Chapter 16

“Seven tequila shots with lemons, please! Kyle, get over here—we’re doing the first round of shots!” Andy hollered across the room to Kyle.

Asher, the guy Kyle had been chatting with, joined us. We all downed our shots, and then Andy pulled me over to one of the couches. The boys followed us over almost immediately.

I knew Andy had intended to talk to me before the guys joined us, but they beat her to it. Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

Standing up, I asked, “Anyone want a drink from the bar?”

Andy nodded and said, “Surprise me, doll!” I laughed and sauntered over to the bar, drawing a few appreciative glances along the way.

My phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out to see who had messaged me.

Drew?

~What now?~ I sighed, placing my phone on the bar. I ordered two green tea cocktails from the bartender. As I waited, I felt a warm hand on my waist. I glanced over my shoulder. Knox? What was he doing here?

“You alright, baby doll?” he asked, a look of concern on his face. Before I could answer, my phone started buzzing again. I picked it up to see that Drew was actually calling me.

Groaning aloud, I was about to answer when Knox snatched my phone from my hand. He turned it off and said, “I’m keeping this for the night. I’ll give it back later. You need to forget about that douche and have fun. Let loose and get drunk! But not too drunk—I’m not picking you up off the floor.”

I couldn’t argue with that. When our drinks were ready, I reached for my wallet, but Knox grabbed my hand.

“The night is on me. You’re not paying for anything, baby doll. I’ll never let you when you’re out with me,” he said, winking at me.

I thanked him just as Andy came rushing over. She announced that we were all going to dance together. By “together,” she meant she’d be grinding on my brother and expected me to do the same with someone else.

I was all for it, but A) I wasn’t drunk enough, B) Kyle would kill any guy who dared to play Russian roulette with me, and C) If Kyle didn’t, Knox would.

Knox’s phone started to ring. He held up a finger to signal he’d be a minute and stepped away to take the call. I turned my attention back to the night.

~I’m going to enjoy myself. It’s going to be fun!~ I repeated in my head.

I glanced over to see Andy and Kyle dancing together. Well, “dancing” was a generous term.

“Rookie mistake to leave a beautiful girl alone without a dancing partner,” a deep voice murmured in my ear. I recognized that voice—Travis. I turned to see him and gave him a hug.

“I didn’t know you were here! I haven’t seen you all night! How are you? Tough luck on the game today. You played so well!” I gushed, releasing him from our hug.

“I’m a lot better now that I’ve seen you! Yeah, I just got here a few minutes ago. Thanks, Alex!” He took a step back, took my hand, and twirled me around.

“Well, well, well, don’t you look absolutely gorgeous! I was wondering who the girl in the purple dress was that all the guys were talking about!” His words were slightly slurred, and I grinned up at him, blushing.

“Well, isn’t someone a charmer tonight?” I flirted back, playfully hitting his shoulder.

“Travis! There you are, babe! Want to get a drink? I’m so thirsty,” a voice called from the crowd.

I looked in the direction of the voice and thought, ~Yeah, thirsty for something, alright.~ Travis chuckled. ~Crap, did I say that out loud? I need to stop doing that.~

I looked back at him to see him watching me. “Sorry, Trish, I’m a little busy right now,” he said, not breaking eye contact with me. He pulled me closer to him and asked if I wanted to dance.

I scanned the crowd and didn’t see Andy and Kyle. ~Thank God!~ I turned back to Travis and accepted his invitation.

Once we hit the dance floor, he pulled me close and started to dance. This guy had moves.

We laughed as he whispered jokes and compliments in my ear, making me blush. This guy was such a player.

He led me to the edge of the dance floor and pulled me against his chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck and swayed my hips to the music.

His hands were getting dangerously low. I looked up at him to see him smirking. He spun me around and whispered seductively in my ear, “Grind on me, Alex.”

His demand caught me off guard, and I turned back around to face him. Something about the way he said it set off alarm bells in my head. He was drunk, and suddenly, I felt a knot in my stomach.

~Something’s not right.~ I shook my head, not comfortable or drunk enough to comply. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into a quieter area.

Now I was starting to get scared. I was definitely not comfortable with the situation. ~Why do I always land myself in this crap?~

He led me into a room where there were only a few stragglers, all too intoxicated to notice us.

“Travis, where are we going? Can’t we just go back to the dance floor?” I asked. He turned to face me and started walking backward.

“We’re getting some privacy, babe. You were such a tease on the dance floor. But you looked shy when I wanted you to grind on me, so I thought we could have some privacy so you could do it?”

“What? No, Travis, I’m not grinding on you. I’m not one of those types of girls. I know what this leads to, and I’m not someone who does one-night stands.

“Look, Travis, I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but that’s not going to happen,” I say, my voice steady. His face hardens, his eyes flashing with anger. ~Oh no, this is not going to be good.~

“You’re telling me that you were dancing with me, flirting with me, and you’re not even going to—”

“No, Travis!” I interrupt, my blood boiling. “I will not go home with you! I just told you I’m NOT that type of girl! Go find someone else who will.”

As I turn to walk away, he grabs my wrist, pulling me back towards him.

“Don’t walk away from me, Alex! Don’t pretend you weren’t on the same page as me. I want you just as much as you want me! You don’t know how badly I want to rip this sexy dress right off you now.”

His hand trails up my dress, his finger brushing under my left breast. ~Oh my god, he’s not going there right now! Hell no!~ I grab his hand, trying to push it away, but he backs me up against a wall, his lips trailing down my neck.

His hot breath on my skin would be enticing if he weren’t so demanding, so drunk, and so downright creepy.

“Travis, I’m not going to say this again! This is NOT happening!”

“You know you’re fucking hot when you’re pissed! Damn, Alex, I’m so hard for you right now! Every guy in this club has been staring at you tonight! Is it so bad to want you all to myself?”

“Travis! Get off me right now! I’m serious! We were having a good time out there, don’t ruin it.”

Ignoring my pleas, he rolls his hips into mine, his heavy breath hot in my ear, a moan escaping his lips.

“Fuck, Alex! You’re so fucking sexy tonight, it should be illegal! I just want to take you home, make you come with my tongue, and bend you over and spank you until you beg me to put it in you.”

Panic surges through me. He’s not backing off. His words would’ve turned me on if I wasn’t so creeped out. I need to get away from him.

“Please, Travis! Don’t do this! I’m not comfortable with you doing this right now! Please just stop,” I beg, but he’s not listening. He just continues.

“Alex, the way you say my name makes me think of all the filthy things I’m going to do to you! I’m going to fuck you senseless tonight! I’m going to fuck you so hard that you’ll scream my name when you come—”

That’s it. I’ve had enough. I drive my knee up into his groin and run. I just want to get out of here. Leave this club. I clutch my purse tightly, as if it could somehow protect me.

I sprint back to the dance floor and keep running until I’m outside. I spot a cab and jump in, planning to text Andy that I’ve left. She’ll be fine with Kyle and Knox.