Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(3)

“I know, don't you love them?”

“You're a genius Breanna.” I looked at my smoky lids, and even thicker eyelashes making my eyes look like dark thunderstorm clouds.

“Well it's pretty easy when the model has your face and body. Mind if I steal your lips and eyes for the night?”

I laughed but was still mesmerized by my new reflection. “I can honestly say I've never worn anything like this, and this is my first time ever having make-up on.”

“Are you serious?” She looked appalled.

“My dad is a career Marine. I've never even touched make-up. Hell, I haven't even been to a mall.” I giggled when her face dropped to one of horror.

“I guess this means you won't be opposed to me taking you shopping tomorrow then?”

“If you can make me look this good for a simple party, I'd let you pick out all my outfits.”

She squealed and clapped, turning to grab her clutch. “Yay! Okay, let's go snag a couple guys.”

I stopped walking, eyes wide. I don't know how to talk to a normal guy, let alone snag one. “Uh, I'm not exactly great with the opposite sex. Like, I've never had a boyfriend or anything.”

“Whoa, what?!”

“What part of Marine for a father didn't you understand? I don't think I've ever even talked to a guy that wasn’t a Marine.”

“Okay, timeout. Are you being serious? Have you ever been kissed?” She gasped when my lips pressed into a hard line. “Oh honey, I promise to fix at least that by the end of tonight.”

My cheeks flamed as I quickly followed her out to her shiny graduation present of a car.

***

“HEY BREE!”

“Hi Drew.” Breanna hugged an already intoxicated looking guy that opened the door. “Drew this is my new roomie Harper, Harper this is Drew.”

“Nice to meet you.” I mumbled. Before I knew what was happening I was being lifted up in a bear hug. I gasped but refrained the urge to kick him.

“Always a pleasure to have fresh meat here.” He said with a wink before putting me down.

“Easy tiger, she's off limits to you!” She mock glared and poked him in the chest.

“Aww, come on Bree, don't be a cock block.”

Raising an eyebrow I almost smiled at him. He wasn't even attractive and was holding a blow up doll.

“Nu-uh, no one that lives in this house is allowed to touch her. I know how you all are. So play nice, kay?”

Drew grumbled and walked away to refill his plastic cup. Breanna leaned in to speak in my ear, “I'm not gonna lie and tell you they aren't all like that, practically every guy that lives in this house is just as bad as him, and most of the guys that will be here tonight are too. I'll tell you who's safe and who isn't.”

I smiled at her, “Thanks Bree, I'll owe you.” Not that I needed her to tell me to stay away from guys like him. Sir let me around the Marines not only because they were like the brothers I never had, but he knew I would never end up falling for someone who would talk like that in front of a girl.

She scrunched her brows together and teased me, “Duh. Want a drink?”

Agreeing, I walked with her to a group hovered around one of the kegs. After getting a beer and forcing half the cup down to get the bad taste over with as fast as possible, I followed her out to the back yard to meet more people. I don't remember most their names, but I got picked up and carried around more times than I cared to count, and was gawked at by every guy I met. Bree assured me it was because I looked good, but I was already wishing I'd worn a sweatshirt and jeans and cursing my tiny frame. Breanna seemed so at ease with the way guys were touching her and raking their eyes over us, and I didn't understand how she could do it. I no longer felt beautiful, I felt exactly like what Drew called me. Meat. I was halfway through my second beer of the night when I was pulled onto the dance floor by Bree and a few others.

I'd never felt so out of place in my life. Just watching the way these people were groping each other was making my cheeks burn, I tried to follow Bree's lead but I ended up just stumbling around from people rubbing up against me. I turned my head to see the most recent encounter and found myself being glared at by the most beautiful blue eyes I'd ever seen. Taking in the rest of him I could see I'd gotten in the way of his dry humping with a busty blonde and tried to quickly move away. Pointing to the kitchen when Bree tried to stop me, I slowly made my way through the packed bodies and out of the living room.

“What's up Harper?”

I turned to see Drew standing beside me. “Uh, nothing. Just had to get out of that.” I said pointing over my shoulder.

“You don't like to dance?”

You call that dancing? “Not really my thing.”

Drew put an arm on each side of me trapping me against the counter and pressing his body into mine. “Is there anything else I can I interest you in?”

Not you. “Is there a bathroom I can use?”

As soon as I asked, a bunch of guys started chanting and I turned to see what the fuss was about. My eyes about bulged out of my head when I did. The same guy I'd last bumped into on the dance floor was now taking shots out of a girl with fiery red hair’s mouth, running his tongue and lips all over her neck and chest between each one. When he sprinkled more salt on her, I realized why he’d been licking her. After the third one he looked right into my eyes and winked before putting his mouth to the fourth glass. I shook my head and didn't even wait for Drew to respond, I went off to find the bathroom on my own. After opening the doors on two couples having sex, I finally started asking more people where to find one. Once I got in, I locked the door and tried to calm myself. I may have heard disgusting stories from my brothers trying to get a rise out of me when I was young, but hearing it and seeing it are two completely different things.