Abby (Tate Family Holidays 2)

He strokes my crease. “How short are these shorts anyway?”

Instantly, I lift my ass up and press into his hand. “Too short, but I didn’t think it was a big deal, since I have a robe covering me.”

His hands press against each globe of my ass and flatten me against him. His erection is prodding against me and when I try to get closer, he moans into my hair. “Honey, we’re going to have to get off this dance floor. I can’t take much more of this and I really don’t want to take you with an audience.”

Reluctantly, I back away from him. What is wrong with me? I just met this man hours ago and I’m about to dry hump him on the dance floor in front of all my family and friends.

“Hey, Abby. Will you dance with me?” Derrick interrupts us.

Brent steps between Derrick and me. “No, she’s not dancing with you.”

But Derrick doesn’t back down. He looks at me and asks, “Please, I just want to talk to you.”

“No…” Brent starts but I stop him with a touch to his shoulder.

His eyes lock on mine and his face tightens with every word I mutter. “Brent, it’s okay. I really should talk to him. Our families are best friends. I need to get this over with.”

He looks at me for a long second while Derrick stands next to us, swaying side to side on the balls of his feet.

Brent rolls his head between his shoulders like he’s trying to relieve tension. “Off the dance floor. Not in his arms. And he doesn’t touch you.”

The stern set of his jaw has me nodding my head at him. He walks me to the edge of the dance floor with Derrick traipsing behind us. “I’ll be right there.”

He points to a spot next to the bar and I nod. He twists his back to look at Derrick. “Don’t touch her.”

Derrick holds his hands out in front of him and nods at him. Wow. Earlier he was all cocky and running his mouth, now it seems he’s backing down from Brent.

I watch him walk away, but Derrick starts talking to me so I turn to him. “I’m sorry about earlier, Abby. I shouldn’t have acted that way. I would like a second chance with you. It was wrong for me to assume that I could move in with you.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. “No. I should have ended it with you a while back. It’s just not going to work out between us. I’m sorry.”

His shoulders slump. “C’mon, Abby, we’re good together. Our families are close.”

I shake my head side to side. I can’t help but think I did this to myself. I attract these type of men, ones that need taken care of. “I’m sorry, but no, we just don’t add up.”

He seems like he wants to argue, but in the end he just nods his head and starts to put his arms around me for a hug. Almost instantly, Brent is at my side, shaking his head at me.

I grab on to his hand and try to let him know that it’s okay, but he shakes his head at me. Derrick drops his arms and tells me bye before walking away.

I pull away from Brent and put my hands on my hips. “You know you can’t tell me what to do?”

His lips press into a tight smile. “Are you ready to go?”

I look at him curiously. “Yeah. Let me tell my parents bye.”

Brent

The ride home is quiet and I see her squirming in her seat. She starts to talk a few times, but never gets the words out. I know I’m making her nervous, which is not my intent, but I am trying to rein in my feelings before I make a fool of myself.

I spent the whole night with a line of men touching her, hugging her and talking to her. All of it was innocent for the most part, but I’m not used to the jealous and possessive feelings that are eating at me.

I help her out of the truck and walk her to her apartment door. She’s staring at me, but I’m not giving an inch. I’m afraid if I start, I won’t be able to stop. “G’night, Brent. Thanks for going with me,” she says before shutting the door firmly behind her.

The flash of hurt on her face keeps me frozen in place. I put my hands on the door frame and lean into it, taking a deep breath. “Fuck.” I grimace before standing up straight and knocking on her door.

She opens it and looks at me questioningly. Since she walked in, she had shed her robe. I look her over quickly and ask her if I can come in.

“Uh… sure,” she says and opens the door wider for me to enter. I walk past her and stop when I get to the couch.