Love, Lies, and Deception(27)

Would things have been different between us if we were both single when we met? I was attracted to him in the beginning, despite me being with Jason, but I let those feelings cool when I found out Kristian had a girlfriend.

“I know,” I agreed. “Would you have broken up with Natalie to be with me if I was single when we met?” My heart pounded out of my chest and my palms were getting sweaty. Did I really want to know the answer to that question?

Kristian opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off by putting my hand over his mouth. “Wait! Don’t answer that. I shouldn’t have asked that question, and I’m sorry. I was crossing the line there.”

He laughed and kissed me on the forehead. “Well, if you ever want to know the answer to that question you can always ask me again. We’re friends, Marissa, and nothing’s going to change that. I’ll always be here for you no matter what.”

When I leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, a familiar set of icy blue eyes stared at me over Kristian’s shoulder. Holy hell, what was he doing here? I wondered.

“Alec?” I asked, letting Kristian go. “What are you doing here?”

He glared at me before setting his lethal gaze onto Kristian. “I came because you invited me,” he remarked coldly.

Exasperated, I said, “Well, yes, but you said you couldn’t come.”

He shrugged noncommittally. “I changed my mind, but it looks like you must’ve forgotten your little reminder from the afternoon.” I gasped and immediately glanced at Kristian, hoping he wouldn’t know what Alec was talking about. Why was he so pissed at me?

Kristian bristled beside me and took my hand, pulling me into his side. “Are you ready to go?” he asked, clearly in protective mode.

Alec’s gaze stayed focused on me. “Not yet. I need to talk to Alec.”

Kristian’s jaw was clenched when I peered up at him, but he huffed and stalked away, heading for the bar. When my gaze returned to Alec he was fuming. “I thought you said you two were just friends,” he remarked. “It didn’t look that way on the dance floor.”

Shocked, my eyes went wide in disbelief. “So, you’ve been here almost the whole time. Why didn’t you come to me?”

“Because I wanted to see how you were with your friend,” he replied, matter-of-factly.

Throwing my hands up in the air, I groaned loudly. “How many times do I have to tell you that he’s just that … he’s just my friend? When I was dancing with him all I saw in my mind was you. You’re not an easy person to forget, Alec. You made it perfectly clear that I wouldn’t.”

“I don’t know. It looks like I need to remind you again.”

His jaw started to relax and he smirked. Pushing me gently against the wall, he caged me in with his muscular arms surrounding me. Leaning over, he kissed my neck and glided his lips across my collarbone. “I need you to know something, sunshine. When I see something I want, I get it. I don’t like to share if you know what I mean. After watching you tonight, I realized I can’t stand watching another man put his hands on you.”

Breathless, I whispered, “What are you saying?”

He kissed me hungrily on the lips, and I accepted it fully with no reservations, not caring who saw. “I’m saying that I want you to be mine. Now that I’ve had you, I need … more.”

I shuddered under his intense gaze, and almost found myself lost in his blue orbs. Challenging him, I responded boldly, “The only way you’re getting more of me is if I get more of you.”

Alec’s eyes grew wide and he smiled. “Why, Ms. Chase, I think you just challenged me.”

Rolling my eyes, I laughed and pushed him away gently. “So, are you up for it? All I need is honesty and the truth. It’s pretty simple.”

His smile slightly faded and he sighed. “I’ll do what I have to do.”

“Okay, so first things first, I need you to be honest and not worry about what I’m going to think about you. We’ll take baby steps … can you do that?” He nodded, so I continued and asked, “Why don’t you go to bars?”

He groaned and hung his head. “I tell you what … let me get you a drink and then I’ll tell you. Trust me, you might need more alcohol to help with the shock.”

I pursed my lips, and scowled halfheartedly. “You don’t know me very well, Mr. Holden. Believe me, it takes a lot to shock me. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to hit the restroom.”

As I turned to leave, he called out behind me. “What do you want to drink? I’ll order it and wait for you,” Alec offered.

“Rum and Coke,” I called out over my shoulder. I didn’t really have to use the bathroom, but I wanted a few minutes to myself. I wish Emily was in here so I could talk to her. What the hell was going on? Kristian got a hard on while dancing with me, and Alec showed up and got all possessive. Could anything more crazy happen tonight? I wondered.

Yes, it could.

As soon as I walked out of the bathroom, I spotted Alec at the bar with a female trying desperately to drape herself all over him. He was trying to pull her hands away, but she kept going back for more. I had to give him credit, though; he was visibly trying to make her go away.

I stalked over to them, and once I got there, I pushed her away and sat in his lap, kissing him fiercely. He wrapped his arms around my waist and returned my kiss with more heat, more passion. We heard her scoff behind us and stomp away.