4

A glutton for punishment, I followed Nathan out of the barn and stood watching, as jerking the door open to his pickup, he climbed in behind the steering wheel and fired the engine to life before throwing the pickup in reverse, he stomped on the gas.

The pickup lurched in response to the harsh treatment before it shot backward on the drive before slamming on the brakes, Nathan jerked it around in a one-eighty, and buried his foot in the gas pedal.

What had just happened? I wondered. What…the…fuck, had just happened? Nathan was insisting that I didn't know who the hell he even was?

Hell—I knew he had secrets! From day one, it had been obvious something powerful ate at him way down deep inside, and he'd always been a little mysterious, with a dark, dangerous, edgy personality.

~~

Shaking myself out of the memories, I gave an inward laugh at just how just little control Nathan had had when I’d set it in my head that he would indeed fuck me, no matter his words that it would never happen.

Needing something to work out the restlessness pumping through my system, I pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a tank top, then, grabbing my purse and car keys, I slammed my way back out the front door. My footfalls, as I made my way toward my pickup, showed the frustration running rampant within me.

Minutes later, pushing my way through the doors of the Bureau's gym, I drew to a stop at seeing the broad, sweaty shoulders and back of the man on the lateral pull-down machine. Even if the full sleeve on his left arm hadn't given him away, the silky, finger tempting, Espresso shot through with Caramel locks, would have.

From where he sat, Nathan watched my reflection through the mirrored wall as he let out a slow breath, his features unreadable.

With an inner shrug, I continued the rest of the way into the gym, staring back at him, before murmuring, “Look, can’t we manage to at least be friends?”

He sat silent, still watching me through the mirror. Finally, he ground out, “Dammit, don’t you get it?” he breathed, agitated.

Shaking my head, tears springing to my eyes, I whispered, “No, Nathan—actually, I don’t get it—I don't get any of what has happened to us!” Then, making my way over to where Nathan continued to sit on the piece of equipment, stiff and motionless, I stretched out my hand, “Friends?”

After a few seconds Nathan heaved a sigh, then stretching out his arm, he grasped my hand murmuring, “Yeah. Sure.” Afterward, climbing off the machine, he stood staring at me for several seconds before turning; he stomped off towards the men's dressing room, grumbling to himself, “I am so fucked!”

~~

Later that evening, I stared at Minx, who had attended Texas A&M after graduating high school, as she informed me we were hanging out at the Lizard Lounge. Afterward taking my hand, she marched across the entryway and up the staircase, then into her bedroom.

Making her way over to her closet, she pulled something out of its depths before tossing it in my direction, exclaiming, “Ho,’ clothes tonight bi-atch!”

The dress she'd tossed at me was a black, cross-back mini that would leave my back bare and my ass close to the same. Its design clearly made to reveal a hell of a lot more skin than it covered.

Holding it up for inspection, I inquired, “So, we whorin' tonight, Lovey?”

Minx’s laughter filled the room as she replied, “Damn right we are! I'm in need of me a nice, large, candy cane.” Then, eyeballing my yoga pants she teased, “Sweetness, I'm in some serious need of some cock hook-up, cause that damn ba-donka-donk of yours, is lookin’ way the fuck too fine, and I'm damn tempted to bite it!”

I choked, then, we both burst out laughing as Minx was pure, one hundred percent heterosexual.

Two hours later, we were strutting our stuff on the way out of Minx’s apartment on six-inch heels toward her car. Showered, shaved, and plucked, as well, wearing our makeup a little more dramatic than usual, we finished off our ensemble by straightening my hair with a flatiron and placing curls throughout Minx’s.

A short time later we were bumped up against the bar, and Minx was shouting over the music, “What's your poison tonight, slut?”

After the day I'd had, I shouted, “Tequila, with a beer chaser to begin with.”

Minx tossed a wink in my direction and then turned to the bartender, giving him our order. It was still early enough that the club wasn't too busy yet, and it didn't take the bartender long to return with our drinks.

Picking my shot up off the counter, I licked the salt off my hand, downed the Jose Cuervo, then bit and sucked the lime that had accompanied it. Feeling the burn of the alcohol as it settled within my stomach, I gave a grimace exclaiming, “Another!”

Minx, holding her own drink, observed my actions, then raising an eyebrow, asked, “That bad today, huh?”

Setting the used lime aside, I picked up my new shot; giving a snort. “You have no idea.”

~~

Three hours later, we were both drunk and out on the dance floor. Beyonce's Dance For You, was blasting out of the speakers, and I was making suggestive moves with my hips when I felt a body slide up against mine, and then begin grinding against me.

Even without Minx's eyes widening before narrowing, I knew who was behind me. Hell, even if I'd been unconscious, I'd have known. His cologne and warmth surrounded me, and I found myself grinding right back. The thick hardness pressed against my ass spurring me on.

Leaning his head down until his lips rested against my ear, Nathan continued to bump and grind against me as he growled, “Yeah. You’re not making this friendship thing between us easy.” Then, with a hoarse, "Fuck!" he released me, and disappeared into the crowd.