Page 7 of Torch

After this trip, I was going to take some time away from my sister. I didn’t know when her disdain for me started, but over the past couple of years it's gotten worse. I was at my wits' end with her bullshit. I always tried to make excuses for her because she was the baby, but enough was enough. To this day, I had never uttered a bad word about her. Yet she always had something to say to me.

My parents made it no better. Every time I came to them, they would say I was overreacting and to stop being so sensitive. They placed my sister on a pedestal, and in their eyes she could do no wrong.

Christian gripped my chin, bringing my gaze to his. “Hey. Where’d you go just now, beautiful?”

There was that word again. Every time he called me that, I got butterflies in my stomach. Each time he said it, it flowed from his mouth easily, letting me know he meant it. After years with Julian, I had never felt more seen than I did in this crowded club right now.

“Sorry. I was in my head a little.”

“Well, we can’t have that. I want all your attention tonight.”

I folded my arms, smirking. “Is that right, Christian?”

Blade’s head ping-ponged between us. “Christian?” he questioned with a smirk.

“What?” I frowned in confusion.

Christian shook his head. “Ignore him. Do you want something to drink?” He pointed to the table that had a huge selection of bottles.

“I’ll take some Casamigos with lemonade.”

Christian made my drink and led me over to where Axel and Kira were. My friend had already indulged in a couple of shots before we came up here, so I knew that’s why she had already let loose and was grinding her ass into Axel. Knowing I was here to have a good time and forget about my troubles, I followed suit.

Christian spun me around, plastering my back to his chest. When he wrapped an arm around my waist, that tingly sensation was back. I twirled my hips, grinding into him. He groaned like a wounded animal before dropping his head next to mine.

“Careful, beautiful,” he spoke into my ear.

Chills ran down my spine at the huskiness in his voice. “Why do I need to be careful?”

“Because you’re about to jump into some water I’m not sure you’re ready to swim in.”

That sounded like a challenge. I spun around, looping my arms around his neck. I tilted my head, staring into his gorgeous eyes. “Something tells me you wouldn’t let me drown.”

He bit his bottom lip, eyeing me lustfully. “You? Never. Me? I’ll drown in your waters until you can’t take anymore.”

I pressed my legs together, completely turned on. He had me more aroused than I have been in my entire life. This man was dangerous. Everything about him oozed sex appeal. I have never had a one-night stand, but in this moment, I knew I wanted to go home with him. I was here to have a good time, and something told me Christian was the man for the job.

“I wouldn’t mind that,” I purred, pressing my breasts against him.

I saw his eyes darken before his hands found my ass, squeezing my cheeks. We were gazing into each other’s eyes, completely lost in each other.

“Look, I don’t know how many other ways to tell you, I’m married and not interested.” A deep voice broke our connection.

I lifted my head and saw Tammy standing in front of a man who was staring at her in annoyance.

“You think you’re not interested, but I promise I’ll show you the time of your life,” Tammy replied while attempting to touch his chest. He swatted her hand away, glaring at her.

This is exactly why I hated going out with Morgan and her friends. Nothing was off-limits to them. Not even a married man. I knew that probably made them look at Kira and me in some type of way. Birds of a feather and whatnot. But only if they knew I despised the fact that they were here with me.

“God, she’s so fuckin’ embarrassing,” I muttered.

Christian turned his attention back to me. “Why hang out with her then?”

“Believe me, it’s not by choice. My little sister bullied her way into my vacation and brought those other two with her. If Kira and I had it our way, we would have left them back at the hotel like we’ve been doing since we’ve been here.”

Christian threw his head back, laughing. When he dropped his head, something caught his eye in the distance, and his eyes widened in shock. He turned to the guy who was still trying to get away from Tammy. “Viper, eight o’clock.”

“Huh?” He held up his wrist, checking his watch. “What are you talking about? It's eleven.”