A SEAL's Courage (Military Match #1)(19)
His heart sank into his boots. Damn. He’d hoped she’d cooled off, that their chat earlier had somehow gotten to her, but clearly she was still upset with him. He ached to take her in his arms and cradle her against his chest. Or kiss her soft mouth. If only to make her stop looking at him like that.
None of which he could do, especially with Mandy standing right there. He still needed to clear the air with Lauren, though. He was going to fix his screw up or die trying.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked over at Mandy. “Mind if I have a moment with her?”
When Mandy frowned, looking between him and Lauren in confusion, his gut knotted. Way to go. Might as well just tell her you have the hots for her best friend.
Scrambling to come up with a better reason, he quickly added, “I have a present for her, and I’d like to talk to her about a good time to bring it by.”
Then he held his breath and waited. No doubt she’d see right through his lousy excuse.
To his complete surprise, though, Mandy nodded, then turned to touch Lauren’s arm. “I’ll be inside if you need me.”
He waited, watching until Mandy disappeared into the ballroom again, before leaning against the wall beside Lauren. “I hate when you’re mad at me.”
Lauren didn’t say anything, and tension mounted in the air between them. Just when he was sure she’d taken to giving him the silent treatment, her shoulders drooped.
“I’m not mad. I feel like a fool, truth be told.” She pulled her lower lip into her mouth, gnashing at one corner, darted a glance at him, then blew out a heavy breath. “I should never have made you that offer.”
“That takes courage, you know. To ask for what you want.”
She let out a harsh laugh. “It’s only courageous when the guy kisses you back. When he doesn’t, it’s just pathetic.”
He had kissed her back. Had wanted to do a hell out of a lot more, too. Like slip his hands beneath her T-shirt for the need to feel her breasts. To hear her moan and sigh and shiver.
Not that he could tell her that, either.
Lauren dropped her gaze to her feet, wrapped her arms around herself, and shook her head. “That jackass you chased off didn’t help any. It took me a couple of drinks to realize the iced tea he’d been getting me wasn’t tea at all.”
“Ah. Long Island Iced Tea. Wicked stuff.” All alcohol, with a little cola for color and taste. When made the right way, the drink tasted exactly like tea and packed a hell of a punch because it went down like Kool-Aid. The asshole had fed her something he’d known damn well would knock a lightweight on her ass. Trent clenched his jaw. He should have decked the jerk while he had the chance.
“Exactly. When he followed me out here, I realized I was in over my head tonight. I wanted to have to fun, to let loose a little, and I have, but that jerk made me wonder what the hell I was doing. I’m not this person. I don’t drink this much. I don’t wear heels or dresses, let alone ones like this.” She waved a hand over herself, indicating her outfit, then rolled her eyes. “And I can’t flirt to save my life.”
He wanted to tell her how wrong she was. Lauren didn’t need to flirt. She had a warmth and realness about her that drew people, him included. When she laughed, it was honest and open, and any fool within miles turned to smile with her. “You seemed to be doing fine to me.”
“Because I let Mandy and Steph fill me with false bravado. Alcohol helps.” She let out a harsh laugh full of bitter self-reproach. “It’s ironic, really. I decided two weeks ago I wanted to finally lose my virginity. That I’d step outside my comfort zone and live in the moment. That jackass would have gladly taken it, too, right there in the bathroom. I guess it just proves that at least some men are willing to sleep with me. Even if they are the wrong ones.”
He jerked his gaze to hers, unable to hide the irritation sizzling along his nerve endings. “Did he tell you that? That he’d take you in the bathroom?”
“No. He invited me to his place, but he was so pushy I have no doubt had I invited him to do it in the bathroom, he’d have taken me up on it. Which isn’t how I’d always envisioned my first time.” She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes, looking tired and defeated. “All I want now is to go home, but I hate the thought of disappointing Mandy and Steph. They went through a lot of trouble for me.”
“Mandy’s not upset. I think she’s just worried about you. I can take you home if you want.” He nudged her playfully with an elbow. “We can sneak down to the elevator before anybody realizes you’re gone.”
Lauren opened her eyes, her gaze soft but full of something he couldn’t quite reach. She shook her head and shifted her gaze to something beyond him. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
He straightened off the wall and turned to her. “You didn’t. I offered. And I don’t mind. Think you can manage to stay on the bike?”
She let out a quiet laugh and reached up to rub her temples. “I seriously doubt it. The damn floor has slanted on me.”
“I’ll go get the keys to Will’s Beamer. I’ll just tell Mandy and Steph you’re sick and want to go home.” He touched her shoulder, then moved around her, heading back into the party.
Chapter Five