Maria smacks her palms down onto the table. “You left that girl?”
My cheeks burn with shame as I nod. “I thought it was the right thing. Clearly it wasn’t and my actions hurt both of us. I’m trying like hell to get her to forgive me, but I keep fucking it up every chance I get.”
“Like on purpose or on accident?”
“Like the universe is against us.”
“How very star-crossed.” Maria smirks. “If it makes you feel better, I’m dating my ex-boyfriend’s older sister.”
For the first time all night, I laugh. “Yeah, actually. That does.”
“So… what are we gonna do?”
“About what?”
She snaps her fingers. “Keep up, Samson. About your girl, about Stella.”
“I’m gonna go home, have a beer, and try to pretend she’s not at a party surrounded by other guys.”
Maria imitates a game show buzzer. “Wrong!”
I arch a brow at her.
“We are gonna go get your girl.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“That’s right, lover boy.” She pauses as our server places down a burger basket in front of each of us. “Right after I make this burger my bitch.”
I shake my head. “You’re crazy—this is crazy.”
She smiles like the Cheshire cat. “All the best things are. Now, eat up, we have a relationship to save!”
Chapter Eighteen
Samson
Maria managed to get the address of the party house from her ex-boyfriend of all people. He played football for CVU and apparently not much has changed since then.
When we walk in, the party is in full swing and there are people everywhere. My eyes move across the room scanning every face until we find Stella in the kitchen, sandwiched between a built blond man and a surprisingly familiar black guy with braids.
She has a red cup in her hand and her hips are softly swaying to the music booming through the speakers in the other room.
I stand frozen, watching her as she tosses her head back and laughs without abandon at something one of them said.
Maria digs her elbow into my ribs. “What are you waiting for? There’s your girl!”
But suddenly I feel immobile, like my feet have taken root in the sticky kitchen floor.
“Come on, Samson, don’t puss out now.”
I glare at Maria but there’s no malice in it; it’s actually kind of nice to have someone call me on my shit.
“Do you need me to hold your hand and walk you to your first day of class?”
I glare at her. “Ha-ha, you’re so funny.”
“I’m just saying, you’re literally standing here while she hangs out in between two hotties.”
“Thought you were into chicks?”
“Oh, definitely. But I can appreciate good looks in anyone and those two boys are fine.”
“Whatever,” I grumble before stalking toward the keg in the corner of the room.
She trails behind me, cackling in delight at my misery.
I get a cup for each of us. Maria sips hers while I down mine in one go before wiping the foam from my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Forgot how bad this cheap shit tastes.”
“There is a reason I’m drinking slowly and it’s not because I’m classy.”
I huff out a laugh. “Alright, let’s do this.”
She starts humming—loudly—as we make our way across the kitchen.
“What in the hell are you doing?”
“Oh, sorry. I was making you theme music.”
“You’re weird.”
She lifts her cup into the air. “Hell yeah, I am!”
I set my sights on Stella and stalk across the room to her. “Luna,” I growl and she whips around to face me so quickly the ends of her hair slash at my face.
“Samson.” Stella breathes my name in a soft exhale before remembering she’s mad at me. Then she’s all attitude, with her hips cocked and her arms crossed. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for you.”
“What if I don’t want you to be here for me?” She narrows her eyes, an ugly scowl marring her pretty face.
Her attitude doesn’t dissuade me one bit. If anything, it spurs me on as I step forward and snake my right arm around her, and palm the back of her neck, tilting her face up to mine. “I’d say that’s too damn bad.”
“Let me—” I seal my lips to hers in a bruising kiss before she can finish her sentence.
She doesn’t put up any resistance. Her lips part instantly, allowing my tongue entry. I run my left hand down her back, stopping just above her ass, and pull her flush to me.
She threads her fingers into my hair, giving just as good as she’s getting. Our lips move together, until I lose all sense of time.
This is so much more than a kiss… it’s a claiming. I’m letting every one of these fucks know she’s mine.
Stella moans into my mouth and pulls me closer. I’m about to suggest we get out of here when a deep voice breaks through the haze. “Wanna introduce your friend, sunshine?”
She pulls back with a dazed look on her face. “What in the hell, Samson Carter?”