People clap and cheer as he climbs the staircase to the second floor. My name reverberates through the crowd like a wave. Whispers and giggles assault my ears, making the tips burn with humiliation.
“Can you put me down?” I growl, fed up with his manhandling. Thank God I won’t see most of these people again. That’s the only thought getting me through this godforsaken moment.
Beck slaps my ass none too gently, and the sound of flesh striking flesh echoes off the cavernous walls of the hallway.
“Ow!” I yelp.
“Now that sounded like it hurt.” Amusement simmers in his deep voice.
“What the hell was that for?” I demand. The sting of his smack resonates through my backside. No one has ever struck my ass before. Not my parents when I was younger, and certainly not anyone I’ve gone out with.
The audacity of this guy!
“No reason, just felt like it.”
Grrrr.
I grit my teeth as he turns to the left and walks down the hallway. I played here enough times as a kid to know he’s taking me to his room. His bedroom is on one side of the spacious second floor while his parent’s suite is located on the other. He could probably get murdered, and his parents wouldn’t hear a thing.
Not that I’m in any position to bargain, but it’s worth a shot. “I’ll agree to stay the night,” I hiss, “if I can have my own room.”
“No can do, sweetheart. You’ll be bunking with me.”
Aggravated by his uncompromising response, I pummel my fists against the wide expanse of his back. “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to sleep with you!”
“Don’t worry, you’re not about to get that lucky,” he chuckles. “Maybe if you beg prettily, I’ll change my mind.”
Ha!
As if…
I ignore the comment. We both know that won’t be happening.
Ever.
I wouldn’t beg Beck to spit in my mouth if I were dying of thirst in the desert, and he was my only chance for survival.
“You have four guestrooms, put me in one of those for the night. If there’s a problem, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Wish I could, but all the rooms are taken. A few friends might crash. Better safe than sorry. Am I right?”
Damnit.
Beck isn’t concerned about my wellbeing. This is another way for him to get under my skin. I’m on to his games. He’s probably doing it since his parents asked me to keep an eye on him. Is that my fault? Should I be punished because he’s an irresponsible child?
Nope. I don’t think so.
I never should have allowed Alyssa to talk me into attending this party. It was a mistake. No good deed goes unpunished. This is what I get for trying to be a good friend.
Beck stops in front of a closed door before reaching for the handle and shoving it open. It only takes two steps before we’re crossing over the threshold and he’s slamming the door shut, locking me inside like a prisoner.
With him.
Once inside the spacious bedroom, he hunkers down. I breathe a sigh of relief when his hand disappears from my backside. Cool air hits my newly warmed flesh, making me even more aware of the way he had been touching me. His large hands wrap around my hips as I slide against his body until my sandaled feet are planted on the floor. Then he releases me and rises to his full height.
All the nasty names on the tip of my tongue dissolve. It’s as if we’re frozen in place, unsure what to do now that he’s brought me here. When he inhales, I do the same. When he releases his breath, I follow suit.
What’s happening?
More importantly, how do I make it stop?
How do I shake off the heavy feelings of attraction unfurling inside me?
Over the years, I’ve become a master at burying the emotions Beck rouses in me. With one look, they’ve broken free and are simmering at the surface. And that’s dangerous. I don’t want Beck to suspect how I truly feel about him.
Can you imagine what he would do with that kind of information?
I flinch at the thought.
Beck is careless with people’s feelings. Especially the fairer sex. I’ve witnessed firsthand the trail of tears and broken hearts he leaves behind in his wake.
As if realizing we’ve become stuck in a moment, he blinks and takes a hasty step in retreat. It’s enough to break the spell that has fallen over me. A million questions flood through my brain, but not a single one leaves my mouth. It’s a relief when he turns away and relinquishes my gaze. I shake my head to clear it as he pulls open the third drawer of his dresser. I’m treated to an impressive view of his bare back. All those tightly honed muscles that stretch and shift with every movement.