Because of Him Page 3

  6

  TADE

  Music thumped through the thin walls of the townhouse. Even though the party was thrown by residents several doors down, ultimately, the place didn’t support the sheer number of people who showed up. The party had already spilled into the courtyard when I finally turned away from a paper due the following week and headed outside with Gavin.

  “Tell me again what happened with the brunette?”

  Gavin gave me an exasperated look. “I didn’t tell you the first time.”

  “And that’s what puzzles me, mate. You tell all. Why not with this one?”

  Before I could jab at him some more, there was Pink. My breath hitched. She stood with her friend sporting a shy smile. I still hadn’t gotten either of the girls’ names.

  I didn’t want Gavin using me as conversation filler if he was into the brunette. So I hadn’t asked him any questions about Pink, pretending as though I was only half interested, and teasing him the other half of the time.

  “I’ll be right back,” Gavin said, holding up a hand and heading toward them. I’d passed on the brunette’s message from that morning and they’d talked a while at the Great Race earlier. Apparently he’d decided to act on it.

  Moonlight bathed Pink, only adding to her beauty. To keep myself from staring, I turned in the opposite direction and found myself very thirsty. With just one look, Pink had made my mouth extremely dry.

  Inside, I grabbed a beer from the open cooler. I perched against a wall in my usual way, content just to watch. Time passed with a couple of girls stopping to talk in convenient intervals. I smiled, laughed, and gave them a noncommittal see you later as they were eventually whisked away by friends. I’d always played my cards right and never promised more than a hookup. And so far, it had worked out. Until her.

  Pink walked through the door and stole my attention. Immediately, I was glued to her movements.

  As if tethered, I headed for my quarry. A curtain of her hair hung loose on one side while the other was tucked behind an ear as she talked to her boat race teammates. I longed to run my fingers along her jaw and to brush the rest of her hair behind her ear to get an unobstructed view of her beautiful face.

  Tonight, her lips were cherry red and begged to be kissed. She wore a sundress in yellow that again didn’t cling to her, but wasn’t sack-like either. Her eyes glanced up and met mine for a second before she ducked under an archway into another room. As much as I wanted to follow her, she’d turned me down twice and that should have been enough for me.

  Gavin stumbled out of a room with the brunette at his heels. Along with swollen lips, her hair looked like she’d just woken up. Had I not seen her before Gavin had gone to speak to her, I might have assumed she’d shown up that way.

  “Do you mind walking—” he was cut off when Pink came out of another doorway, “—her back to her dorm?” He pointed at Pink, but I knew Gavin. He was playing wingman.

  Pink glared at him and pronounced, “I’m fine, I can get myself back to the dorm. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  She stormed off and Gavin shrugged before the brunette stalked after her friend.

  “Dude, what is it with that chick?” He chuckled. “She’s got a hard-on for you.”

  “I think it’s just the opposite.”

  “Does that mean you’re giving up?”

  I didn’t get a chance to answer when the brunette came back.

  “I have to go,” she said, eyes full of regret.

  Gavin turned to me. “Bro, walk her friend home.”

  His eyes spoke volumes as they grew large and begged.

  “Fine.”

  They both smiled at me before I headed for the door, stepping outside, needing air. The music was louder out there. Someone had set up portable speakers. I caught sight of Pink as she stood watching some people dance. The music changed and a catchy beat took hold of her hips, and she started to sway. Her movements were sexy as fuck and I found myself heading toward her.

  When I reached her, I dared to put my hands on either side of her hips from behind, and the damnedest thing happened. She didn’t stop me. As the beat continued on, I tugged her closer to me.

  “Are you going to tell me your name?”

  At the sound of my voice, she stilled, whirling around, and pulled free from my grasp. Sometimes, I didn’t know when to keep my mouth shut.

  “Why do you care what my name is?”

  I held up my hands in surrender. And was that what I was doing?

  “Can’t a guy ask what a pretty girl’s name is?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Is that all you look for?”

  “No, that’s step one. The second step is to find out what’s in your mind. Though I have a pretty good idea that brain of yours works overtime.”

  She folded her arms over her chest. “Why would you think that?”

  I had to admit her snappy responses intrigued me more. This wasn’t a girl at all interested in how I looked.

  “Your team put together a winning boat in hours. It didn’t sink like others. That takes skill. I should employ you guys to build me a boat.”

  Something changed. The go fuck yourself expression disappeared in favor of fascination.

  “You sail?”

  “I sail, scull. But for the school, I’m on the rowing team.” So was Gavin, but I didn’t tell her that.

  Right before my eyes, I watched her build a wall between us. But there had been something.

  “I should go.”

  “About that, I promised your friend and mine I’d see you home safe.”

  Her gaze soared upward before landing back on me.

  “As I said before, I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “I’m sure you don’t. Cut me a break so I don’t go back on my word.”

  She took a minute. “Fine.”

  She stormed off, leaving me to trail behind her. The girl was skittish; probably some asshole had broken her heart and she’d sworn off men.

  When I caught up to her, I asked, “Is there a reason that you’ve hated me from the very first time we met?”

  “Hate? I don’t care enough about you to hate you.”

  “Ouch.”

  She stopped and turned to face me.

  “Okay, that was wrong. It’s just I know your type and I don’t want to waste either of our time. I’m not interested in hooking up.”

  “Who said I was?”

  Though as I stared at her, I had a deep-seeded need to be inside her. She looked like a woman who wouldn’t just lie still in bed.

  “Persistence, a quality I can admire. But let me put it this way. My schedule is full and it doesn’t include guys.”

  “Are you into girls?”

  She sighed like she’s had to answer the question a lot. “No. But right now, my only relationship is with books, not boys.”

  “Fair enough.”

  She tilted her head to the side as if she expected me to put up more of a fight. Though I wasn’t admitting defeat, there was a time and place for every battle. She wasn’t quite ready for more of my charm.

  Her dorm wasn’t far from the townhouses so our walk to the place across from the football field was short.

  She stopped in front of one of the small two-story structures. Having lived there the year before, I knew it housed four apartment dorms, two on each level.

  “Thanks for walking me home,” she said with a smile.

  There was that.

  I held out my hand. “I’m Tade.”

  She shook it. “Cade?”

  “Close, but it’s Tade.” I waited a second for her to reciprocate. “You’re not going to tell me your name?”

  “I don’t see the point.”

  Two could play that game.

  “Fine,” I said, feeling the smirk on my face. “I’ll call you Biscuit.”

  “Biscuit?”

  “You’re small and savory.” Which was true. The top of her head barely reached my shoulder.

  “Savory?” Sh
e shook her head. “What you are really saying is that I’m sweet, sour, bitter and salty all rolled into one?”

  “That’s not at all what I was thinking.”

  I took her hand, and when she didn’t pull away, I brought her knuckles to my lips. I placed a kiss there before bidding her a good night.

  To my surprise, she smiled. “And who will make sure you get home safe?”

  I gave her my best winning grin. “Give me your number and I’ll let you know when I get there so you can sleep better.”

  She laughed and it was a good one.

  “I bet you sweet talk all the girls.”

  “I’m only interested in one.”

  Smiling, I gave her the two-finger salute and bid her goodnight.

  7

  PAST

  I’d tried not to sleep. The humiliation of last night had replayed in my nightmares. How could Kyle be so mean? He’d seemed like such a nice guy, one I could have introduced to my parents.

  I was pretty sure that his name wasn’t Kyle. It had all been a ruse to get me here, trapped.

  Keys jingled in the door and I curled myself tighter in a ball on the thin mattress. My stomach roiled, and not from the rocking of the boat. The engine was still going, which meant I was far away from the island, far away from my parents.

  Were they mad at me for lying to them? Were they scared and searching for me?

  I hadn’t come across a soul once I’d left the property. I wasn’t sure anyone had seen me walk down the beach. It’d been late and there hadn’t been a lot of people out.

  “Wake up.”

  The coldness of his tone sent a shiver down my back. I didn’t want to face him. The contrast between his pretty face and ugly actions made me want to cry. And I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of any more of my humiliation.

  He yanked me around.

  “Just because the boss doesn’t want the merchandise marked doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to punish you.”

  Merchandise? Though my stomach had growled earlier, I felt like I would hurl any second.

  “On your knees. I need to teach you a few things.”

  In a poorly conceived act of defiance, I didn’t move. He caught my wrist and squeezed. I never knew I could feel so much pain. It was the shocking kind that felt like I’d been hit by lightning.

  He dragged me over the edge of the mattress and I tumbled to the floor. The engine noise hid my cries and the sound of my knees crashing to the ground.

  “Kneel.”

  The grip on my wrist had loosened, but he hadn’t let go. “Like I said, there are ways to punish without leaving a mark. I’ll only ask one more time. If you don’t comply, my only restriction is to ensure you’re a virgin. You still have another hole.”

  Still feeling weak from the insane amount of pain he caused by only squeezing my wrist, I got to my knees and kneeled, feeling like I’d given up. Somewhere inside, I prayed not to break. Not yet. I just had to wait for my chance.

  Then the sound of his zipper had my neck snapping up.

  “Time for you to learn the right way to give a blowjob.”

  The right way? I’d never done anything like that before. Why had I stupidly agreed to meet him that night on the beach? Why?

  “Open your mouth, princess. Open wide. If you’re teeth so much as graze my dick, I’ll show you real pain.”

  8

  TADE

  Monday came and went like the rest of the week. I didn’t run into Biscuit.

  Bored as fuck, I spent Friday evening studying until Gavin barged in my room.

  “Let’s go,” he said.

  “Where to?”

  One brow arched as if I shouldn’t ask. “Anywhere but here. You’ve fallen, my friend.”

  “Fallen for what?” I asked.

  “Obviously that chick has your dick on lockdown. You’re studying on a Friday. It’s pathetic. Let’s ride.”

  Gavin often went out late at night without a word. I never asked what he’d been up to. I had a feeling tonight I might just find out his mystery destination.

  Once we left in his truck for places unknown, my curiosity grew. I didn’t think we were headed to the nearby dive bar even though we took the one road out in that direction. He wouldn’t have been so secretive about that.

  Two familiar figures in colorful dresses came into view, staggering down the road not a quarter of a mile from the bar. Gavin slowly passed them, only to come to a complete stop before backing up.

  He hit the button on his side to roll down my window and said, “Ladies, it’s really not safe to be walking alone. Do you need a ride?”

  They were holding each other up and giggling uncontrollably, as if what Gavin said was completely funny. Drunk. So much for Biscuit’s remark about one drink being her limit.

  “Where are you heeaaddedd?” the brunette slurred. “School’s that way.” She pointed wildly with her free hand, almost tipping over. It was the second time I’d seen her sloshed. Did she like to get smashed more than the average person?

  “Someplace fun. Hop in,” Gavin declared.

  Together, they took swaying steps forward and I got out in time to catch the both of them before either of them hit the dirt.

  The brunette stared up at me. “You are reallllly pretty.”

  Smiling, I said, “I get that a lot.”

  Biscuit glanced over at her friend and started laughing again. “See, I told you he was conceited.”

  The brunette nodded and replied, “But he has a right to be.”

  Biscuit bobbed her blonde head and they continued giggling. I let go and urged them into the truck with my hands at their backs. The brunette crawled onto the seat and I had a clear view of light blue underwear.

  “My eyes,” Biscuit said while wiping them. “I didn’t need to see your ass.”

  “My ass is cute,” the brunette retorted over her shoulder before sitting down.

  Gavin pulled her close to his side. With no backseat, we all had to squeeze into the cab of his truck. “Your ass is fine,” Gavin agreed.

  Biscuit showed more modesty getting in, despite her inebriated state. I tried very hard not to glance down the front of her dress. “Scoot over, Biscuit, or you’re going to have to sit in my lap.”

  She tried to make room but in the end, I lifted her before resting her bum on my leg. I hoped like hell she didn’t feel my hard cock through my pants.

  She swayed and although she didn’t slur as badly as her friend, it was clear she was hammered. “You’re so rough,” she said, batting at my hands. “All you had to do was ask.”

  “What’s your name?” I asked, pressing my advantage.

  The brunette, who couldn’t help but overhear our exchange, began, “Her name is—”

  “Shh,” Biscuit said, putting her fingers awkwardly in the other girl’s face. “He hasn’t earned the right to know yet.”

  I might have said something if her bum hadn’t made contact with my dick. I took hold of her hips, shifting her back onto my left leg. She didn’t seem to notice as the two friends began to play-fight each other when Biscuit put her fingers on the brunette’s lips.

  Gavin and I traded glances a couple of times, but let them go at it. There was something cute about two girls together.

  We ended up in what appeared to be an industrial district. The girls quieted when Gavin turned the truck down a narrow alley lined with cars against one wall.

  “What would be here?” the brunette asked. “Is there a club nearby?” Her face was scrunched up as if she’d bitten a lime.

  Gavin somehow maneuvered into a single available spot. He ended up so close to the wall on my side, we all had to get out on his.

  In the dark, the girls were far too gone to walk on their own. The brunette plastered herself to Gavin and I was left to walk behind Biscuit. I gave her a helping hand or two when she appeared unsteady on her feet.

  Gavin rapped on a nondescript door. It was opened immediately by a bald guy who wore his
beer around his midsection. He glanced at all of us, then his eyes landed on Gavin. “Your father know?” He had an accent I couldn’t quite place, having only heard him say a few words.

  “I’ll vouch for them. It’s cool.”

  With a curt nod, the man stepped back, allowing us passage.

  Gavin was into some shit. I recognized the type of establishment. Though my father didn’t take me to a lot of places like this, when you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

  The interior was that of a gym…and not the kind with treadmills. This place had sparring mats, hanging punching bags, and a center ring where a fight was underway. The ceiling was high above, and the air held the same familiar scents as the dive bar: stale air, puke, and alcohol. The large space held quite a lot of people cheering or ranting at the two guys battling it out.

  No doubt somewhere in the back, illegal gambling was taking place.

  The door closed behind us with a clang, and despite the cheering and yelling, the noise startled the girls. With a hand at the small of Biscuit’s back, I urged her forward, following in Gavin’s wake. No time to show fear. People in places like this picked out newbies to fuck with or fuck over. We headed toward the raised fighting ring, which was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. The people nearest to us turned and eyed us before focusing back on the fight.

  Gavin held up one finger. “You guys stay here. I have to do something really quick.”

  On a hunch, I said, “Gavin, wait up.” I walked the few steps to where he stood and pulled some cash out of my pocket. I handed it to him.

  “Who are you betting on?” His grin was almost a bit too cheerful.

  “Whoever you’re not.”

  “Are you sure about that? I’m betting on the winner.”

  There it was. Did Gavin come here and gamble often? What was his father involved in? I kept the questions to myself, but I had my theories.

  “Wouldn’t be fun otherwise,” I remarked.