  I began to follow behind her but both Marcus and Morgan stepped forward and took my place. Marcus looked me over as she slowly moved away and when his focus landed on my hard cock, I swear the guy purred.

  ***

  “Drink it,” Isaac said as he placed a cup in my hand.

  “What is it?” Lifting the cup to my nose, I took a whiff and crinkled my nose. “It smells like gasoline.”

  “I can assure you it isn’t gasoline, but it is some strong shit.” Still not taking a drink, I looked down at the dark liquid, knowing that if I drank this shit, I’d be paying for it the next day.

  Taking in one deep breath, I lifted the cup to my lips and took a huge drink. It may have not been gasoline but it sure as shit burned like a bitch going down. I winced and suddenly everything inside me felt like it was on fire. My throat, my chest, hell, even my eyes and teeth.

  Shaking my head, I held out the cup to Isaac. “I’d rather drink straight from the tequila bottle.”

  “There may have been some tequila in there too.”

  “May have been?”

  He shrugs as he looks down offensively at the cup he held. “Clayton made it, I just agreed to pass it to you.”

  “Great,” I said and looked around the room before spotting Clayton wearing a huge smile on his face. “That asshole probably roofied me.”

  “Yeah, probably.” Isaac walked away laughing.

  I felt like all eyes were on me at that point. I knew all my brothers had a hand in this. Normally they were loaded by now and doing some crazy shit, but they all seemed eerily sober.

  The moment my teeth felt like they had gone numb and my nose got some tingling sensation, I knew I was fucked.

  Chapter Six

  Catherine

  “Why don’t you just stay at our place?” Morgan insisted as Xavier pulled her backward and pinned her against his body, his arms wrapped securely around her middle. “I’m staying here so my bed is free.”

  “Oh I couldn’t.” I shook my head. “I have things I have to get done tomorrow and—”

  “You’ll have plenty of time to get up and get whatever it is you have to do done.” Marcus stepped up close to my side. “You’ve been drinking and I haven’t. So you can ride with me and tomorrow I’ll bring you back here to get your car. Then you can be on your way doing all those important things you have to do.”

  I think he knew I was lying; I had no life outside of school and work. I was beginning to think that Marcus had some type of built in lie detector. He always had a way of calling my bluff. Even if it was just with a simple look, you just knew he had you all figured out. The unimpressed look, his lips pressed tight together, one side of his nose twisted upward and he’d tilt his head just enough for you to notice.

  “You’re staying,” he finally stated. “You’ll need to get used to the fact that I rarely lose an argument.”