“It’s okay,” I whisper because despite my annoyance I am happy to see him. “Except my friends are lowkey obsessed with you and I can’t do anything about it.” My lips form a frown and I look up at him. “I know you like to be nice but don’t…entertain my friends.”

  He trails a finger down my face. “Baby, when have I ever?”

  “When you’re being polite.” I push him back so that we’re not pressed against each other when Aubrey and Luna return with the drinks.

  “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

  I raise an eyebrow at him. “You want to play this game, here? Because according to Luna, I’ve attracted quite a bit of attention in this dress specifically my ass in this dress and you can’t claim me here either.”

  He raises an eyebrow at me but I see the glint of annoyance pass over his face. “Is that so? Speaking of which, why does Harper think you’re seeing someone? I assume that means you haven’t told her.” His hand reaches up and drags down my face before rubbing my chin with his thumb.

  “Not exactly…and I may have checked my phone a few times looking for a text from you.” My cheeks heat slightly at my comment.

  He brushes my hair behind my shoulder and drags his knuckles up my neck and cheek. “I didn’t want to keep texting you. I was trying to give you some space tonight.”

  “Yes, I see that.” I raise an eyebrow at the fact that he’s currently standing in front of me.

  “You want to dance?” He nods over his shoulder.

  “At a bar where all my friends are?”

  “There’s another bar upstairs; come on. Isaac will keep Harper busy.”

  I furrow my brows before cocking my head to the side. “Does Isaac know?”

  He nods and pulls my drink from my hand and downs the rest of it in one gulp. “I told him.”

  My eyes widen to the size of saucers and I lean forward. “You did!? What did he say? What does he think?”

  “He was both a little drunk and potentially high on coke, so he had some questions but I think he’s reserving judgement until he’s sober.”

  Anxiety washes over me as I remember that he’s currently with my roommate on the dancefloor. “Do you think he’ll tell Harper?”

  He shakes his head. “I told him not to say anything to anyone right now.”

  “Do you trust him?”

  “Yes, baby. He’s not going to tell Harper.” He grabs my hand and pulls me away from the dark corner and away from my friends. I chance a glance behind me and don’t see Luna or Aubrey making me wonder if they got preoccupied somehow. We make our way down a long corridor his hand squeezing mine with every step as we head up a long narrow staircase. “So, guys haven’t been able to keep their eyes to themselves, you say?” he asks as we make it to the second floor. It’s similar to the first floor only they’re playing different music and it’s a little brighter. We go to the bar first, and he stands behind me pressing his dick into my back and boxing me in. He pushes my hair to one side and presses kisses down the side of my neck. “I can’t say I blame them; I can’t keep my eyes off of you when we’re in the same room either.” He nuzzles the side of my face before spinning me around to look at him. His eyes are soft and sincere and I melt under his tender gaze. “You’re stunning.”

  “For the record, I only want you looking at me,” I tell him honestly.

  “I know.” He smiles and I turn back around just as the bartender makes his way over. We order two shots of tequila that we take followed by two mixed drinks before making our way to the dance floor.

  “So, I was thinking about next weekend,” he starts. We aren’t really dancing together at this point, just swaying to the beat of the music.

  “What about it?”

  “Well, it’s Valentine’s Day.”

  “Oh!” The air leaves my lungs thinking about spending the most romantic holiday with James. Shit, should I get him something? I should, it’s our first holiday as a couple. “What do you want to do?”

  “I made us reservations at a resort upstate. I was thinking champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and a lot of time with my tongue in your cunt.”

  My mouth drops open at his sexy words before a giggle leaves my lips. “Really now?”

  “The resort has a spa also, so we can get couples massages if you want? But I just want to fall off the face of the Earth with you for two days. You and me.” He tucks a hair behind my ear and runs his knuckles down my cheek.

  “You and me,” I repeat. “I love that.”

  “Of course,” he taps my nose, “you won’t be able to hide that you’re seeing someone if you go missing for Valentine’s Day weekend.”

  “I’ll figure it out,” I tell him as the lights start to lower and the music starts to pick up with the sounds of Rihanna. The alcohol mixing with my hormones has me feeling reckless and I’m just about to pull him to the center of the room to grind on him when a voice interrupts my thoughts.

  “Gabrielle?” I turn my head to see Miles Carson with a huge smile on his face holding a drink in his hand. He looks a little more muscular than he did last semester, probably because he’s been living in the gym for basketball season. “I can’t believe my luck; I was just thinking about you.” He smiles as he infiltrates the bubble that James and I created. I can feel the annoyance radiating off of James instantly and I wince thinking about the last time these two were around each other. “And the brother, right?”

  “James.” I tell him his name, to avoid agreeing that he’s my brother and he nods.

  “Right. So how you been? I’m not going to lie, I’m kind of bummed that we don’t have a class together this semester.” I’m standing closer to James so I can feel his tension. I need to figure out how to get rid of Miles before alcohol and his need to finish what we started earlier cause James to snap. I don’t even know how to respond to his comment and he must feel the awkwardness so he continues. “You want to dance?”

  “Ummm…” I start and my greatest fear in this moment manifests when James speaks up.

  “She doesn’t,” James interjects, pulling me closer to him by the back of my dress. I can feel his hand at my back, holding the fabric in his hand so I can’t move and as much as it turns me on, I have to appear unaffected.

  “Miles, it was really good seeing you.” I nod, trying my best to appear like everything is fine and it’s just not a good time.

  “Dude, chill, it’s just a dance.” He chuckles before looking down at me. “How about it, Gab? I swear I don’t bite.”

  How in the fuck am I supposed to get out of this?

  Although I don’t think God is really happy with me these days with the whole sleeping with my brother thing, he seems to be looking out for me because a basketball team groupie with bright red curls comes bouncing over and links her arm with Miles.

  “Miles, we’re going to a new bar, this one is tired. Let’s go!” I swear, I’ve never been so happy to see someone I don’t know. She grabs his hand and laces their fingers and I’m wondering if it’s a show for me or if maybe they really are a thing which makes me wonder why he’s over here flirting with me.

  He lets go of her hand and I feel the second-hand embarrassment for her as he leans down. “It was great to see you, Gab. Hope to see you soon,” he says in my ear before he kisses my cheek and then he’s gone leaving me with James who’s like a volcano about to erupt.

  “Baby—” I start before I’m backed against a wall and he’s staring down at me. My eyes widen out of worry as I try to peer around him to make sure that Miles is gone.

  “He kissed you.” His voice is low and gravelly and I can feel the heat and intensity of his words between my legs.

  “On the cheek.”

  “I don’t give a fuck; I want to break his face for thinking he could even touch you. I thought you didn’t know him like that?” My lips tick downwards thinking that James could possibly think I’m lying to him about my friendship with Miles.

  “I don’t. I’ve never lied to you about anything. I…I think he’s just drunk and he thought he was being polite. Dad’s friends give me a kiss on the cheek when they see me. A kiss on the cheek is harmless, but I promise, he’s never been affectionate with me.” I can tell he’s gritting his teeth so I reach up and rub his face. “Relax. That’s nothing. You’re acting like he licked my whole face.”

  “How would you feel if the situation was reversed, Gab?” His face is close to mine and I can see the anger in his blue eyes.

  “Like shit, but you’re more mature than I am,” I say, somewhat joking. “Can you see this for what it is, please? A kiss on the cheek is like the least sexy thing on the planet, at least for me.” I bite my lip for emphasis. “Unless of course, it’s from you.”

  He cocks his head to the side and I see the anger starting to leave him slowly. “Come dance with me.”

  “Yes, please,” I tell him with a grin as we move into the center of the room amongst the throng of people grinding. The last song ends and I hear the deejay mention something along the lines of slowing it down for all the lovers in the room as the sounds of Drunk in Love begin to blare through the speakers. His hands find my hips, gripping me hard and I move my ass slowly in time with the sensual beat grinding against him. Remember that your friends are here somewhere, my subconscious whispers but I’m too far gone as the alcohol, the music, and James’ touch take over my brain. My eyes flutter closed as I reach up and rub my fingertips down the back of his neck. His dick is pressing against me and I bend over so my ass is perfectly aligned with his pelvis and I grind even harder against him before standing back up. My eyes open when his stubble rubs against my neck and a moan escapes me as he rubs his hard cock against me. His lips drag down my neck just as his hands briefly graze my tits before finding my hips again. My nipples pucker at the brief touch of his hands and I squeeze my legs together at the thought of them pebbling against his tongue.

  “I know you probably think I’m behaving like a psychopath, and trust me I think I am too.” He bites down on my neck. “But it’s only because I’m so fucking in love with you,” he whispers in my ear and it takes everything in me not to push him to the ground and rub against him until we both come.

  I turn around to face him. “I am too.” I wrap my hands around the back of his neck and press myself against him. “I get so wrapped up in you. Even now,” I whisper, “my friends could be anywhere and all I see is you.”

  His hand reaches up brushing a hair from my face and he lets it drag down to my neck and between my breasts. “You are so beautiful. Every inch of you is a work of art.”

  Butterflies erupt in my stomach and my heart flutters in my chest at his profoundly romantic words. “Take me home?”

  “Gladly.” He grabs my hand and we begin weaving our way through the crowd and towards the entrance. We’re back in the front bar when familiar faces come into view. I immediately drop James’ hand as Luna and Aubrey make their way towards us.

  “BITCH! Where’ve you been?” Aubrey slurs and I’m grateful that she seems very intoxicated.

  “Where’s Harper?” I ask, curious about my roommate and more importantly if she’s safe.

  “In a corner fucking his hot friend, probably,” Luna says pointing at James. “He’s hot, you’re hot,” she points at James again. “I know I’m fucking hot. We should totally have a hot party. Or shots! Hot people shots,” she exclaims and I roll my eyes at her drunken state.

  “I think I should get Gabrielle home,” James replies and I can feel his hand at my back preparing to guide me away from this potential disaster.

  “Home? Already!?” Luna looks at her phone and then back at us. It’s barely midnight, come on Cinderella, you can’t be a pumpkin yet.” She looks at James and cocks her head to the side and Aubrey interjects, running a hand through her wavy black hair.

  “How about a dance?” Aubrey who could pass for a Megan Fox doppelgänger, says to James and the annoyance from earlier is back. I’m ready to fucking go.

  “He doesn’t want to.” I laugh, trying hard not to make the situation awkward. “J, I’m hungry.” I look up at him and I hope he can hear the hidden meaning in my words.

  “Well, let’s get you fed then,” he laughs, responding to the innuendo before turning to my friends. “Good to see you ladies.” He doesn’t wait for their response before I’m being pulled quickly through the bar and before long we are back in the night air. I’m sending a text to Harper as he raises his hand to hail a cab when I frown realizing we have to leave his car here.

  “Are you actually hungry?” he asks. “Do you want to stop and get food?”

  “No,” I murmur. “We have food at home and I am so fucking wet for you. I want to be fucking you within the next twenty minutes, please.” I drag my index finger over my mouth, licking my finger before dragging it down my body.

  His eyes widen and within seconds we’re kissing. His hand weaves into my hair, tugging lightly. I rub against him, letting his body heat warm me everywhere. His teeth nip at my bottom lip before he pulls it between his teeth. His hands move out of my hair to my neck where he squeezes gently and I whimper into his mouth at the thought of him choking me later. A cab stops and we climb in, and before I can stop myself I climb into his lap and straddle him.

  “Hey gorgeous,” he says as I begin moving up and down on him, rubbing his cock with the space between my legs. “I wasn’t going to dance with them, baby. You spoke up, but you didn’t have to. I wouldn’t.” The cab is dark but the lit streets allow me to make out his face as we head towards his apartment. He grabs the back of my head. “You have no idea the power you have over me, do you? The second she asked I saw your face fall. The panic was written all over it.”

  “I just thought you might…because we didn’t really have an excuse and it would be easy to just appease the masses.” My brows furrow and his index finger rubs at the crease.

  “What about me has given you the impression that I care about anyone but you?” His nose rubs against mine. “That fucking Miles asshole had me almost unhinged just looking at you the way he did. I wouldn’t turn around and dance with another woman even if it is your friend. You mean everything to me, Gabrielle, and the last thing I ever want to do is upset you. I’m not going to risk us by doing anything stupid.”

  Gabrielle is talking animatedly and very fast which I know she does when she’s intoxicated as I stand in front of my apartment door. I know she assumes we’ll have sex but she has no idea what I have in store for her. I hadn’t planned to when the night began, but after that jerk off Miles that has had eyes for her for who knows how long wouldn’t leave her the fuck alone I felt the overwhelming need to exert my possession over her. “Gabrielle.” My voice is low and interrupts her sentence about having to work on her paper tomorrow.

  “Oh.” She must sense the tone of my voice. “Yes?”

  “When we get inside, go into our bedroom and get naked.”

  “I like where this is going.”

  I press her against the door and press myself against her. “You trust me, don’t you?”

  “Of course. More than I trust anyone.”

  “Enough to restrain you?” I hadn’t meant to start this conversation in the hallway of my floor but I figured better to have it now while we’re both clothed than while I’m naked and she could be persuaded by my hard dick.

  Her eyes widen. “Like…handcuffed?”

  “I do have handcuffs, but I was thinking maybe something less aggressive like my tie for instance?”

  “Well alright, Christian Grey, lead the way.”

  I let us into the apartment and watch as she sprints for the bedroom. “I have to pee, first!” she yells. I grab some water and a large glass of ice before moving into the bedroom. I see she’s still in the bathroom so I take the time to pull a few things out of the back of my closet. I didn’t necessarily want to whip or flog her like she’s probably picturing, but I do want to explore a few things with her and I’m happy she’s less drunk than she was at the start of the night but feeling tipsy enough to be a little more uninhibited.

  I pull off all of my clothes leaving me naked and ready for her when she emerges from the bathroom just as naked. She runs her gaze from my feet all the way up my body until she lands on my eyes and it’s almost over before it starts because my cock already wants to be inside of her just from that one sexy look alone.

  “Bed. Lie on your back and spread your legs.” She does as she’s told eagerly and I love her willingness to obey.

  I grab two of my ties and tie her hands to the headboard. “My bed is too big and you’re too small to tie your legs as well, but keep them down or I’ll be investing in a spreader bar to keep them where I want them.

  “You don’t have one anyway?” she asks. “What is this? I thought I was getting ready for my intro to BDSM?”

  I roll my eyes at her cheeky comment. “I’m not an actual dominant, Gabrielle. Now hush.”

  “Oh yes, sir.” She purrs and I lean over her, gripping her face.

  “You’re kind of killing the vibe here.”

  “Sorry, no one told you to do this while I was intoxicated. But let me get into character.” She blows out a puff of air. “I’m ready!”

  I know I just have to start and she’ll get in the headspace where I need her to be in no time. “Now I know you have your own vibrator,” I tell her. “But I wanted you to come on one that I bought for you. For us,” I tell her. “This arrived yesterday,” I assure her in case she’s wondering if I’ve ever used it on anyone else.

  One of the nights we were apart, I had her fuck herself with her vibrator on FaceTime and it was the hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen. The way her cunt gripped the rubber. The way her arousal leaked out of her after she came around it. The look on her face when she came. The way she whispered my name as she fell over.