Not my cute outfits.
Not my makeup.
Not my bikinis.
Not even the guy I’d brought around him for the first time.
It was as if he was immune to anything related to me and the more I thought about it, the further it pissed me off.
“There’s Rob and Dave,” Daniel murmured in my ear, bringing my attention back to him. “They have booze. Let’s go over there with them.”
“My brother… You know what? Fuck it. Let’s go.” I called out Christian’s name. “We’re going to hang out with some friends who just got here, okay?”
“No—”
Kinley covered his mouth. “Okay. Have fun.”
I mouthed, “Thank you,” to her.
“Don’t go too far,” Christian called out behind us as we walked away.
“Babe! Just leave her alone. She’s a big girl.”
My eyes wandered toward Julian’s direction.
Did you hear what Kinley said? I’m a big girl!
Nope. He was still sucking face with the blonde.
Why even come to the rodeo if you’re not going to watch the show?
We made our way to Daniel’s friends, and I didn’t think twice about it, when he handed me the bottle of Jack, taking it down like a fucking champ. It burned all the way down my chest, warming my body in the process.
I wasn’t much of a drinker, but tonight would fix that.
One chug, three chugs, five chugs … shit, I’d lost count.
Giggling up a storm, I swayed my hips to the music Daniel was playing off his cell phone. Bringing the bottle up to my lips, I drank way more than I should have. Wanting to numb my thoughts of Julian and his indifference was the only remedy that seemed worthwhile.
I saw Daniel eyeing me over the rim of his bottle, staring at me with nothing but mischief in his eyes.
I wanted to forget.
And he was the perfect guy I could do that with. He was trouble in the best possible way.
My lips tingled, my face was on fire, and my body was numb.
Good.
It was the first time in forever I’d felt so carefree, throwing my head back and laughing, enjoying the way he made me feel. We exchanged flirty banter, dancing close together to the music. My head was spinning with thoughts of Julian, and I stumbled a little, catching myself in Daniel’s arms.
He caressed the side of my cheek, rubbing his thumb over my lips in a back and forth motion. “You’re beautiful, Autumn.”
Why can’t Julian think I’m beautiful?
I pushed off of him, dancing all around while he leaned against a tree.
Were we in the woods? I guess we went for a walk.
Seductively, I worked my hands up the sides of my body, bringing my skirt up with it. Peeking over at him, I moved my hips to the beat of the music, provocatively looking into his eyes as the song continued to blare into the night. I spun around with my back now facing him, closing my eyes. Wanting to get lost in the moment, I lifted my hair off the nook of my neck.
I was sweating.
It was scorching outside.
Texas heat was no joke, and tonight was proving to be one of the hottest nights of the summer.
Slowly, I continued to move my hips in a slow, steady rhythm until I felt a strong arm grab around my waist, tugging me back against his hard chest.
It was super aggressive.
“Daniel?” I was about to spin around when I heard the voice of the man I least expected.
Angrily spewing, “You wanted my attention. Now what are you going to do with it, kid?”
Chapter TEN
—Autumn—
My wide eyes snapped open, and I swear my heart stopped beating.
Was I hallucinating? Was this actually happening? How drunk am I?
Question after question tore through my mind. I couldn’t move, I was frozen to the spot. I was standing with Julian’s steady arm wrapped around my stomach, holding me firm against his torso. My body aligned perfectly with his like it was made for only him.
I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but Daniel beat me to it.
“Who the fuck are you?” he roared, stepping toward us.
I was shocked when Julian snarled, “I’m the reason she’s dressed in that uniform, grinding her ass against your cock. I’m the reason she’s drinking and acting out right now. I’m the fucking reason she’s even with you. You should be thanking me, you little shit. She’s only with you to get my attention.”
My mouth dropped open, realizing he knew all along how I felt about him.
Julian didn’t stop there, possessively adding, “I’m the man she’s trying to make jealous, that’s who the fuck I am. You’re lucky it was me who found her out here with you drinking, dancing like a slut, and not her brother, or you wouldn’t be standing. Now tuck your dick in between your legs and walk the fuck away, or else you’re going to have a problem with me.”
I couldn’t form words. The only thing I could do was feel intense anger. From head to toe, I was ready to explode.
“Daniel, leave.”
“You sure?”
“You heard her, run along before I change my mind and show you what happens to little shits like you who try to take advantage of drunk, naive girls who have no fucking business being alone in the woods with you.”
“Julian—”
“Don’t fucking try me, Autumn. Not. Right. Now. Not with how I’m feeling.”
I felt each word beating into my back. He still hadn’t let go of me.
“Listen, I don’t want any trouble.”
“Then go!” I shouted to Daniel.
Finally, he nodded and left.
Julian didn’t waste any time, spinning me around to face him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing alone out here with that boy? What did you think was going to happen if I didn’t show up when I did?”
“We were just hanging out.”
“Kid, he was seconds away from lifting your skirt, pulling down your panties, and finger fucking you against the tree. Is that what you want for yourself? A meaningless fuck in the woods? You’re better than that.”
“You don’t even know me anymore.”
“Bullshit. I know you’re not the girl you mess around with in the woods.”
“You would know since you fuck anything that walks.”
He jerked back, stunned.
“Well, actually, you fuck anything that walks other than me. Me, you push away. Me, you forget. Me, you don’t even acknowledge. Newsflash, I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“Really? Then stop acting like one.”
“That’s your reply?! Are you for real?!”
“What do you want me to say, Autumn? I’m your brother’s best friend, and I’m saving your ass. If Christian had seen what I just did, if he knew you had been drinking, trust me, your ass would never be allowed to leave your house again.” He eyed me up and down with only craze in his gaze. “And trust me, sweetheart, I’m tempted to tell him, if this is how you’re going to be acting. Because of me, nonetheless.”
Each word that erupted from his mouth was another knife in my chest.
“And what about you?”
“What about me?”