Slow Play (The Rules #3)(9)

He leans in close, his lips parted. I see the flash of a white, square mint in his mouth and I wonder when he popped it. “What did you say? I can’t hear you.” His lips are right at my ear, so close I can feel his warm breath.

Someone walks by us, jostling me right into Tristan and we collide, my hand coming up to rest against his chest. His heart seems to throb beneath my palm, steady and fast and I look up at him, no doubt offering him a glimpse of the surprise and wonder that I know is filling my gaze. “I asked where Kelli is,” I yell at him.

He smiles. God, he’s so warm. And attractive. Scarily attractive. He smells faintly of soap, the outdoors and a whiff of cigarette smoke. It’s an intoxicating combination, as surprising as that is. His hand somehow returns to my lower back, fingers splayed, palm pressed firmly. I try to step away but there’s nowhere else for me to go unless I want to run directly into his chest.

This is clearly a no-win—or win-win—situation.

“She texted me. Said she was running late but she’ll be here soon.” He dips his head, his mouth at my ear again and I swear I feel his lips brush against my skin. “She didn’t tell you?”

I drop my hand from his chest and reach for my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans. Yep, there’s a text from Kelli, begging for forgiveness and saying she was running late.

She’s going to have to do some major begging, leaving me here with Tristan alone.

“You want something to drink?” he asks. I nod. “Like what?”

“Surprise me,” I tell him, yelling so I can be heard over the crowd.

His hand falls from my back and he starts to walk away but I grab him, my fingers circling around his thick wrist. He turns to look back at me in surprise, his gaze dropping to where I touch him before returning to mine.

“Just don’t drug my drink,” I warn him, feeling foolish for saying the words out loud. Not that I think he would do that, but I don’t really know him. And there’s enough stories floating around campus about guys taking advantage of girls by slipping something in their drinks without their knowledge, let alone all of the national stories regarding the same topic.

He turns his hand up, flexing his wrist and his fingers curling so I have no choice but to watch as my hand slides into his. “I would never do that to you,” he yells solemnly.

I didn’t realize someone could actually yell in a solemn manner but Tristan just proved he can.

“Thanks,” I say, giving a tug so he releases his grip on my hand.

“Stay right here,” he commands before he turns and heads for the bar.

I watch him go, noticing the girls in the vicinity who watch him too. He stops and talks to one girl, then another, then a group of guys who all yell his name as he approaches and I realize he’s extremely popular. Everyone knows him and he greets them as if they’re all life long friends. He draws people like a magnet, girls and guys alike as if his magnetism can’t be contained.

A pretty brunette approaches him, her long, cascading waves looking straight out of a shampoo commercial. She wraps her arms around his neck, presses her body fully against his and kisses him straight on the mouth.

He doesn’t push her away either.

I curl my hands into fists as I watch them, trying my best to fight off the waves of jealousy that threaten. I shouldn’t care. I’m not here for Tristan, to impress Tristan, none of that. He’s not good for me. I’ve had enough toxic relationships to last a lifetime. I don’t need to add another one to the mix.

“Who’s the f*cking brunette?”

I recognize Kelli’s voice and almost cry with relief when I realize she’s standing right next to me. For a moment there I thought I imagined her saying that. “I don’t know,” I tell her, my gaze never leaving Tristan and the girl. She’s still kissing him and the bastard is letting her. “She just sort of grabbed him and hasn’t let go.”

“What a waste of my time,” she mutters, shaking her head. “Now I’ll have to get my own beer.”

“What are you talking about?” I turn to look at her.

“Oh, you didn’t figure it out yet? Tristan asked me to wait a solid fifteen minutes after you got here before I made my appearance.” My mouth drops open in shock and she smirks. “I told you he was an *. I think he believed he could convince you to drop your panties in less than fifteen minutes. I don’t know if that speaks to his extraordinary convincing skills or the fact that he fully planned on getting you to drop your panties in less than fifteen minutes, so I’m not sure if you should be insulted or not.”

“Are you serious?” I look at him one more time—that brunette has sunk her claws into him, without a doubt because she’s still gripping him tight—and my vision goes hazy. A little red on the edges.

God, I could murder him with my bare hands right now. This guy is so freaking arrogant.

“As a heart attack. He wants you. I’ve seen him in action before. Once he sets his sights, he’ll do anything to get you.”

“Well, he’s not going to. Get me,” I add when she just looks at me with her doubt-filled eyes. “What, I’m serious! I’m not interested in him like that.”

Kelli’s admission just cured me of that particular problem, thank you very much.

This girl is like an octopus. She won’t keep her damn hands off me. “Layla, please. You need to stop.”