Alcohol You Later (25)

“My God… That was…intense.” My legs turn to Jell-O, threatening to fall out from under me. I droop against the brick behind us, practically panting as the buzz Nicholas just ignited ripples over me in agonizing waves. My voice has become so heady with desire, I hardly recognize it as my own. With as much discretion as I can manage, I slip a hand between my thighs to be sure I haven’t sprung a leak.

Korie’s eyes morph into twin flames. “Tell me you do not have a sex toy vibrating in your vagina as we speak.”

“Fine,” I say, still squirming as I attempt to regain my wits. “I won’t tell you.”

“I quit you, Raven Winters.” She shakes her head but is powerless to contain her smile despite how hard she’s clearly trying. “You’ve just officially become too much.”

“Stop it.” I roll my eyes dramatically. “You know you love me.”

“That may be true,” the lanky blonde snips, lacing her arm through mine before yanking me from the wall, “but I’m not happy about it.”

I’m wobbly on my feet, the pulse still thrumming at my center, impossible to ignore as it radiates through every cell of my being. I’m lit up like a Christmas tree, and I fear just as conspicuous.

“Come on, let’s go get some drinks.” Her puckered expression as she studies my face says that I’m doing a shit job of concealing my horniness.

Without further ado, Korie pulls me forward, snorting on a laugh. “I have a feeling you’ll need a buzz to get through tonight.”

“A buzz?” I sputter, laughing so hard I have tears welling in my eyes.

She ogles my midsection as if it’s possessed by demons and gags. “Disgusting.”

“That was good, right?” I snicker into her shoulder.

I feel loopy and giddy…high from this game Nick and I are playing.

Reaching back, I lightly finger the words that are now forever scripted on my neck and smile. He does keep me wild. And for someone like myself, who’s never been meek or mild to begin with, that says a lot. Nicholas not only keeps up with my crazy but surpasses it at every turn. I’ve become addicted to his wicked ways.

“He’s my cousin, asshole.”

“Sucks for you.” I give my brows an exaggerated waggle. “You’re missing out, Kor.”

Her body shudders. “It only sucks for me because he happens to be fucking my best friend, and I can’t seem to escape constant discussion of his…his…pork sword.” Her pale cheeks flame with embarrassment.

“That’s because he wields it so well.” I fist my free hand around a very well-endowed ghost peen and make a slashing motion in her direction. “On guard!”

“I fucking hate you.”

Biting back a laugh, I decide to shut my trap before blondie here murders my ass as we wind through the dense crowd with the help of a few members of the guys’ security detail. They guide us toward the circular bar in the back of the establishment, oblivious to the two of us throwing elbows at each other the whole way.

Once we arrive, they very indiscreetly clear an entire section just for us. I swear, not a soul had any clue who we were until they made such a scene. Now everyone’s gawking and staring.

And I’m fighting the urge to give them all the finger. My deep-seated fear of Anika, however, ensures I’ll never do anything that stupid again.

“I don’t know how you put up with this day in and day out.” With a shake of my head, I school my features, focusing my eyes anywhere but on the mob across from us.

Korie casually drums her hands on the wood top to grab the attention of one of the workers. She’s so unbothered, like she doesn’t see the girls snarling at her from mere feet away. A great many of Rhett’s admirers never forgave her for snatching him off the market.

Like they ever even stood a chance.

“You’ll get used to it.” She twists her head so her eyes connect with mine.

I snort. “I’m the fucking babysitter, remember?” I keep my growl low so no one else overhears. “After tonight I’ll be locked away like Rapunzel in her tower.”

“Two cosmos,” my friend orders when the noticeably starstruck bartender makes his way over. “Extra strong,” she adds, passing him her black card.

The guy eyes her nervously. “No offense, Mrs. Taylor, but should you be drinking in your condition?”

She spits out a laugh. “No—no I should not.” Korie dips her head toward me. “But she…” the little minx starts, hooking a thumb my way, “She definitely should.”

“Gotcha.” He clucks his tongue, tapping the credit card on the bar twice before heading off to make my drinks.

As if perfectly timed, he returns just as the band begins to formally take the stage.

Not wanting to miss their grand entrance, we post up against the railing to take it all in from a different view. When Nick’s hands rise above his head, beating those sticks four times in rapid succession, the crowd goes absolutely wild. And my chest swells with an overwhelming sense of pride.

“Fuck, he’s gorgeous,” I mutter to myself.

“Runs in the family.” Korie nudges me with her shoulder.

I ogle her sexy little body. “Damn right it does.”

“Girl, you can’t be looking at me like that in public. You just gave me butterflies in my vagi—” Her voice cuts off when I buckle at the knees, sloshing liquor all over myself.