Folsom (End of Men, #1)(15)

“You liked fucking?” he asks. “Which part?”

He’s teasing me. I don’t like how vulnerable it makes me feel.

“The part where you put it in all the way to the part where you took it out. Well, I didn’t like the part where you took it out, but you know what I mean.”

He has a weird look in his eyes as he watches me. A little smile plays on his lips.

“The women are starting to circle,” I say suddenly. “I’m surprised they’ve been as accommodating as they have, but it’s going to blow in a moment, mark my words.”

Folsom glances at them warily.

I look around and ask, “Is it like this everywhere you go?” I’m shocked he seems so calm. I’d lose my mind if I were being stared at like bait all the time.

“Normally it’s much worse. There’s more restraint in the Red Region than I’ve seen in a while…maybe ever. I don’t want to push it, though. Walk me out?”

“Hmm. I might be wobbly.” I shift my legs to the side of the barstool and set my feet on the ground. It swims a little but then goes into focus. “Not bad.”

He shakes his head and holds out his arm for me to take and I grip it hard. Jo, one of the bouncers I know, motions for us to follow her. We go out a side door and walk down the long hall. Jo points to the exit sign above the back door and Folsom thanks her.

The sun is just starting its descent and the night sky is blue slashed with pinks and purples. I twirl around in a circle, taking in the color.

“Don’t tell me you’re dancing now,” he says.

“Look up,” I tell him, pointing at the sky.

He does and stops walking, making me barrel into the back of him. He steadies me and then drops his hand to his side, still looking at the sky.

“It’s beautiful here,” he says quietly. He turns to me. “You’re fortunate to be here. Are you aware of what it’s like in the other Regions?”

“Only what I’ve heard. I haven’t been anywhere else…I pretty much live in the lab. Tell me what it’s like.”

He shakes his head. “And further wreck your ‘hell of a day’? I might be an asshole, but I’m not that bad,” he says.

“Ready to go, Mr. Donahue?”

I turn around and notice his driver for the first time. She looks nervous and I wonder if he’s supposed to be here—better yet, where is his security?

“Five more minutes, Sera,” he says.

She nods and walks back to the car, pacing with her hands in her pockets.

He turns to me. “Come to the party with me.”

“What? No. Are you serious?”

“I’m always serious.”

The laughter bursts from my throat before I can stop it.

His eyes roam down my neck and to the cleavage that shows when the wind catches my dress just so.

“Let’s go,” he says like it’s already decided.

It’s probably asking for more anguish to get to know Folsom any better. Nothing good can come out of it, only more confusion. But how can I refuse him? I get into the back of the car with him.

“I wish I could at least freshen up,” I say, looking down at my dress.

He’s sitting surprisingly close and when he turns toward me, my eyes are drawn to his lips. My face flushes when I think of all he did with that mouth.

“Did you shower after I left?” he asks, voice low.

I swallow, unsure for a moment that I heard him correctly. He stares at me, waiting.

“No.”

“Why not?”

I squirm in my seat. Suddenly I don’t want to be so close to him.

“I couldn’t wash you all the way off just yet,” I admit. “Is that weird?”

“Yes,” he says.

I want to die. I want to die a thousand deaths. I wish someone would let me out of this car so I can die…

“But, I like it.”

“Oh.” I get comfortable in my seat again.

His pupils dilate, pulling me in deeper. I gasp when his fingertips trace from my neck all the way to the dip between my breasts then lightly tweak my nipple. I hold my breath, unwilling to move an inch for fear he’ll stop. His other hand travels down my stomach to my thigh and rests there. I want to beg him to claim any part of me he wants. Right here, right now. I don’t care who sees or hears, just to have him inside me one more time will be enough.

I lean my face into his and brush my fingers across his lips. His tongue flicks out and licks my finger. He inches closer to my face, his lips hovering over mine, our breath searing into one another. I close my eyes and wait for his kiss.

It never comes. My eyes flutter open and he pulls back, scoots over in his seat, and runs his hands through his hair. His breathing sounds heavier, but that’s the only sign that I might not have dreamed it up.

I look at him and he stares steadfastly out the window.

“I know you want to take all you can get while you have a man around, but I’m all used up today,” he says.

My mouth drops. “You act like I asked for any of that.”

A lump gets lodged in my throat and I swallow hard a few times trying to get relief. I square my shoulders and scream inside to not let one tear fall over this man. I meet a man and in one day he makes me cry? I don’t think so.