Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(44)

"Billy's by the window over there. Let's grab some drinks and we'll approach as a couple, but then I need you to lose interest and start chatting up the girl to his left."

Zach swallowed, not sure how he was supposed to do that. He wasn't exactly a stud.

"Trust yourself. You look hot, Denim. Just act like the jocks at Monte Vista High and go for it."

He grinned, her faith in him a major confidence booster. Zach let her lead the way, sauntering after her as if he'd been to far better parties in his lifetime.

"Hey, Billy." Lucy crooned, holding out a beer.

He spun at the sound of his name, his expression lighting like a beacon as he drank in her sexy form. He downed the last of his bottle and handed it to the girl beside him before stepping towards Lucy with a leering smile. Taking the drink from her hand, he pressed it to his lips and took a swig before saying, "You ready to tell me your name yet?"

She giggled and bit her lip, looking hungry. "Maybe," she whispered leaning towards him, "it could be our little secret." Her dancing blue eyes suddenly jerked towards Zach and she looked a little miffed he was standing right there.

He gave her a sardonic glare as if challenging her that two could play at this game. With a cocky smile he turned to the blonde girl at their left and introduced himself.

She gave him a slightly awestruck smile as he leaned over her and asked her name. Her tittering giggle was annoying and it was really hard to concentrate when he couldn't stop watching Lucy out of the corner of his eye. The blonde girl was harping on about the summer camp she was leaving for after Fourth of July, but all Zach could focus on was Lucy's hand. Her fingers were on Billy's arm as she whispered something in his ear. His eyes grew wide with pleasure before looking across at Zach. His thumb flicked Zach's way as he asked her a question, but she just shrugged and tipped her head as if she didn't care.

Billy chuckled, gliding his arm around Lucy's waist.

Zach felt sick. She was way too damn good at this. He almost believed her when she threw one more scornful look over her shoulder as Billy guided her out of the room.





Chapter 24





LUCY





I wanted Zach to hurry up and follow us as Billy dragged me through the party. I was squished against his side, feigning that it was a turn on. The little squirt of a kid was good looking, sure, but he was so arrogant and cocky it actually repulsed me. He had nothing on my Zach.

I paused at the bottom of the stairs, trying to buy some time and give Zach a chance to see which way we were going.

"So, where you taking me, Billy?"

"Well, mystery girl, I want to know your name and since you're so determined to keep it a secret, I thought we'd go somewhere really private."

He nuzzled my neck, making my skin crawl. I tittered, forcing myself not to pull away.

"And since we'll be somewhere private, no one will see us if we misbehave." His grin was leering, but I snickered.

"Oooo, sounds interesting." I wiggled my eyebrows and let him pull me up the stairs, glancing over my shoulder to try and spot Zach. I thought I saw the edge of his shoulder, but lost sight of him again as we reached the landing and headed right. My gaze landed on the formal family portrait on the wall. William Tenner was smiling down at me. His pale green eyes bore holes straight through my chest. I jerked, nearly losing my character.

"You okay?" Billy grinned, licking my neck and making me want to pull away and slap him.

Yanking on his arm, I turned my back on the picture. Pressing Billy against the wall, I ran my finger down his jawline, making sure my breasts crushed against his chest as I brushed my lips over his.

Pale green eyes taunted me from behind, but I squeezed my eyes shut and thrust my tongue into Billy's mouth. I had to focus.

The plan, Lucy. Just follow the plan! I silently screamed the words.

Billy hands ran down my back, spreading wide as they curved over my butt. The urge to wriggle free was nearly overpowering. I needed to move before I jerked away, but I wanted to buy Zach a little more time to get to us.

Pulling back with a smirk, I tried to ignore the way Billy's fingers brushed the skin just below my hemline.

"You know," I whispered. "Since we're planning on being naughty, why don't we do it somewhere naughty?"

He gulped, his blue eyes catching mine. The slight tremor in his gaze told me he wasn't as experienced as he made out to be. It was a relief. It'd be easier to play him this way. He nervously looked down the hallway. "Where do you want to go?"

"I don't know." I tucked my finger into the opening of his shirt, running my shiny nail over his skin. "How about your parents' bed or..." I bit my lip, my eyes sparking as if I only thought of this idea. "Does your dad have an office or something?"

"Yeah, but I'm not really allowed in there."

"Perfect," I breathed. "I've always wanted to do it on a desk." I ran my hand through his curls, grabbing the ends as I crushed my lips to his. His tongue was a sloppy mess that nearly made me gag, but I held my ground. I could feel him weakening as he ran his hands over my body.

"Okay," he whispered, out of breath. "Okay, this way."

His arm was tense as he pulled me back past the stairwell and around the corner to his dad's office. I wanted to cry with relief when I spotted Zach lurking near the bottom step. I made sure not to catch his eye, confident that he had spotted us.