More Than Lies (More Than #1)(38)

“Matt tells me you’re an English major like him.” Why on earth is Matt talking about me with this guy? I’ve never seen him before, and Matt doesn’t make friends that easily. He’s a lot like me in that regard, so I don’t understand how I’d even come up in a conversation.

“You need a drink,” Amanda announces. “Here.” I take the black solo cup she thrusts at me. Seriously, she is freaking me out here. She’s never nice to me. What is going on today? I turn back to the snake-like guy whose name I don’t even know. Nor care to know.

“I am,” I sputter. He smiles, which is a huge turn off. I take a sip of the beer that is clearly draft and definitely not Corona.

“Derrick here,” Matt says, tipping up his own cup before finishing, “is a sophomore this year.” I stop hearing Matt at that point, because frankly, I don’t care. I want my bath, and I want to remember the feel of warm lips on my skin. I take a large gulp of beer and relish in thoughts of Shawn’s kiss.

I don’t know what I could have done differently for him to continue. He seemed really into it, and heck, he’s the one that grabbed me and slammed me into the door. I don’t think I’ve ever been more turned on than in Mac’s office. I love being manhandled. Jared knows how to handle my body to get me off, but Shawn wasn’t even attempting to grant me a release and I was on the edge. A minute more of his erection pressed into me as his lips melded with mine, and I would have come.

I snap out of my thoughts as my empty cup is taken from my hand and replaced with a full one by dirty Derrick. I force a smile to thank him, even though I didn’t want another drink. At least not whatever’s in my cup. I have plenty of my own beer in the fridge and even tequila sitting on the counter. Those options would taste better, but I don’t complain. Instead, I bring the cup to my lips and sip. Maybe the more I drink the more I’ll stop questioning what happened back at Mac’s.

Did I do something wrong or turn him off?

Should I have done something differently or felt him up the way he was doing me?

I don’t know. It all happened so fast, and in the blink of an eye it all stopped.

I look around the kitchen when I take another pull of liquid into my mouth. Unease settles into my gut. Matt and Amanda aren’t in the room. No one is; it’s just Derrick and me. The back door is open, and I hear voices coming from the deck area.

I look down at my cup that is still half full. Shoot. Screw it. I lift it to my lips and tilt the cup all the way back, letting the beer flow into my mouth and down my throat, drinking it like it’s a shot of tequila.

Definitely not the same.

I breathe out and then wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

I shake my head to clear the dizziness that I’m sure is caused by gulping down half a cup of beer. I blink and offer him a smile.

“Well—” I begin, but he doesn’t let me finish. Derrick shoves another cup into my hand and latches onto my elbow. My skin is crawling so much from his touch that I want to rip it from his grasp and scratch the area.

What is wrong with me? Why am I being so . . . judgmental?

Hell, I don’t know. I just want to go lie down. I really need to lie down.

“You can’t call it a night yet. We haven’t gotten to know each other, and I want to get to know you, Taralynn.”

I take a quick sip, maybe more than a sip and sit the plastic cup onto the granite countertop of the island in the center of the kitchen. I offer another smile.

“I’m really tired,” I explain. His fingers press into my skin. “I’m sure I’ll see you again. My roommates are always having people over on the weekends.” He’s digging into my skin now and my eyes start to get hazy. That feeling in my gut is increasing. My fight or flight instincts kick in, and I can tell you now I don’t have a whole lot of fight.

Which is why I yank away from his grip and take off in the direction of the living room in hope of finding Matt or even Mason.

I’m scared even though I don’t know what’s wrong, but I do know something isn’t right.

I don’t know why, but I have a very bad feeling.





CHAPTER TEN





SHAWN





Walking in the front door, I exhale the breath I’ve been holding. The scream of Five Finger Death Punch hits me as I start kicking out of my boots. Not even good music can settle my nerves at this point. I didn’t make it past the parking lot at Level before I turned the ignition back on and headed back to Mac’s, only to learn Tara went home before the end of her shift. Evidently the moment we had in Mac’s office threw her for a loop, too.

Her car is here, but that doesn’t mean anything. She could be at Jared’s for all I know. I certainly don’t want her to be at that jackass’ house. I don’t know what I’m going to say to her or how to excuse my behavior, but I’ve got to see her, right now. Running my palm through my hair, I take a deep breath and force my legs to move.

When I enter the living room, there is an array of people sitting around. Mason and a few guys are standing in front of the flat screen, drinking beer, watching a basketball game and shooting the shit. Amanda and two other chicks that she probably brought with her from Starkville are on the couch chatting. Matt’s walking off from her, but pauses when he sees me heading his way. He’s got a scowl on his face and looks highly irritated. Amanda can do that to people. Why he’s still with her, I haven’t a clue. He’s been dating that bitch since sophomore year of school. Pretty sure that’s the only piece of ass he’s ever had, which might be the reason why he’s still with her.