Burning Attraction (25 page)

             
He was disappointed I didn't stay behind to congratulate him on his victory, but I had called him that night to explain I wasn't feeling good. I'm sure he knows it's a lie, but never said differently. We've been getting along like we had been, but we haven't hung out, I'm too scared to be alone with him. Too scared of what I may do. I've tucked away the feelings I have for him and shoved them as far back as I possibly can.

             
The only time I seem to talk with Carson is when we bump into each other. He has had another girlfriend since the last time, but they split up recently. I didn't bother asking him why this time, afraid I already know the answer. I don't like things being awkward between us. I haven't been to another frat party since the last one either, too embarrassed by my behavior last time I was there. A few of the frat brothers have joked with me about it, others act like they don't even know who I am when passing me in the halls. I think they must be the ones I drew on.

             
Tonight there is a party at a guy named Dawson's house, to celebrate the graduating class. It'll be mostly seniors and their close friends. Since I'm friends with Pierce, he invited me, and I'm dragging Aubrey along with me, who invited Mason, since she is too scared to party without him again. I don't mind, it's probably smart actually, and Mason promised to be the DD so we have a safe way back to the apartment tonight. I have been in my bedroom trying out every single outfit in my closet, and let me tell you what, it's a lot. I'm secretly finding the best outfit to impress Pierce, but don't want to admit it, so I'm pretending that I'm bloated and nothing fits right.

             
"Here," Aubrey says, grabbing a light blue summer dress I have. It's spaghetti strapped and tight around my chest, then flows down to my mid-thigh. I sigh and take it from her, throwing it on over my head. I walk over the mirror and it actually looks awesome. Plus, I can't argue that I look bloated in it, because it's loose enough around my stomach.

             
"Fine," I say, "now find me shoes."

             
Aubrey salutes me with two of her fingers and walks back to my closet, digging through my pile of shoes. "Maybe if you organized this disaster, I could find some. Oh, here," she throws a pair of wedged sandals that are white and should look perfect with my dress. I try them on, smiling at how I look now. "Yup, those are the ones!"

             
"Yay! Okay, can you do my makeup now? Just nothing too fancy." Aubrey walks over as I sit down at my vanity, and she works her magic. When she is done I look in the mirror and it's simple yet perfect. "Thanks! I love it."

             
"Good, now let’s go, Mason should be here any time." I follow Aubrey out of my room, and together we wait for Mason.

             
We arrive at the Dawson guys house less than ten minutes later, and there has to be forty cars lining the streets. That doesn't include his long drive way either. His house is a mansion, on possibly thirty acres of land, and I'm in awe. My parents have a huge home but it doesn't even compare to this place. I'm scared to party inside it, because what if something breaks? I have a feeling a lot of things will break, and this has to be his parents’ home. I could never do this! But, I guess, as long as I don't drink a ton I shouldn't be wrecking anything, I'll leave that to others.

             
The three of us enter the house together and there is a guard in the foyer. "Name," he states.

             
"Cassandra McKnight, Aubrey Anderson and Mason Bradley," Mason says to the guy. He scribbles down something, our names I assume, then he allows us through to the next room. "That was weird," Mason mumbles when we get passed him.

             
"Yeah that was," Aubrey states and I have to agree. But I think I'd probably have someone take down names too, this place has many valuables in it, I can tell already.

             
It seems like some people have been here for hours, they already look trashed. There is hooting and hollering all around, couples lining different sofas making out with each other, plastic cups crushed on the floor. Some girls are just wearing their underwear, many guys are shirtless. Music is thumping throughout the house, and there has to be five different makeshift dance floors throughout the rooms. We walk around the house ten minutes before Aubrey and I decide to grab a drink.

             
I recognize some of the people here, mostly from my Sociology class, since that is filled with upperclassmen. No one I'm friends with or socialize with. I'm almost thinking maybe this is a mistake, I feel weird being here. There is a lot of people outside, where there is a pool and hot tub, and we make our way out there, seeing if maybe there is anyone else we recognize. That is when I see Pierce, in the hot tub. I try not to stare at him, but he just looks so amazing with no shirt on, and it's been months since I got a view of that tattooed, chiseled beauty he calls a chest. There are three girls, all in tight bikinis, in the hot tub with him, and I feel a ping of jealousy that I try to swallow back.

             
He spots me starring, so I smile and wave at him then turn towards Aubrey. "This party sucks."

             
She whispers so no one can hear, "why, because lover boy is with three almost naked girls?"

             
My eyes bulge. Was I that obvious? I couldn't have been. "Excuse me?"

             
Aubrey laughs. "You're not fooling me. You talk with him for hours on the phone, and when you’re not talking to him, your texting him, or talking about him."

             
I glare at her. "Shut up. We're just friends."

             
"I know that. Doesn't mean that’s all you want." She winks before turning towards Mason and starting a conversation with him. I grunt and walk past her back into the house.

             
Since tequila made me so happy last time I partied, I throw back three shots before getting another drink. If I'm going to be at a party with him, while he is around girls in bikinis, I'm going to get drunk and wild. I feel loose already, so I make my way towards some people dancing. I spot a good looking guy with no girl around. I walk up to him and start shaking my hips, making myself look sexy as I dance. He comes up behind me and grinds into me. I can feel how much I excite him, and honestly right now, I don't care. It doesn't feel natural with him, but I don't plan on going any further than dancing. I just want to feel good about myself.

             
We dance through two songs together, then as the third song starts, I hear that voice that causes my panties to dampen. "I'm cutting in," he says behind me, then grabs my hips and pulls me close. I rest my head against his naked chest, rubbing my ass into him. I'm consumed with desire just seconds being this close to him. He hasn't touched me like this since my birthday and I've missed it more than I even realized.

             
I turn towards him and look up into his grey eyes. "Have a nice swim?"

             
He chuckles, "I wasn't swimming Rosie, I was in a hot tub, relaxing." I bite down on my lips and can feel my cheeks blush. His finger rubs my cheek, his voice nearly down to a purr when he speaks again. "Does that make you jealous?"

             
My heart starts thumping out of control and I have to squeeze my legs together. I nod at him, lost in the moment, then realize I just admitted to being jealous. "Um, no. I'm not jealous. Why would I be?" I pull back from Pierce and walk towards the makeshift bar. I grab another shot of tequila then a drink.

             
"That isn't a good idea, I remember last time. I'm sure you don't want to be running around naked with all these people here," he whispers in my ear. It causes me to silently whimper in delight from the sounds of husky voice being so low.

             
I don't turn to look at him as I sip on my drink. I huff out a breath, "I'm not getting that trashed, don’t worry." I walk away from him, still not looking at him, but I don't get far when he pulls on my arm. With a tug, I'm turned around and slamming right into his rock hard chest. Gulping down the lump in my throat, I look up to him, melting at his cocky smirk.

             
"I'm not worried. I'd enjoy seeing you naked. I've missed it," he says in the utter most seductive voice. Reminding me of the times we were naked, together.

             
"Yeah, well, there are plenty of girls here I'm sure would love to get naked with you Pierce. I, on the other hand, just want to get drunk and have fun."

             
He growls with pleasure, shaking his head as he leans in closer to my face. His lips almost brushing against my own. "I love when you're like this."

             
I know exactly what he means, there is something extremely hot about arguing with him. It turns us both on insanely, there is no denying it, although I certainly try. "Fuck off Pierce. I'm not playing games."

             
His smirk grows into a full blown smile, not moving his face from in front of me. "I'm not playing either. Although, if you come with me, we can find something fun to play."

             
It takes me a few minutes to gain composure from his erotic request. "Not happening Pierce, been there, done that." I walk pass him, bumping my shoulder into him. I can hear him laugh behind me, but I don't turn around as I try to find Aubrey again. I spot her outside, in conversation with Mason and two other people I don't recognize.

             
"Hey," I say when I make my way to her.

             
"There you are! I thought you took off or something. I tried calling, but you must have left your phone at home."

             
I realize just then that I don't have pockets or my wallet. "Oops, yeah, I guess so. Oh, well, nope, just getting drunk!" I hold up my cup to show her and she laughs at me.

             
"Well I'm glad you're having fun."

             
"You're not?" I ask her, feeling guilty.

             
She shrugs, "don't really know anyone."

             
I'm about to speak when I hear Pierce's voice come from behind me. "I've got Cassie, I can get her home safe if you want to get out of here. I'm not drinking."

             
Aubrey smiles knowingly as I glare at her. I don't turn and look at Pierce, because right now my face is beat red and I know he'd make fun of me. "That'd be awesome Pierce, thanks," she says all smug. She taps Mason on the shoulder and says they can leave. "Well, looks like we're out of here, you two have fun," Aubrey whispers in my ear when she hugs me goodbye.

             
"I hate you," I whisper back.

             
"Love you too," she giggles, pulling away. Then her and Mason take off. I don't miss the look Mason gives Pierce or myself, but I play it off.

             
I whip my head to look at Pierce. "I hate you," repeating the words I just said to Aubrey.

             
He laughs, "you're just turning me on more."

             
"Well I'm not having sex with you!"

             
"That’s fine, I don't feel like having sex. I feel like swimming."

             
I look down at my dress and smile back at Pierce as smug as I can. "Sorry, don't have a suit. I guess you can go have fun with the hoe bags from earlier."

             
He throws his head back and laughs. "I'd rather have fun with you." I don't have a chance to respond as he picks me up and tosses me into the pool.

             
I screech out when my head bobs back up above the water line. "I fuckin' hate you!" I scream out to Pierce. He jumps in the pool right after me, splashing me in the face. I start swimming away from him, but he catches up to me in no time.

             
He grabs my waist and pulls me close to him, whispering my ear, "no you don't." My stomach instantly turns into lava and I have to control my breathing. I wiggle my way out from his grip and swim my way to the edge of the pool. When I get there, Pierce turns me around and pushes against me. He grabs the edge and pulls himself into me harder, causing me to wrap my legs around his waist instinctively. I can feel how much he wants me right now, and unlike the guy I was dancing with, I'm excited about it.

             
"I hate you," I whisper as soft as I can.

             
He shakes his head, bringing his lips so close to mine that when he talks, they brush against mine. "No you don't."

             
I swallow but don't move. It feels like we're the only two people in the world right now. His grey eyes are burning with lust, probably resembling my own gaze. He thrusts forward, causing a light moan to escape from my mouth. "No I don't," I admit in a whisper.

             
Pierce presses his lips to mine full force. My mouth opens, allowing him access and my tounge enters into his. We continue kissing until someone else jumps in the pool, causing a splash of water to hit us. He pulls back and looks at me, my heart still pounding. "Sorry," he says softly. I'm not sure if he is sorry about the kiss or throwing me in, but I'm not sorry at all.