Always Have: A Bad Boy Romance(46)

Everyone is in costume. I think half the women went to the same section at the costume store—I see a sexy nurse, sexy cop, sexy French maid (although, is there any other kind?), sexy librarian. Some tall chick I don’t know is a Playboy bunny. The guys are dressed up as everything from superheroes and vampires to a dude in a scary clown costume who I wish would just leave already.

I f*cking hate clowns.

I went all-out, too, with an old-school Wonder Woman costume. I’m not really tall enough, but I do have the long, dark hair. And hell, my boobs look amazing in this thing. I have the strapless bodysuit, knee high boots, and I even have a gold whip tied at my hip. It’s kind of kinky. I picked it because Braxton will be here, and he’ll have to look at me in this thing all night—without touching me.

Of course, my plan to spend the evening teasing him would work a lot better if he were actually here.

I know he’s coming. I saw him a few hours ago. But I went back to my apartment to change so he wouldn’t see my costume before the party. I’ve been here for a while, sipping a weird purple drink that’s dangerously good, and I haven’t seen any sign of him.

Selene is rocking a smoking hot witch getup, with a tiny black skirt that shows off her crazy long legs, and a corset with a sparkling silver spider webs all over it. Her lips are deep red, and she has long false eyelashes that make her look pretty wicked. She’s hanging out with a few people she must know from work, because I’m not sure who they are. It’s good to see her having fun. She bounced back from Matthew pretty well—I think it helped that she knew the end was coming. I hope she listens to me and tries to find a guy who isn’t such a player next time. Selene’s f*cking amazing—she deserves someone great.

A wave seems to ripple through the party and I glance toward the front door to see what’s going on. People step aside, and in walks Braxton.

That f*cker. He totally one-upped me.

He’s dressed as Magic Mike, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans and a tie, showing off his broad chest and rippling abs. His skin glistens, and his jeans sit low, revealing the top of that delicious V.

I clench my thighs together against the rush of heat. My panties are instantly drenched.

At least half the party stares at him. The Playboy Bunny girl almost drops her drink, her mouth hanging open. Even the guy she was talking to watches him open-mouthed. Braxton catches my eye, one corner of his mouth turning up in a smirk.

I’m going to kill him.

I make a show of looking away, and take a sip of my drink. I watch him from the corner of my eye. He says hi to a few people, making his way toward his sister.

Selene points at him and laughs when she catches sight of him. He goes in to hug her and she balks, pushing him away.

“Hey, looks like we belong together.”

I turn to find a guy in a Superman costume smiling at me.

“What?”

“Wonder Woman,” he says, gesturing at my costume.

“Oh, right, Superman,” I say.

“That’s a great look on you,” he says.

Uh-oh. I didn’t even think about what to do if a guy hit on me. Brax and I are still on the down-low, and we’re not about to go public in the middle of Selene’s party. I glance in Braxton’s direction, but he’s still talking to Selene.

“Thanks,” I say, looking away so I don’t appear interested.

“Can I get you another drink?” he asks.

“Oh, no thanks, I’m good.” I hold up my half-full cup.

He steps closer. “I’m Paul. Care to give up your secret identity?”

Man of Steel here is not getting the hint, but I don’t want to be rude. “Kylie.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Kylie,” he says. He holds out a hand and I take it. He starts to shake, then brings the backs of my fingers up to his lips and kisses my hand.

I snatch my hand back. “Paul, it’s very nice to meet you, but—”

Paul’s eyes widen, and I stop mid-sentence. Someone is suddenly standing very close behind me, and I don’t have to turn around to know who it is.

“Hey, Kylie,” Braxton says. His hand brushes my ass and I try not to gasp. He’s standing so close that I feel a little dizzy.

“Hi, Braxton,” I say, barely resisting the urge to run my hands all over his abs.

Braxton shifts so he’s next to me and stares at my boobs, making zero attempt to hide what he’s doing. “Holy shit, you look hot as f*ck in that thing.”

My mouth drops open. Does he not remember we’re supposed to keep this quiet?

“Um, wow,” Paul says. “Kylie and I were having a conversation here.”

Braxton looks over at Paul, then back at me. “Shit, I can’t compete with Superman. You two have fun.” He quirks an eyebrow at me and saunters away.

I watch him go, my mouth still hanging open.

“Who the f*ck was that guy?” Paul says.

I can’t stop staring at Braxton’s ass in those jeans. “What? Oh, that’s Braxton. He’s Selene’s brother.”

“Kind of a dick, isn’t he?” Paul asks.

I laugh, my eyes still on Brax. “You have no idea.”

Paul looks back and forth between Braxton and me a couple of times, then shakes his head and walks away.

A girl in a purple genie costume walks up to Braxton. I take a sip of my drink, trying to pretend like I’m not watching them. He smiles at her, but angles his body away when she tries to move closer. His eyes dart to me and I arch one eyebrow. His shoulders tense up, and he rubs the back of his neck. He shoots another quick glance in my direction.