“Are you not feeling well,” Melissa asked, rubbing Evelyn’s arm.
Relief filled Evelyn at Julie’s silence. From their conversation on the phone earlier, Evelyn had no doubt she knew exactly what was going on. “I’m fine. Just surprised, that’s all. I wasn’t expecting to see my new neighbor here.”
“You mean that hunk is your neighbor? Holy shit! You lucky bitch. No wonder you changed your mind about placing a bet. You’ve decided you want him yourself. I don’t blame you at all,” Sarah said, fixing her hair in front of the mirror.
“No, you’ve got it all wrong. You see, he’s more of a nuisance than anything. He set up a date for us at seven tomorrow, even though I told him no. He doesn’t give up. I’ve made it as clear as I possibly can. If any of you are interested, have at it.”
Even as she said the words, Evelyn’s throat threatened to close. Whatever was happening to her, it had to stop, soon. She didn’t even know this guy. There was no reason for her body or mind to be betraying her like this. He was good-looking, so what. So were all the guys she bet on.
“If you say he’s free, then I’m all over him.” Sarah looked over and smiled at her.
Evelyn tried to give her the most genuine smile she could, but failed horribly. It felt more pained than anything.
“Ev, are you sure you’re all right?” Melissa asked, concerned.
“I’m fine, really. Say, don’t you ladies owe me some drinks?”
Cheers echoed off the restroom walls, and a real smile started to appear. No more self-pity. Evelyn had had a plan when she came here, and that was to have a good time. It was time she stuck with it.
“That’s my girl,” Julie said, pulling her out of the restroom.
Chapter 5
They sat back at their booth. Brandon and Paul were nowhere to be seen. Evelyn thanked her lucky stars and downed her first apple martini. Closing her eyes, she basked in the flavor of her favorite drink.
“We should go to the hot tub. It’s perfect weather, plus I bet we can get really naughty with whoever we decide to take,” Melissa said, looking around the crowded bar.
“Sorry, everyone, but I have a bet and I fully intend not to take him anywhere near the resort.” Evelyn searched through the groups of people for Paul. So what if he knew Brandon. A bet was a bet. Bill would just have to wait until tomorrow.
“He’s definitely scrumptious,” Julie said, downing her drink.
The laughter floated around the table as hot guys walked past. Before they knew it, everyone had a bet placed for tonight. Evelyn had to have been on her fourth apple martini when Paul and Brandon showed back up. She was laughing so hard that she almost didn’t notice. It had to have been the laughing, or the fact that she was completely bombed. Drinking wasn’t something Evelyn was very good at.
“How about a dance,” Paul asked, reaching for her hand.
Evelyn stood, still steady enough to hide how drunk she was, and laced her fingers through his. The warmth emanating from Paul had diminished considerably since the last time her hand was in his. They walked to the dance floor, and Evelyn, picking right up on the rhythm of the music, swayed her hips to the hypnotic sound.
The feel of Paul’s firm body against the softness of hers had Evelyn closing her eyes, but all she could imagine was Brandon against her. Thick arms enfolded her stomach and brought her closer against him. His hard cock pressed against her lower back, and she felt the length grow with every sway of her hips.
“Let’s leave, just you and me,” Paul breathed against her ear.
Evelyn turned, not breaking the rhythm of her hips. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him closer. Paul leaned down, bringing his arm tightly around her back and pulling her against him as he bent to whisper in her ear.
“I want you. I want to taste every inch of your body. Leave with me.”
Evelyn bit her lip, feeling her body tighten in response to his words. “Maybe I will. We’ll have to see. I’m not done yet with my friends. I plan to stay and get drunker still, and then if you still want to leave, we’ll leave.”
Paul crushed his lips to hers, engulfing her mouth with the taste of peppermint the moment his tongue slid inside. She moaned at his taste and tightened her arms around his neck. Brandon flashed behind her closed lids and she nearly gasped at the unexpected vision. At the realization of what she was doing so plainly on the dance floor, she jerked back.
“Come, let’s go and sit with our friends,” she said, tugging him to leave. He groaned, bringing her back against him.
“All right, we’ll do drinks and have fun, but then I
will
taste you.” Shivers raced down her body at his words.
* * * *
Brandon sat at the booth watching his friend and Evelyn. The smile that radiated off her face, followed by that kiss, had him clutching his fists together.
Paul wasn’t someone he wanted around her. Yes, he was his friend, but Brandon had a job to do, and Evelyn was his job. He had been asked by a very good friend of his to take care of her. Not to hurt her physically, but more, emotionally.
It seemed that she took her bets very seriously, and when his friend wanted to see her again, she denied him. Taylor was never denied, and for some reason, he couldn’t hypnotize her, which alone had intrigued Brandon. What human could not be swayed by a vampire’s gaze? It was unheard of. The second time should have been easier.
From the flashes he had gathered the moment Evelyn had looked into his eyes, he knew that she harbored a deep hurt. His job was going to be easier than he thought.
Multiple scenes played in his head of her crying on several occasions. One in particular was of her in a wedding dress, sitting in what looked to be a bedroom. She had been clutching a bottle of liquor, burning pictures in a trash can that could have burnt the house down.
Hurt like she had been through was something Brandon never wanted her to feel again, but he had to focus on his job, and his job was to do exactly that. Paul didn’t, of course, know what she had been through or what Brandon had been asked to do. He didn’t have the same gift as Brandon, so he’d never know what was going on.
As they approached, Evelyn was swaying a little against Paul’s side. Brandon stood from her former seat at the booth. It was time. Paul looked at him, knew he was thinking something, and gave him a look of curiosity and confusion. Brandon would have to explain things later.
* * * *
Evelyn sat down, looked at her phone, and noticed how late it was getting. Paul wanted her to leave with him tonight. He was gorgeous, but something told her not to do it, for the first time, to reject a bet and go home. Should she? Why was she suddenly confused? Not two minutes ago, she was kissing him on the dance floor.
Everyone at the table started laughing. Looking up, Evelyn didn’t see anything that was funny. She finished off the apple martini that had been waiting for her and decided for once to listen to the nagging inside her head.
“I should be going,” she yelled across the table toward Sarah, who was sizing up Brandon and, never breaking her stare, just nodded her head like a puppet.
“Where are you going?” Melissa asked, from next to Evelyn.
“I’m not feeling well all of a sudden. I’ll call you tomorrow. Have fun tonight, okay?”
Melissa pouted. “Do you need me to take you home? You’ve had a lot to drink. I don’t think it would be safe for you to drive.”
“I’ll be fine. Fresh air will help.” Evelyn grabbed her purse and stood. Paul walked over to her. Her mind raced for what she was going to tell him. Why did she feel so guilty? It wasn’t like she was lying. The thought of leaving with him did make her stomach turn slightly.
“We’re going to have to do a rain check. I’m not feeling so well.”
Paul smiled at her tenderly. “I can take you home and get you tucked into bed. I promise to be a perfect gentleman.”
“No thanks,” Brandon said, wrapping his arm around Evelyn’s shoulder. “I’ll do that. We’re neighbors after all. It’ll be easier for you that way, Paul, less driving. Plus, I’m ready to go home.”
Paul narrowed his eyes, looking annoyed, but remained quiet.
Sarah glanced over at Evelyn, her face close to panic. Confused, Evelyn didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want Brandon riding home with her. That was asking for trouble.
“Sarah lives on the island, too. I’m sure when she’s ready to go you could catch a ride with her,” Evelyn rushed to say.
Sarah nodded her head a little too desperately. Poor girl, Evelyn thought, she wanted this man, bad.
“Actually, I want to go home now, and since we live two doors down, it would be the easiest solution.”
Well, shit, this wasn’t good.
“Well, you see…” She tried to think of a way to come right out and say it without making herself sound like a liar. “I think I’d rather be alone. I—”
“Sounds great, you ready?” he said, cutting her off.
His arm tightened around her shoulders. Evelyn was being pulled to the door before she could even open her mouth to politely reject him. Did this guy not understand what in the hell she was trying to tell him? Maybe he did and that’s why he already had her in the parking lot. This man had rejection issues.
Thinking of something fast to stop him, she remembered what she told him earlier and didn’t care if her half-lie about not feeling good came out. “I hate to be so blunt, but I don’t think you understand. I told you earlier that I had plans for afterward. I’m not going home right now. If I’m lucky, I won’t be home until the sun rises. Get my point. Sorry to reject your friend like that, but something told me to stay away from him.”
They came to a stop in the middle of the parking lot.
“Smart girl. You
should
stay away from him. I see what you’re saying. Let me ask you a question, though. You’re obviously going to meet a man, correct?”
Evelyn was quiet for a few seconds, not sure what in the hell she was going to do when she left, but finally she decided to enlighten him. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Would you say that you love this man?”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. “Of course not.” After she said it, she wished she could have taken it back. He was obviously getting to something, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
“Then why are you going to him? You don’t love him. Do you usually give away your passion so freely?”
Anger began to thrum inside of her. “It’s none of your business what I do with my passion, as you so nicely put it. Let me give you some insight since you seem to be missing the flashing sign that so clearly says, ‘Not interested.’ I fuck whomever I want, and if I need companionship, then that’s no one’s business but mine.”
Evelyn regretted the harsh words as soon as they were out. She closed her eyes to block off the tears. He was right. She did freely give away her body, her passion, and, slowly, her soul.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried into your private life. Forgive me.” Brandon‘s voice lowered with what sounded like regret.
His palm cupped her cheek so softly she wasn’t sure if she was imagining it. Evelyn opened her eyes and couldn’t stop the tear that collided with his thumb. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Let’s go. I’ll drop you off.”
She stepped away from him and headed in the direction of the car. The lights flashed as she unlocked the door. Evelyn needed to get this guy home. If anything, he might have been right, but he also had convinced her that she needed someone more stable in her life, a damn boy toy.
“Are you okay? Really, I’m sorry. I was out of line.”
Without a word, she opened the door, gesturing for him to get in the passenger side. “I’m fine now, completely sober if you must know. Now get in.”