Strings of the Heart (Runaway Train #3)(68)

When I jerked back and widened my eyes in shock, he laughed. “Sadly, it’s the truth. But since I’m working on being more of a gentleman, I’ll refrain from thinking that about you. Instead, why don’t you let me take you out?”

“On a date?”

“Yep, a real date, just the two of us. Dinner and a movie or dinner and a club—whatever you want.”

I stared into his twinkling blue eyes. He really was a decent guy, not to mention the fact he was so handsome. If given the chance, he would really be good for me. Even though I wasn’t feeling as much as I should for him, it was time for me to give someone else a real shot and try to forget about whatever it was that Rhys and I once had. Even if I had to fake it for a little while.

With a groan, Eli mused, “You’re killing me here. I don’t think I’ve ever had to work so hard for a date.”

I grinned. “I’m sorry for bruising your gigantic ego by playing a little hard to get.”

“You’ve more than bruised my ego—I think you dented it.”

“The answer is yes. I would love to go on a date with you.”

Eli’s blue eyes lit up. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“I’m glad you asked me.”

“You’re welcome.” Before I realized what was happening, Eli’s hands dipped down to rest above my ass, pressing me harder against him. And then in the next moment, Eli’s lips were on mine. He seemed to have completely misinterpreted my agreeing to go on a date with him. While I was in total shock that he had kissed me, I also didn’t feel a single zap of electricity like I had with Rhys.

I jerked back. “Eli, I thought we were taking this slow,” I protested.

He gave me a pouty, puppy-dog look. “You mean I don’t even get a kiss? I thought it was pretty tame after telling you I wanted to screw your brains out.”

His expression and comment caused me to laugh in spite of myself. “It’s a little too soon for a kiss.”

“I’m sorry, Allison,” he said, genuinely.

I opened my mouth to tell him it was okay when a commotion behind me interrupted us. With an expression of pure fury, Rhys appeared beside us.

“Get your damn hands off of her!” Rhys growled. All at once, his hand was around my arm, and he was pulling me away from Eli.

“What the f**k, dude?” Eli questioned.

Rhys shook his head. “What the hell do you think you’re doing groping her and kissing her?”

Eli narrowed his eyes at Rhys. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she answered to you.”

“I don’t,” I countered.

Ignoring Eli, Rhys turned his wrath-filled gaze on me. He closed the gap between us. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, letting him run his hands all over you?”

Standing toe to toe with him, I snapped, “You’re not Jake, or my father, so you can’t even begin to try to tell me what I can or can’t do!”

“No, but I’m pretty sure Jake would be appalled that you’re acting like a cheap whore!”

“Fuck you, Rhys!” I spat, planting my hands on his hard pecs and shoving him away from me. I stalked past him and Eli off the dance floor. When I stomped up to our table, Gabe stared wide-eyed at me. “Give me my purse,” I demanded.

He didn’t bothering arguing with me or calling me out for my attitude. He just thrust my purse at me. “Thank you.”

It was only after I escaped into the VIP bathroom that my adrenaline began to fade. Gripping the sides of the marble sink, I let Rhys’s words pierce further and further into me until it felt like a jagged hole had been cut through my heart. He hadn’t fought for me because he wanted me—he’d fought because he believed I was acting like a whore. He continued seeing me as only a little sister—not someone he wanted to date or be with.

The bathroom door flew open, and Rhys stormed in. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, I shook my head. “I have nothing left to say to you, so leave me alone.”

“No.”

Whirling around, I narrowed my eyes at him. “Excuse me?”

“I said no.”

I threw up my hands. “Fine, I concede; you win. Does that make you happy?” When he started to open his mouth, I shook my head furiously from side to side. “Don’t you f**king dare say ‘no’ again!”

“I didn’t come in here to gloat.”

“Then what did you come for?” When he cocked his brows at me, I demanded, “What do you want from me, Rhys?”

“Everything.” He strode across the room to me. “I want to take everything you’ll give me and more.” Grabbing my arm, he jerked me into the handicapped stall. My body slammed back against the metal wall. My whimper of pain died on my lips as Rhys pressed his body against mine. The hardness of his erection burned into my thigh. Gripping my hips, he tugged me closer against him. His fingers closed over one of my thighs before bringing it up over his. It gave him the perfect angle to rub his erection against my core. I moaned, clawing desperately at him to get more friction.

“Why are you doing this now?” I demanded.

Rhys shook his head. “I don’t f**king know. I just know that I couldn’t bear sitting in that booth one more minute and letting Eli have everything I wanted.”