Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(10)

I got up immediately but didn’t take one step before I fell straight into his lap...

“Can you feel that?” Brandon hisses in my ear, moving his hips up, his erection butting against my thigh. “That’s what you do to me. You need to take care of that, kitten. I’ve been imagining you naked since my New Year’s Eve party.” He grabs my thighs when I try to move. “Not so fast. Fuck... you smell good.”

“You have until I count to three to let go.”

He laughs, the sound low, throaty. “And if I don’t?” His teeth graze my earlobe.

“One.”

Another short laugh, louder, and he jerks his hips higher. “I bet you’re tight. So fucking wet. I’ll make you scream, shake, and beg for more, kitten. Just say yes.”

“Two.”

His fingers dig into my skin. “Fuck, kitten... stop teasing.” Another loaded growl leaves his lips.

“Three.”

One precise elbow throw and a dash inside Nico’s house later, I puked in the downstairs toilet.

What else is new?

Thankfully neither Brandon nor his friends are here, which is good, but I can’t see the triplets, either, and that’s not good. Colt texted me an hour ago, saying I should come over. With zero better plans, I took him up on the offer, but it looks like I arrived too late.

The triplets became part of my life when they saved my ass one night in Q last year. They’ve kept an eye on me since. I don’t know how I managed without them. The way we clicked is bizarre, but I couldn’t have hoped for better friends.

It’s a shame we didn’t get there sooner.

Although, given my history, maybe that’s for the best. The triplets were always in the spotlight. Three identical brothers, their mother a former Miss California title winner, their father a mayor... Yes, the triplets were always the heart of any gathering. We’ve attended the same schools for fifteen years. I’m a year younger, and as an outcast, I was invisible to anyone not trying to make my life miserable.

Avoiding eye contact with everyone inside Rave, I squeeze past the line at the bar and round the corner, heading for the staircase to the VIP section where I might find the triplets.

Once there, I scan the booths, two lines creasing my forehead. Where are they? I spin on my heel and almost jump out of my skin when a warm hand grips my upper arm, halting me in place.

His touch sends an electric impulse rushing through my bloodstream. Goosebumps dot my skin, forcing the hairs on my neck to rise. If not for my body’s reaction, I’d be clutching my bag, getting ready to unleash the pepper spray, but my suddenly weak knees hint who’s behind me.

I turn around again, my heart triphammering, hot flushes running down my spine. Nico stands a foot away, gouging his long fingers into my flesh hard enough to leave bruises. The ruthlessness he emanates isn’t aimed at me. It’s just a part of his disturbing charm that renders me speechless.

I’m not good with confrontation.

“What the hell are you doing here alone?” he clips, yanking his earphone out of his ear.

Maybe a bit of his attitude is aimed at me after all. He towers above me, a tall, broad-chested wall of muscles. Olive veins snake up his hands and forearms, covered here and there by black ink. The tattoos on his impressive biceps dance with every move he makes.

“Does Cody know you’re here?”

I swallow around the tightness of my throat as my stomach churns, nausea kicking up the gears as Nico digs his fingers harder into my skin.

“Let me go,” I say, steadying my breathing.

He won’t hurt me.

He said so.

He’s just a big brute.

He probably doesn’t realize how hard he’s holding me.

“I asked you a question, Mia.” My name rolls off his tongue, erotic and possessive.

Fear and desire mix in my head, but even the heat flaring at the backs of my thighs doesn’t ease the mild panic burning through my veins. “They don’t know I’m here. You have until I count to three to let me go, Nico. It hurts.”

His brows furrow in confusion as he glances down to where his hold loosens slowly before he lets go, raking his hand through his jet-black hair. “Why are you here, kid?”

I’m torn between running away with my tail tucked between my legs and rising on my toes to kiss him.

I’m not sure I can reach, though.

He’s too tall, and I’m too chicken. I wouldn’t get far if I ran, so I stand still, nailed to the spot. His cologne, a combination of bergamot, cedar, and a spicy note, overpowers every other smell here.

“I’m not a kid,” I mutter, my cheeks growing hotter. “Colt sent me a text earlier saying they’re here and to join them. Have you seen them?”

“They left half an hour ago.”

I pull my phone out, inhaling deeply as if it’ll help me get a hold of myself. Not likely. My hands shake, my pulse soars, and I can’t focus on the text message.

It takes three tries before the words make sense.

Me: You said Rave. You’re not here. Where are you?

Colt: Sorry, Nico’s there with friends. We evacuated to Q. I’ll wait for you outside.

He could’ve texted me sooner. Then again, I should’ve told him I’m coming instead of just arriving.

“They moved to Q,” I say, and Nico inches closer.