Fighting Fate (Fighting #7)(34)

“Killian.” Brynn tugs my arm for me to lean down. “Where do you think we’ll find the keg?”

My palm itches pressed to hers, and as much as I want to shake her off, I don’t want to look like an *.

I lean in to speak in her ear to be heard over the music. “Outside would be my guess.”

She flutters her eyelashes and grins. “Mind grabbing us a couple of drinks?”

My gaze darts back to Axelle, who hasn’t moved an inch, but is no longer looking my way, her eyes now unfocused on the people in front of her. I squeeze Brynn’s hand before pulling mine free. “Sure. Give me a second?”

Her eyebrows drop in concern before Ryder’s date sidles up beside her. “I need to hit the bathroom, but there’s no way I’m going alone.”

“We’re going to run to the bathroom and meet you back here?” Brynn tilts her head, searching for something in my expression.

“Yeah, meet you back here.”

She pushes up on her toes, headed straight for my mouth.

Oh f*ck, f*ck, f*ck.

Thinking quickly, I dip down and press a chaste kiss to her forehead. She drops back, blinking, then flashes an awkward smile before being dragged off.

Once she disappears into the hallway, I turn toward Axelle, whose gaze darts between me and the floor. I push through the crowd and the makeshift dance floor, until I’m standing toe-to-toe with her.

Her outfit, hair, and makeup are the complete opposite of my date tonight. Whereas Brynn is dressed like a sweet temptation, Axelle’s look is tempting, but more of the deadly variety.

Her eyes snap to mine and tighten into a glare. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s a party, Ax. Why wouldn’t I be here?”

She huffs and studies the beer bottle in her hand. “Perfect. Icing on the shit cake that is my night.”

I step closer to get her to look at me. “What happened tonight?”

She cocks a hip and stares up at me. “Why do you care?”

I motion to where I saw Clifford drinking earlier. “Awfully generous of you to share your date tonight.”

Anger flickers behind her sapphire eyes. “First off, he’s no longer my date. He’s no longer my anything.”

That sends me back a step. He broke up with her? On Valentine’s Day? What an *! No wonder she looks like she’s about to rip someone’s throat out.

“I’m sorry. I—”

“Don’t be.” She shrugs. “I’m not.”

“Ax, but today? He had to break up with you today of all days?”

She steps in close, and it’s then I notice she’s steady on her feet, her beer bottle is full and looks warm, and her breath smells like mint gum rather than booze. She pokes me in the chest. “I broke up with him. He doesn’t know it yet, but it’s been over for close to three hours now, and I’d leave here, but I have nowhere to go. I promised Mindy the apartment for the night, and I can’t go to my mom’s house because walking in at midnight will get me the third degree, and I can’t f*ck their night up either, seeing as Valentine’s Day is just as f*cked a day for them as it is for us.”

Us. My chest warms and I resist the urge to pull her into my arms.

“So I’m waiting until the sun comes up. I’m going to stand right here”—she shoves a finger toward the floor—“until the sun comes up, and then I’m walking away from Clifford and never looking back.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“No.”

“Don’t f*cking lie to me.”

“Why are you here?”

“I already told you. It’s a party…and…” I wanted to see you.

Her shoulders collapse as if the fight has been completely drained from her. “Just leave, Killian. Please. You guys could be anywhere tonight. Do you have to be here?”

“You don’t want me here?”

“It’s not that; it’s…” She steps back to lean against the wall, and I follow and press in close so she has to tilt her head back to look up at me. “Did you have to bring her here?”

My blood thunders through my veins at the meaning behind her words. She’s jealous. Which means she feels more for me than friendship, right? Is it possible that seeing me with another girl is forcing her to confront her feelings? “You don’t like seeing me with her?” She dips her chin, but I catch it with my fingertips and bring her eyes back to mine. “Answer me, Axelle.”

Her eyes glisten, but her jaw is hard. “I hate it.”

For a stunned second, I simply stare, forcing myself to acknowledge and absorb her words. I clear my throat and lean in to speak directly in her ear. “What do you want, baby?”

Her breath catches so sharply it swells her chest, and the tips of her breasts brush against me. A low growl of satisfaction rumbles in my throat, and I flex my fingers against the wall to keep from shoving them into her hair and kissing her.

She hasn’t answered my question, but her breathing has sped up.

“I need to hear you say it.”

She shoves me back, her head turned to the side, and when I follow her gaze, I see Brynn pushing through the crowd toward us. Fuckin’ hell.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to calm my racing pulse, and I’m thankful it’s dark so no one can see my raging hard-on.