9. Bryanna

I drive home in a daze, my mind keeps replaying Lincoln’s sad eyes. And each time, the feeling in my stomach worsen. Now after everything was out, I begin to think that maybe I over-reacted. Maybe Lincoln was just looking out for me. Maybe he thought of me as his little sister he should protect. Maybe Adrian was right.

Oh, God ....

But, no! He doesn't deserve my guilt. After ... after that, he doesn't deserve anything from me.

Damn it! Why do I have this conflicting feelings?

I bang my head to the headrest, hoping the hurt will distract me from this gnawing feeling I feel within. I couldn’t find any satisfaction I thought I would feel. When everything is said and done, what was left is–

A vibrating sound interrupts my train of thoughts. I glance at the lit up screen before turn left and lead my car to the assigned parking lot. I unlock my phone.

Nate : wanna hangout tonight?

Joy instantly kicks the worry out of my head and fulfills the space inside the car. My heart begins to race in excitement. With a smile spread so wide on my face, I tap, tap, tap my reply away.

Me : I’d love to!

Three dots dancing on the screen before his reply comes through.

Nate : Gonner. 8?

Gonner? A club? Dancing? “Eeeek,” I shriek. My heart is running a mile a minute at the thought of all the posibilities tonight might bring.

My phone buzzes again.

Nate : Yo, Bry. You in?

Oh my God! I hadn’t text him back! My thumbs flies on the screen.

Me : Yes, of course! See you there.

Nate replies with *can’t wait* and a winking face at the end.

Here it comes my racing heart again.

****

I carefully choose my clothes. A burgundy satin tank, dark gray distressed jeans, ankle-boots and a jacket to ward off the chilly night air. I Lyft to Gonner at seven thirty.

Gonner is owned by a friend of Adrian so we frequented this club from time to time. When I see Zach, the bouncer at the door, I give him a smile. He nods his bald head to me and unlatching the rope to let me pass. Protests from those who’s been standing in line to get in shadows my way into the hottest club in New York City.

I make my way between the throng of people seeking and enjoying good time. Scrutinizing the room, I look for a certain blonde head and find him leaning against the bar, flocked by three girls. He says something and the girls throws their head back in laughter. One of them is grazing Nate’s chest with her pointy finger.

Okay then.

I know I don’t have the right to feel this jealousy--yet, but as I said before, my heart wants what it wants. Now, it wants me to storm there and lay my claim.

I--regretfully--didn’t do any of that though, I can’t. Not with this many people.

And to act like a crazy possessive girlfriend? Nope, not me.

Nate sees me trudging down to him and he gives me his trademark smirk. Realizing the shift of his attention, those girls starts to leave him. But, not before giving me some sharp glances and evil eyes.

Few more steps and then we are toes to toes. “Hi, Beautiful,” he greets, smirk still on, his exceptional ocean eyes even more captivating under the dim light.

“Hi,” I echo lamely.

Sigh, Bry.

Just ... give it to me to act like an idiot in front of a crush.

“I thought you bail.”

I ignore his statement because the smell of a fruity scent from his breath. “You already had a drink, hm?”

He chuckles, “Yeah, the redhead bought me a cocktail. It’s rude to refuse someone’s treat, right?”

Well, if he said it like that ....

Heavy-heartedly, I agree, “I think so.”

He chuckles. “So.” Nate turns around, not having any ideas of what I’m feeling right now. “Pick your poison before we dance.”

Casting my unfounded jealousy aside, I perk up at the mention of a dance. “Tequila, please.”

He flagged down the bartender. A shot and a Tequila materializing on the counter in a flash. Nate take a shot and raise his hand. “To tonight,” he says in my ear.

I take a healthy gulp of my liquid courage. To tonight, indeed.

“So, what about that dance?”

I smile as he grabs my hand and leads us to the center floor, where bodies gyrating and moving along with the beat of the music. He turns me so we’re back to front; my back to his front. This position is a recipe for trouble.

But, everything with Nate pretty much like it.

Nate put his hands on my hips. His thumbs finds their way inside from the hem of my tank top and this little contact sets fire through my body. He caresses my skin slowly, smoothly, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Oh my God, that feels so good. His fingertips feels so good. I cannot resist what is coming out of my mouth. “Nate,” I moan.

I. Freaking. Moan.

Thank God no one is paying attention. They’re too busy on their own.

I hear Nate chuckles. The sound reverberates on my skin. His breath tickles my neck, turning me into a puddle of flesh and bones eager to do anything he order. “Dance, Beautiful,” he whispers in my ear.

Enchanted, I move.

My hips sways at their own accord. My hands lifts and they snakes until they find the back of his neck. My eyes are closed. I lean my head back on his shoulder. Nate peppers kisses on the exposed area between my neck and shoulder.

I shiver in pleasure.

I lost myself to the beat and the drunken feelings Nate’s touch and presence caused. I never feel so out of control before.

But, I get to admit that I like it.

Nate’s hands now beneath my tank, his long fingers spreads on both side of my body, his warm touch wreaking havoc inside me. I never thought I could be this turn on only by dancing, but it is what it is. I am seconds away from melting in Nate’s arms.

Like he thought he didn’t do enough, he runs the tip of his nose along my neck. He stops at one spot under my ear, grazing it lightly with his teeth. My heart jumps at his playful but calculated touch on my already heated skin. I don’t think I can handle any more.

“Beautiful.”

The whispered nickname is what encourage me to take the leap.

I spin on my heel. Without giving myself a chance to second guess anything, I pull him by the nape of his neck and slam my lips to his. Nate immediately return the kiss as if he already knew.

Of course he knew.

There, in the middle of the dance floor, I kiss Nate and he kisses me back. I give my all to that kiss. In hope that from now on, my kiss is the only kiss he want.

Because his, is all I ever want.

****