Breaking Even (Sterling Shore 5)

I hate my life.

“Rye Clanton,” a girl purrs from somewhere close by.

I turn to see her just as her chest is jutted in my face. She has a good five inches on me, making her at least 5'8.

Rye grins while facing her as well, his eyes flicking down to her chest to see her very exposed cleavage. She's got me beat there, too. I'm lucky to fill out a handful. As if she needs anymore perfection, her hair is as long and shiny blonde as it can be.

I hate her already.

“Cassandra,” he drawls, running his eyes over her body.

I almost gag. I so don't have to be here for this.

I start to walk away when she scoffs, “It's Cassie.”

That makes me stifle a smile. He's about to get a drink thrown in his face. Just to watch the show, I turn back around.

“I thought Cassie was just short for Cassandra,” he says, recovering from his slip as though it's effortless.

This time I do gag.

She looks at me, appraising me with a skeptical eye.

“And your friend?” she asks, obviously convinced I'm not his type.

Damn. I thought I looked pretty good in this dress. I may not meet supermodel status, but I look better than usual. I just wish it was in my comfort zone.

“This is Brin,” he says, pulling me back to him. “She's my date for the night.”

Yeah... I'm as shocked as she is that he just said that. Her eyebrows are trying to hit her hairline right now.

“Didn't know you were seeing anyone,” she says dryly.

“First date. I should get going. I'll catch up with you another time.” He puts his arm back around my shoulders and guides me toward the rest of the group.

“You didn't have to do that. I repeat: I'm not really your date.”

“Stop saying that,” he scolds lightly. “Tonight I'm your date. And despite what you might think, I don't ditch my date to hit on other girls.”

My eyes move to his lips, and I stare for a fraction of a second too long. “Let's dance,” he says, smiling down at me.

Since I love dancing, I don’t hesitate. I may not can wow a stage with my graceful finesse, but that doesn’t matter here. In a club like this, dancing is just sex with clothes on, and I can handle that.

***

RYE

Cassandra... Er, Cassie looked ripe for the picking, but Brin would have taken it personally. The girl needs to have fun and enjoy life. I wonder if she ever dates.

I should kick Wren's ass for bailing on her and not giving her a reason.

We make our way to the center of the floor, and I pull her to me as I start to move. She doesn't hesitate to grind her hips against me, and it shocks the fuck out of me. Christ, she can move that body. There's nothing sweet about her right now.

When she turns and presses her ass into me, I might groan. A little. I wasn't expecting my feisty, cute little neighbor who dresses in clothes too big for her, and tortures the hell out of me to be grinding on my cock right now. I certainly wasn't expecting to be hard as a damn rock.

She pushes against me and stretches her arm up, wrapping her soft hand around the back of my neck as our bodies writhe together. There’s no doubt that she feels what she’s doing to me, and I’m starting to worry there’s a prank in here somewhere.

My arms go around her waist as I bend over, pulling her to me, and we dance like we’re not both scheming for the other’s next disaster.