Gift From The Bad Boy

“C’mon,” she’d pleaded, giving me the puppy dog eyes that worked so well on every single member of the opposite gender. “You’re gonna make chins hit the floor as soon as you step into that place, I’m telling you.”

“I don’t care; there’s no way you’re convincing me to wear that. For God’s sake, it doesn’t even have a back!”

“I know!” she squealed. “It’s so hot!”

I’d been adamant, as firm and stubborn as I knew how to be. And, as luck would have it, I’d ended up wearing the damn thing anyway.

No back on the shirt meant no bra, so all I had to cover me up was this thin, sparkling material. One errant swipe might’ve whisked the whole thing off of me in a single go. Looking around, there were plenty of men here capable of doing something like that. A few women, too.

But if I felt naked in my clothes before, then I didn’t even know how to describe the way I felt as soon as Ben had strolled up. Strolled might not have been the best word for it. He was casual, as calm and collected as anyone had ever been, but it was in a controlled kind of way, like he was a panther on the prowl. Ready to pounce at any moment. On me.

I wiped a tear away from my eye. “I’m sorry,” I said, setting the glass back on the bar top. “I’m not much of a drinker.”

Ben’s smile broadened another little bit. “Not to worry. There are enough drunk assholes at this party already. No need to throw yourself into that category.”

“Are you one of those drunk assholes?” Lori asked pointedly.

I wanted to smack her. My whole face turned a burning red immediately and I had to squeeze a fist to stop myself from lashing out at her right away. Instead, I snuck my hand behind her so Ben couldn’t see. “Shut up,” I hissed out of the corner of my mouth as I gave her a vicious pinch on the ass.

She yelped and gave me an innocent look. “What?” she protested. “It’s a fair question!”

Ben laughed. “It’s fine,” he told me. “She’s right; it is a fair question.”

Lori crossed her arms and looked at me triumphantly. “See? Told you.”

I swallowed the embarrassed lump in my throat and tried to smile. It felt forced and awkward. I didn’t know what was happening in me. Well, I did and I didn’t at the same time. The cause was obvious. He was standing in front of me, all six and a half feet of him, chiseled out of bronze marble and with a wickedly handsome smile. But as far as the effect he was having on my stomach and between my legs, that was very new, indeed.

“I never got your name, by the way,” he said coolly.

“I’m Lori,” she answered. She still had her sass on full blast. I knew she was just trying to be protective, especially given how uncomfortable I’d been since the second we’d arrived. But this was different. Without any proof whatsoever, I felt like we could trust Ben. Like I’d be safe with him. It was a silly thought, maybe even just the alcohol talking, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was capable of devouring me without hurting me at all. Yep, definitely the alcohol.

“Well, Lori,” he rumbled, “to answer your question, there are, like I said, many drunk assholes in here. I’m certainly an asshole. But, the numerous shots I’ve had notwithstanding, I’m far from drunk. Sober enough to drive. To race, even. As a matter of fact, why don’t you let me take your friend here for a spin on my bike? Carmen, what do you think?”

His attention swung to me before I was even close to ready. I panicked. Where was my voice? Why couldn’t I talk? Words, Carmen, words! Use them! I screamed internally. “Um…well, uh, if you’re sure,” I mumbled. I didn’t understand why my tongue felt so thick and useless. It was like the disaster at the park with Dan all over again. My life was apparently becoming some sick rendition of Groundhog Day. Maybe I had died without knowing it and now I was stuck in some hellish purgatory where I had to stumble through awkward, embarrassing encounters with beautiful men over and over again. I couldn’t find any evidence to dispute it.

“I’m always sure,” he said.

And, damn, I really believed him. Being unsure didn’t seem like it was even a remote possibility for Ben. I nodded hesitantly.

“Perfect. Come on, I’ll show you my ride.”

“Wait,” Lori said.

Ben paused with one eyebrow raised. He looked startled for a moment at how forward she was, but then he relaxed and shook his head, like he didn’t even believe that he’d listened to her command.

Lori grabbed me by the shoulder and leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Are you okay?” she asked.