Page 33 of Too Sweet
I’m surprised she hadn’t stayed in London with Mom since it was the only place Dad couldn’t forbid her from moving to.
“Not good?” the bartender asks when I place my almost untouched drink on the bar. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Oh, no. Nothing, I’m just leaving.”
He offers me a curt nod, snatching the spritzer off the counter. Before I take five steps, someone wraps their hand around my middle, pulling me back.
“Not so fast, Mia,” Justin purrs in my ear, grinning when I spin to face him. “I’ll get you a drink.”
“No, thank you. I’m leaving.”
“Come on, one drink, sweetheart. Let me take you back to my place tonight. You won’t regret it, I promise.” He spreads his fingers over the small of my back, making me shudder.
“Let me go, Justin. The answer isno, and you have—”
“Until you count to three, right?” He dips his head, speaking into the crook of my neck. “I won’t be such a fucking ass about this as Brandon.”
My heart thumps faster, jinxing my ability to focus and assess our position. “One,” I mutter, though I can’t concentrate enough to plan how I’ll break free. His hold isn’t strong, but he’s angled his body away like he knows my best shot is his groin. “I’m not interested, Justin.”
“Don’t make such a big deal out of this. It’s just sex. An hour with me, and Brandon will stop plotting how to get you in bed. He’s getting creative, you know?” He drags his free hand down the line of my waist. “You won’t enjoy what he has in store for you next.”
“What does that mean? What’s he planning?”
“I wish I could tell you, but I like my teeth too much. Believe me, I’m trying to do you a solid here.”
“Two,” I say, shuddering at the thought of Brandon’s creativity. “You’d be doing me a solid if you convinced Brandon I’m not worth the hassle.”
He chuckles softly. “What’s the fun in that? I’d much rather have you so I can rub it in his face that you chose me. He’ll break you, Mia. It’s just a matter of time. You’re not escaping this.” He grips my butt, squeezing hard. A ball of nausea sinks into my stomach.
“Three.” I brace against his chest, my hands weak, mind in tumult.
I’m more concerned about Brandon’s newest idea than Justin. He won’t hurt me. He’s actually the only decent guy among Brandon’s friends.
Point invalidated by his hands groping my ass, but still... there are worse guys in Brandon’s shadow.
“We’re in public,” I remind him. “You won’t get away with touching me against my will here.”
His hold loosens before I even try to shove him back. He’s not stupid enough to manhandle me while dozens of people watch—bartender and security guard included.
I spin on my heel, aiming for the door, my heart falling to my knees. More guys from the football team lurk by the window, their amused eyes following my every move. I don’t want to check if any of them have a similarly noble idea of using me tostick it in Brandon’s face.
Maybe Aisha could wait with me for a cab...
But instead of her, my eyes find Nico, still where I left him, a look of mulish bad temper carved into his face.
I thought he left, but no... he saw the whole thing.
Of course he did. Just my luck.
Justin grabs my wrist, yanking me back. “I’d never fuck you without permission,” he growls. “I’m not a rapist, sweetheart. I’m simply giving you an alterna—”
His words die a sad death when a clenched fist connects with his cheekbone, swishing less than an inch from my face. A kind of disturbing, nonchalant violence buzzes in the air like spent gunpowder, and my stomach somersaults back, nausea in the highest gear.
“What the fuck?!” Justin cries, holding his bleeding lip. “What’s your problem, Nico?”
“Beat it, kid. She’s not yours.”
“How do you know? Maybe she is!”
