Shuffle (Ruby Riot #2) (15 page)

“I had planned to talk to you before...um...earlier.” At least in the dark he can’t see how pink my hot cheeks are.

“Right. Of course. Wanna go out?”

“I said, I don’t think I suit Blue Room.”

“No, with me. Us. Alone.”

“I guess...”

Will takes my hand, and squeezes cool fingers against mine as he turns back to the group. “Other plans.”

Nate’s face betrays nothing as he casts a look at us before returning to his attentive friends.

“You and her?” asks a girl with long blue hair.

“Me and Fleur.”

“Weird. Okay.” She turns back to her friend.

Should I be happy or put out by their dismissal? Will tightens his grip on my shoulders and kisses my nose. “You’re cold.”

“I’m a lot of things right now,” I murmur.

“‘Kay, well, we waited, but if you’re not coming...” Nate studies me and a muscle in his cheek twitches. “Nicely played, bro. Give me an update later.”

The group head off, talking loudly. Nate’s in the centre, girls vying for the positions either side of him while the two other guys hang at the edge. People sidestep the formation as the group approaches them, and they disappear around the corner towards the nearby bus stop.

“I think I’ll have that drink now,” I mutter. Will looks after the retreating group. “Go with them, it’s okay.”

“No, I want to spend the evening with you, remember?”

“Then why drag me here?”

“Because I wanted to show what happened back there wasn’t something I want to hide.” He turns and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. “I want to fix my fuck up by showing you I’m gonna try hard to make you believe I want you in my life.”

I stroke Will’s hair from his face. “This is weird. All of it. My head can’t catch up.”

Will’s mouth closes over mine again. The piercing brushes my lips as he holds the back of my head. The hard of the metal and the softness of his lips reflect the contradiction in Will; the guy with his in your face persona hides a surprising gentleness beneath. I grip the collar of his jacket and throw myself back into the euphoria of before.

His kiss tugs me to who we are outside of the strange couple we make. Will’s right, for whatever reason there’s a need to spend time with each other that doesn’t add up. Am I a hypocrite? I complained about three men only wanting one thing from me, and now this is precisely what I want from Will.

He pauses and touches my lips with his index finger. “C’mon. We can’t stay here all night.”

“Where then?”

“Wherever you want.”

I sidestep the passing people. I guess Will and me are public knowledge now. “There’s a new movie I want to see.”

His brow puckers for a moment. “Movie. Oh.”

“You didn’t think I was going to drag you home and finish what we started did you?”

He laughs. “What
you
started.”

“Excuse me! You kissed me.”

“You kissed me back.”

“You pinned me to the desk.”

“You held me so I couldn’t get away.”

I step closer and brush my lips against his. “You kissed... parts of me.”

“You tried to get in my pants,” he whispers against my lips.

The conversation sends a new heat through, warming me against the cold evening. Will’s hot breath strokes my mouth as he gently traces his tongue along my bottom lip. I sink into him, resisting the urge to return my kiss to the frenzy of before. I’m determined to hold onto my lust and not to be overridden by the desire for this guy.

“I don’t know why I behaved like that,” I say pulling away.

“Because I’m irresistible to women, haven’t you heard?”

I shove him in the chest. “Yes. I have. Which is why I’m glad we stopped.”

As people walk by, heading towards their evening, we’re lost in what we see in each other’s eyes. Is this what’s happening? A sexual spark ready to ignite fooling both of us into believing this could be more.

“Me too,” replies Will. “I’d worry you wouldn’t respect me in the morning.”

“Haha.”

“Come on. I’ll even watch a chick flick if you want. That’s how much I want to spend time with you.”

I giggle. “Coming right up.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

FLEUR

We head out of the plush Gold Class lounge with my half-eaten bucket of popcorn. Will walks close, alongside me.

“Well, that was a crap idea,” he says.

“The movie? I didn’t think you’d like Nicholas Sparks films. I warned you.”

“No. The seats. They were too far apart and had armrests in the way. I had no opportunity to grope you in those!”

“Charming!”

He stops and pulls me to him. “I don’t mind watching that shit, but at least we could’ve made out at the back of the theatre.”

I snort. “Made out?”

“If you knew what images were going through my head, you’d slap me,” he says with a grin. “I missed half the movie because I was running my own in my imagination. You in the starring role.”

What happens next? We went way beyond innuendo earlier and we’re about to have the discussion over whether he takes me home. To bed.

Others leaving the theatre push past us, not paying attention. Will’s phone rings interrupting the trip back in the direction of what we may, or may not, do next. With an apology, he steps aside and answers.

Will stands beneath a poster for the latest action movie, and I stare at the actor above him. Will isn’t famous yet, more infamous than anything; but will he be as recognisable as the guy on the poster one day? The concept is weird. He’s not an ordinary guy, that’s for sure, but what will happen to him? The man resting against the wall, long legs stretched in front of him could never be average, and my thoughts drift back in the direction of earlier.

I finally accept he isn’t Nate anymore; this is Will. This is the same guy who I spent those weeks with. The idiot who lied to me but didn’t play games. Do I give him a chance? Compared to the other guys I’ve come across this year, he’s an example over why I shouldn’t judge by appearances.

But the lies niggle.

Thirsty from salty popcorn, I indicate to Will I’m heading to the kiosk to grab another drink. The evening’s last showings begin soon, and a smattering of people hang around the lobby. I queue, sandwiched between two groups of loud guys, and wrinkle my nose at the smell of beer. A few minutes later, I reach the front of the line, and as I’m about to step up to the counter, a couple of tall guys push by me.

I stumble to one side and blink at them in surprise as they place their order. Not somebody to shrink away from these situations, I storm up behind them.

“Excuse me, I was next,” I say.

One of them looks around and wipes a hand across his face. “We’re in a hurry.”

“That’s not my problem. I queued here for five minutes!”

“Tough.”

His mate sniggers and my irritation grows. I gesture at the young girl serving, who has an empty box hovering over the vat of popcorn. “I just want a bottle of water, please.”

“Hey! She’s serving us!” retorts one of the guys.

Ignoring him, I pull some coins from my purse and hand them to the speechless girl. As she turns to retrieve a bottle from the fridge, the guy begins a loud tirade against me. My hands shake with anger more than fear as I take the bottle, keeping my eyes off his.

“What’s happening?” Will appears next to me.

I step away. “Nothing. It’s fine.”

“Are they talking shit about you?” he asks, his eyes hard.

The taller guy takes two large cups of Coke and looks back. “Keep your girlfriend under control, mate.”

The switch in Will’s temper is palpable, as he stiffens and steps forward. “Keep your fucking mouth under control.”

The other guy turns, two boxes of popcorn in his hands. “Hey, he’s the dude from Ruby Riot.”

“Who gives a shit? C’mon.” As he walks away, the guy knocks into me again, deliberately.

All this over a bloody box of popcorn and a bottle of water. “You dick!” I retort.

“Whatever, you stupid bitch.”

“What the fuck?” Will’s quiet anger simmers over and he steps in front of the guy before he can move. “Apologise to Fleur!”

“Or what?”

“Apologise,” he growls.

The two men are the same height, and I can’t be sure Will won’t do anything stupid. I grab his jacket, aware at the growing interest in the situation from people queuing nearby.

“Will. Forget it.” Testosterone hangs in the air and I take Will’s hand. I’ve witnessed this kind of thing before on nights out with guys, and I’m relieved Will’s sober. “Will!”

The challenge continues, until Will steps forward, right into the guy’s face. “Talk shit about Fleur again and I’ll fucking punch you!”

“We’re late for the movie!” complains the guy with the popcorn. “Ignore the fucker.”

Relief replaces the anxiety as the drunk guy steps back, breaking the standoff. “Jesus, man.”

Without an apology, the two stride off toward the theatres. Scared Will is about to walk after them, I pull him in the opposite direction.

“Fucking arseholes,” he mutters and grips my hand. “You okay?”

“Yes. Don’t do that again! I hate when you make a public display of us, you know that.”

“I don’t cope well with people who upset somebody important to me.”

“I was dealing with it. You made the situation worse.”

“Didn’t you hear what he called you?”

“Yes! But I don’t care, what does it matter?”

“It matters because if someone upsets you, they’ll learn it’s a fucking bad idea!”

This is reminiscent of the Will earlier, ready to hunt down Ethan because he thought the guy was responsible for the mood Shaun put me in. The one who warned Ethan off once before.

“Seriously, Will, I can look after myself. I stood up for myself and was about to walk away.”

Will shoves his hands in his pockets and mutters something under his breath. He’s tense, face dark with anger still. I place a hand on his cheek and he takes hold.

“Sorry. I don’t want anything to upset you, Fleur.”

“And I don’t want to date a guy who threatens to beat up anybody who looks at me the wrong way.”

“But –” I silence him with a raised brow. “Fine. I’ll try.”

“Try?” I lace my fingers through his. “Oh, Will. You’re not what you seem are you?”

“In a good or bad way?”

We head towards the exit, through the gathering late night crowds, and he grips my hand. “I haven’t decided yet.”

“Huh.”

Change of topic rapidly needed. “What was the phone call about?”

“Ah. Band stuff. Going away tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Forgot to say earlier, but I guess we didn’t talk much.” Will’s mouth twitches into a smile. “We’re heading north, and then to Scotland for a few days.”

“I guess I should give you some homework to do while you’re away.” I nudge him in the ribs and he laughs, letting go of more tension.

“For you, anything.”

I walk through the smattering of people still in the venue, my evening catches up.

Earlier today, I’d decided to give Will a chance and discover if he’s the same guy I spent time with and fell for. I didn’t intend to end the evening on a date to the movies following a lust-induced session with him on a desk in the study room. What would’ve happened if Sam didn’t interrupt? Surely, sanity would’ve tapped me on the shoulder and interrupted.

Will’s passionate matching of my heated need super-charged my body with desire for him, the same desire following me as I invite a rock star with an impressive reputation back to my house.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

FLEUR

We step off the bus at the stop nearest my place. Each step closer to my house pushes more excited apprehension into my stomach, the ‘what next’ hanging over our heads. Will’s silence continues, on the bus he brooded for a while. Is this because of the decision we make next or because of the incident at the movies?

The house is quiet when I step inside. Anne must be having a late night or staying over at Kyle’s; and the tension mounts.

“Don’t you want to come in?” I ask Will as he hesitates on the doorstep.

“Yes, but control yourself this time!” he says and grins.

Confused by his words, I smile back as he walks inside. “Did you want a beer?”

“Nah. I have to be up early.” He grimaces. “I wish I didn’t have to. Every time we go away I have to be up at some stupid hour...”

“I feel your struggle, Will. Must be terrible for you following your dreams as they come true.”

“Shush. Make me a coffee.” He gestures with his hand to the kitchen.

Will doesn’t join me, and when I return with two steaming mugs, he’s lounging on the sofa with his boots on the low table. I shove his legs out of the way. “Make yourself at home, why don’t you?”

He ignores my sarcasm. “If I was making myself at home, I’d be in your bed.” He takes the mug and sips, but his face doesn’t betray whether he wants to do what he says, or not.

I sit next to him and together we drink. Will takes my hand and rubs the back with his thumb and I stare at the action. Drinking coffee and holding hands isn’t the action I had in mind. Is the girl who threw herself at Will still in me? Maybe she could take charge. Something inside had me unbuckling his belt earlier. I swallow at the memory and side-glance him. The expression on his face matches my thoughts and I giggle.

“This is very civilised,” I say.

“Yep.” Will gulps back his coffee. “Now I know you’re home okay, I should go.” He sets the empty cup on the table.

Really?

What the hell?

“Oh. Right.”

“Unless there’s anything else you want to do?” Poker faced, Will regards me.

“Do you?”

He slides closer and tips my chin up, eyes glittering as he looks back at me. “I want to do a lot, but I won’t. You’ve had a shit time with men recently, and I’m going away tomorrow. I don’t want you to feel used if I stay.”

“Now you’re being presumptuous! When did I ask you to stay?”

“Ah. Yeah. Well.” He wrinkles his nose. “I don’t want to be a douche who has his hands all over you the moment we’re alone.”

“Too late for that, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but –”

Seriously? I have to throw myself at him again? Is this what he’s into? Girls making the first move?

I wind my arms around his neck and brush my mouth against his. “Will, you have permission to put your hands on me.”

“You might regret that statement.” His hands slide around my waist.

“Somehow, I don’t think so,” I murmur and stroke the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Are you sure?”

“Jesus, Nate, just kiss me.”

As soon as the words are out, I slap my hand over my mouth. Will’s eyes widen and he pulls away. “Will. I mean, Will. Crap.”

Will sits forward and stares at his boots.

“I’m sorry.” I touch his arm. “I know you’re Will, it’s just –”

“I lied about who I was, didn’t I? So now I’m Nate to you.”

“No. You’re not.” I move closer. “You’re not like your brother.”

“Aren’t I?” Will cups my cheek in one hand and holds a thumb on my lips. “I’m exactly like him in a lot of ways.”

“Not to me. You said yourself, at the party, you’re the same guy but with a different name.”

The silence between us replaces the joking and innuendo and I kick myself that I’m the one who screwed up. What do I say? I don’t think he’s Nate, but I was used to calling him that for weeks.

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Even though I lied?”

“You were stupid, not malicious.”

The silence returns as Will rubs his head. “I’m like them, Fleur.”

“Who?”

“Ethan. Shaun.”

“You’re not!”

“Do you know how many girls I’ve screwed in the last year?” He meets my eyes, and the shining happiness has gone.

I wince at the word but refuse to break eye contact. “No.”

“Neither do I. So I’m worse than the guys who hurt you. I bet they can remember every girl. I can’t.”

I don’t want this conversation, can’t think of Will in this way. “Only if you intend to do it again,” I say. “Only if you intend to have sex with me and move onto the next girl.”

As Will shifts his gaze to the opposite side of the room, my stomach sinks. He can’t give me the answer I’d like. Is he unsure? Or is Will coming clean and this is all about sex. “Can I ask you a personal question?” he asks.

“Okay.”

“Are you a virgin?”

Stunned, I stare at the side of his head as he refuses to meet my eyes. “You need to ask me that question? Are you worried I won’t know what I’m doing?”

“No, but –”

“Because I’m nerdy history girl? I don’t buy into your cliché, don’t you buy into the one around me.”

“Right. But you only have sex with guys who love you, right? I remember you said that.”

“Will, look at me.”

The heavy atmosphere creates a barrier between us. How has this shifted?

“I’ll wait.” He sits back against the sofa. “I need to wait.”

“You don’t.”

Where has the suggestive guy with his banter gone? He’s the man I want. His scent is on my clothes, lips imprinted on my skin from earlier. Will wasn’t the only one fantasising at the movies.

“Right. Are you telling me you wouldn’t regret having sex with me? Dropping your morals for a guy who screws girls and pushes them to one side? I’ll walk away, leave tomorrow, and you’ll be left wondering. Stressed.” He pauses. “Unhappy.”

“No. I trust you.”

“Fuck, I’m confused.” Will runs his palms down his face. “I can’t stop thinking about earlier; and normally, I’d just do this. But –”

“But you need to stop thinking and kiss me.”

I reach out to him, touching his day’s scruff, my face smarting from his rough cheek earlier. I edge in for a kiss and place my lips on his for a second before pulling away to look at him. “I trust you and I know what I’m doing.”

Will mutters something under his breath then crashes his mouth on mine. This is all it takes to reignite the burn from before. A shiver trips along my spine as Will’s hands delve beneath my shirt, holding my waist as his tongue pushes into my mouth. I climb onto his lap and hold his face; he’s not allowed to change his mind and walk away.

I push my hands beneath his clothes too and scrape my nails along his hard abs. The heat sparks into flame, my nipples hardening as I press myself closer. Will’s desire matches mine; he wraps my hair around his hand and grips my face to him.

I don’t know how, but earlier tonight, Will triggered a lust I won’t shake until he satisfies it. The physicality of the guy struck me from the first time he stood close to me in the study room. How is that possible? How can somebody affect another person with such intensity, without touching?

Will manages to do this, and now he
has
touched me I can go only one direction. The morals he’s talking about aren’t holding me back from letting Will know what I want. Is it so wrong that I do?

Will breaks the kiss and rests his head on the back of the sofa, chest rising and falling rapidly, lips parted. “I thought I told you. No seducing me.”

I laugh and kiss him softly again, running my tongue along his bottom lip. He sighs and grips my face to his again. Our barely restrained lust grips us in this moment and I don’t want to stop. I’m pretty damn sure Will doesn’t either.

“Jesus, Fleur.” Will shifts beneath me, his hard arousal pushing against where I straddle him, and I don’t want clothes in the way. “You need to climb off me or I’m going to push this as far as I can.”

“Stay,” I say, and kiss him again.

Will groans into my mouth and grips my waist. “I know I’m irresistible, but no.”

I sit back and push my hands into his hair to hold his head. “Is it me? Is there something wrong with me?”

“No!” I shiver as his fingers trail softly along my belly, the heat between my legs intensifying. “Every time I close my eyes, you’re there; I can’t shake you.”

“Then stay.”

Will slides his hands up my side and I wriggle against the ticklishness. “You told me that sex isn’t something you do with just anybody. If I wanted, I could tell you I loved you, but you wouldn’t believe me. You’d think I was saying it to get what I wanted.”

“I wish I’d never told you that!” I say and drop my hands.

“Well, you did.” He lifts me from his lap and I frown at him. “I have to go before my dick takes over control of the situation.”

I’d laugh but I’m pissed off, a mess of arousal fighting to control my breathing.

“Will…” I stand and wrap my arms around him, pull him in for a kiss. “Stay. We don’t have to do everything.”

Just touch me.

His breath speeds against my mouth. “I’m trying to push away those images, Fleur. Don’t put them back.”

The front door clicks and Anne heads in, alone. She halts in the open doorway and blinks at us. Well, gawks at Will for a few moments before turning a confused look in my direction.

“Hey,” says Will with a smile.

“Hey… Will?” replies Anne.

“Yep. Great party the other day.”

“Right.” Anne nods at me. “You might want to fasten your shirt.”

I put my hand to the top of my chest. Bare skin. The buttons are unfastened as far as my bra. Which is also unfastened. “Oh!”

Anne’s eyes shine in amusement. “Anybody want a drink?” she calls as she heads into the kitchen.

“All good. I was leaving.” Will smooths my hair and pulls my head closer. “I’ll call tomorrow, once I get to Liverpool.”

“Right.”

He kisses my nose. “Thanks for tonight.”

“Right.”

I mentally kick myself. Surprised by Anne’s arrival, mortified by flashing my underwear at her and disappointed Will is walking away; my brain has decided one word sentences are the way I go.

“You’re funny,” says Will and grabs my ass. “Sexy as hell.”

Then do something about it.

“Thanks.”

As if he couldn’t make things worse, Will leaves me with another toe-curling kiss and walks away.

The moment the door slams closed, Anne reappears. “Explain.”

I have no idea where to start.