Forbidden Lust

It was well after midnight. Maybe I was sulking in the corner. Maybe I was slightly drunk. What was the goddamn difference?

Pepper and Grace left with their boyfriends, saying their goodbyes not before we organized a shopping trip tomorrow. I neglected to tell them about my earlier chat with Mr. Fucking Hot and Mysterious, which melted a hole in my underwear. That one I’d keep close to my chest. Once in a while, maybe tell myself that exchange happened.

The sizable crowd had dispersed, leaving Connor, Barrett, a few guys, and a handful of women around them.

I pushed away my champagne. I’d had enough rejection in the last twenty-four hours to last me a lifetime, and Barrett’s dismissal was just smearing salt on the wound. Since our earlier exchange, he’d completely forgotten the way he looked at me and was hitched with the leggy brunette who hadn’t left his side. She was draped on his arm, hanging off him like a leaf on a thick branch. Her hand not so subtly rested on his thigh while he threw back his beer.

I watched him laugh and joke with Connor—both carefree, living the lives they want and not caring about others around them. Their show was wearing thin. Walking out onto the balcony, I knew the fresh air would straighten me out. One breath of fresh air, then bed. Tomorrow I’d start my true vacation. Sun, surf, sand, and shopping. Everything the Hamptons was and more.

I checked my phone. Three missed calls from Hunter flashed on my screen.

Ugh.I’d eventually have to call him back, but tonight, I wanted to melt into my haze and just forget about it all. I wrapped my arms around my body. My halter dress with the exposed back, not doing anything to keep me warm from the now crisp air.

“Need a jacket?”

Turning around, a guy around my age took off his blazer and wrapped it around my arms.

“Thank you,” I said, shouldering into the stranger’s jacket. Perhaps this was the man to forget everything. Take a page out of the hunkholes book. No romance, just fucking. I laughed. How ridiculous. I wasn’t like that, was I?

“Something funny?”

Did I laugh out loud?Damn, girl, you’re drunk.

“Yeah, I’m not that girl.”

“What girl?”

“Those girls,” I said, turning around. My gaze settled on Barrett and the surrounding girls.

His eyes collided with mine. Anger burned behind them. What was his problem?

“Well, they are pretty but not my type.”

My focus settled on the man in front of me. Blue eyes stared back. He was cute, definitely cute.

“Plus, I think you’re way more beautiful than those girls. I’m Tom.”

“Lourde.” I smiled. Maybe I could go through with this after all.

I didn’t know how long had passed when Connor appeared behind the cute guy. making me feel all fuzzy.

“Sis.”

“Heyyy, Connorrr,” I slurred. Did I have that much champagne? How hadn’t I noticed the other drink in front of me? Had he put that on the ledge of the balcony when he’d given me his jacket?

The fresh air was definitely not working to straighten me out as I’d hoped.

“And look, Barrett’s here too, and your bew… ti… ful women.”

“I don’t think she needs another drink.” Connor looked at what-was-his-name? Tim, Tom? I’d already forgotten.

“No, of course not. I didn’t realize she was your sister, Connor.”

“Sure you didn’t,” Barrett piped up.

“Go away, hunkholes!” I groaned.

“Hunkholes?” Barrett’s brunette laughed. “Is that what you just said?”

“Yeah, what’s it to you, social climber?”

“Lourde! Okay, someone needs to go to bed and sleep it off. Barrett, can you help Lourde to her room?”

Slutty girl, also known as Barrett’s date, glared at me, and I glared back.

“Jess, help me clear out everyone. Party’s over.” He turned to the leggy brunette in the skimpy dress next to him. “Sure, then what?” she asked, hopeful.

“You and your friend, Scarlett, can hang back with Barrett and me. Cool, Barrett?”

“Sure,” Barrett said, helping me out of the jacket.

What, so they could get laid, but I couldn’t?

“I’d like my friend to stay, too,” I said, fluttering my eyes at him seductively.

Barret balled the guy’s jacket and thrust it back into his chest.

“No!” Barrett and Connor said at the same time.

“Oh, another time then. I guess I’ll call you, Lourde,” he said.

“Sure,” my brother said sarcastically, then turned to Barrett.