Reckless Retribution (West Warriors Book 1) (19 page)

“She’s inside,” Jamie’s voice startled me, as he appeared by my side, looking at me cautiously. I nodded, acknowledging what he’d said to me, and stood up straight to walk back inside. “Look, I’m sorry, Lauren.” He shook his head, sighing. “I do like you a lot. It’s just…” he trailed off.

“Kal. I get it.”

“You don’t understand.” He looked down at the floor.

“Yes, I do. I understand that you’ve given up your whole life to fight, and Kal has strict control over what you can and can’t do.” Kal told me himself the guys had stringent lives, and that was what made them great fighters. Jamie almost winced at my words and looked a little hurt, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for him. He’d chosen to live that way. “I’m not being teased, Jamie. We need to just stay friends. Please?” I begged. I hoped us kissing hadn’t ruined any kind of friendship we had before.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and didn’t say anything. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking or how he was feeling. I knew I didn’t want him saying anything that would suck me back in.

“I’m gonna go find, Taylor,” I said quietly, and stepped away from him, but he took my arm and halted me. Turning to face him, he suddenly grabbed my face and placed a long, passionate kiss on my lips. Fighting through my overwhelming need for him, I did what was right and gently pushed him away from me. “You can’t keep doing this.” My voice was almost a whisper.

“I can’t stay away from you. Please? Please, let me kiss you.” His eyes searched mine and my stomach churned. I felt torn between what I desperately wanted—him—and my rational thought of knowing this was going to end up in heartbreak on my side.

“The way I feel when I kiss you, Lauren….”

I squeezed my eyes shut to drown out his words and not let them affect me. When I opened them, the heartfelt look was still there in his eyes. From his expression, I knew
he
was torn between what he wanted and wanting to stay true to Kal. Thoughts of what would happen if he ever did find out flooded my mind. I would be out of a job, and Jamie—well, I’m not too sure what Kal would say or do.

Breaking my thoughts, he tilted my chin up to him and placed another soft, lingering kiss on my mouth. This time, I was powerless. I couldn’t stop him and tell him no. Because I liked him, and he liked me. Moving my mouth back against his, I silently made a decision. I was just going to ride it out because I would regret it if I didn’t. If it stopped tomorrow, I would just have to deal with it. Aware of our surroundings, my lips left his. “You can’t do this out here. Kal, remember?” I reminded him and gestured to the people around us happily enjoying their nights and completely oblivious to our predicament. I felt a touch of envy at the couples with their seemingly uncomplicated relationships.

“Fuck Kal for a minute. I don’t want to be kissing you and thinking of him.” He screwed up his face, and with defiance, he kissed me again with a little too much enthusiasm for anyone to be doing in public. “Come home with me?” he murmured in my ear.

“Bad idea, Jamie.” I shook my head, protesting. Us trying to leave both our friends would be too risky. None of them needed to know about this.

“Why?” he whispered, lowering his lips to my neck.

If he kept doing that, I was going to jump him right here. His lips moved south to my collarbone, and my eyes fluttered shut again. He had the ability to make me forget where and who I was in an instant. “God, Jamie,” I said breathlessly.

He let out a groan. “I want to hear that. I want to hear you say my name that way in my bed.”

Hearing him say those words like that made me throb between my legs. I was ready to explode. “Okay,” I agreed. Right now, I wanted to be in his bed more than anything.

“What?” His eyes widened in surprise.

“Okay,” I repeated, unable to hide the anticipation on my face.

“You say when and we’ll go,” he said huskily, cocking an eyebrow. “C’mon.” He grabbed my hand and led me back inside. Navigating us through the crowds, we neared the rest of the guys, and he dropped my hand discreetly, but not before giving it a little squeeze. At the opposite side of the bar, I spotted Taylor and Jake. Jamie stood with the guys, and Cam raised an eyebrow at him and glanced in my direction as I passed. When I caught him, it instantly dropped. We hadn’t exactly concealed the fact we’d been gone for ages and happened to return back together.

Appearing by Taylor’s side again, I was worried she would want an explanation why I kept leaving. I was going to go with the lie that I saw some friends. We were in a busy club, so that was completely possible. I caught Jamie’s eyes from across the room, and a small grin was on his face. I couldn’t help blushing. I watched as he pulled out his cell from his pocket like he’d just received a text, and a slight panic rose in my chest in case it was Kal.

“Where have you been?” Taylor slurred, as she whipped her hair around to see me.

I quickly turned my attention to her. She sounded wasted. “I’m sorry. I saw some friends.” I cringed inside for having to deceive her. She rolled her eyes at me and almost fell asleep doing it, and I wondered just how long I’d been gone with Jamie. The feeling of my cell buzzing against my thigh distracted me from her. Taking it out of my purse, I saw it was a text from Jamie.
I can’t wait to get you naked.

I dropped my jaw in shock at his suggestive words. I looked over at him, shook my head in mock disapproval, and quickly put the phone back in my purse. He just casually shrugged. Cocky boy. Turning my attention back to Taylor again, she was now using Jake’s arm to prop herself up. She was drunk.
Great!
I knew there and then that I couldn’t possibly leave her this way. Alone with Jake. Boyfriend or not, I was not about to let him take her home when she was this drunk, especially because they had only just repaired their relationship. Again.

I brushed her dark hair away from her face and sighed. I was torn with wanting to be with Jamie and being there for her. I knew Jamie would be pissed if I couldn’t go home with him after I said I would.But I had to do what was right. I walked over to the bar and ordered Taylor a water. Jamie came to stand beside me, resting his tanned forearms on the bar. The devilish look in his eyes made me blush again, but my embarrassment over his text soon faded, because I was about to dampen his spirits. I grabbed the water holding a $10 bill out to the bartender, and Jamie swiftly took it from my fingers. “On me. Another beer please.” He nodded to the waiter, who quizzically watched our exchange then went to get Jamie his beer. He held my money up between two of his fingers and gave it back to me.

“Thank you.” I smiled at him and put it back in my purse.

“Your friend’s pretty hammered.” He looked over his shoulder at Taylor, who appeared to be sleeping on Jake’s shoulder.

“I know. Look, about that, I can’t leave her like this. I’m going to have to take her home.” I cringed, bracing myself for his reaction.

“You what?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

“She’s wasted.”

“She’s got a fucking boyfriend,” he griped a bit too loudly.

“I know. He’s also a douche like you already know. I don’t trust him.”

“So what, you’re not coming home with me then?” he asked, looking offended.

I shushed him, looking around in case anyone heard him. “We’ll have to figure something out.”

“You’re not blowing me off for your friend.” He shook his head, standing up straight.

He obviously did not understand the rules of sisterhood. One does not leave one’s friend inebriated. “Don’t be so selfish. I’ll take her home in a cab, and then I’ll come to yours.”

He took a big swig of his beer. “Fine.”

He was acting like a little kid who’d been told he couldn’t have candy. “I’ll see you later,” I promised. He didn’t respond, and I knew he was doubting whether I would actually go back to his place or not. I walked back to Taylor and gave her the water, encouraging her to drink some of it while I helped hold the bottle to her mouth.

“I wanna go home,” she wailed. She could hardly keep her eyes open, and when she did, they were glazed over. I wondered what drinks Jake had been plying her with.

“I know,” I sympathized. I wanted to get her home quickly too. I nodded to the beer in Jake’s hand, silently willing him to hurry up and finish it. He put the bottle to his mouth and drank the remaining contents.

Cam appeared by my side. “Hey, we’re leaving. Do you wanna ride?” he asked, shooting a sly glance at Jake.

“We’re gonna get a cab, but thanks. I need to make sure she gets home.” I looked down to Taylor, who was now resting her head on my shoulder. “Thanks though.” I smiled appreciatively.

“Okay, later.” He walked away, back to the others, and shrugged at Jamie who was watching me warily. I smiled over at him and he nodded. Unspoken words radiated from him, and I felt guilty, but I knew my priorities lay with my hammered friend, and I’d be damned if I let Jake take her home while she was like this.

“Right, let’s go get a cab,” I said to Jake, and lightly shook my shoulder to wake a drowsy Taylor. We walked to the exit, and I couldn’t help but think about how at this point in the night I should be doing what most normal girls would be doing, excitedly telling their best friend how they were about to go and hook up with one of the hottest guys to ever walk this earth. It bummed me to think that I couldn’t do that. I had to keep it quiet from everyone.

The air outside had turned a lot colder, but it was a welcome feeling from the stuffiness of the club. I hoped it would sober Taylor up a little. I stood her against the wall to stop her from falling over as Jake, and his friends came out noisily behind us. After lots of back slaps and playful punches, he parted ways from them and eventually hailed us a cab. I stepped into the car first, guiding Taylor behind me. Jake was literally at her rear, making sure she didn’t miss the step into the cab. She unevenly clambered in and collapsed in a heap on the seat next to me. Fastening her seat belt, I asked her where she was staying tonight, praying to God she wasn’t going to say Jake’s.

“Home,” she replied, yawning. Jake frowned childishly and asked her why. “I just need my bed,” she said, as she lay her head back on the seat.

Jake sat in silence and didn’t question her anymore. I smiled inwardly. I sent a quick text to Jamie.
I’ll be at yours in twenty mins.

His text came back instantly.
You better be. Otherwise, I’m coming to yours!

I didn’t like that threat. He of all people knew better than to joke about that.
I’ll be there,
I replied.

I made sure Jake was dropped off first. I didn’t trust him not to take her home. He gave me some money toward the cab, and I didn’t hesitate to take it.

“Call me tomorrow, babe.” He placed a kiss on the side of her forehead and she mumbled something back to him, which neither of us understood.

Ten minutes later, we pulled up at her house, and I asked the cab driver to wait for me while I took her to her door. Her stiletto heels buckled on the gravel as we made our way through the big iron gates, and she clung to me to stop herself from falling flat on her face.

Grabbing her keys from her purse, I unlocked the door and helped her inside, where she immediately stumbled around the cold marble floor, taking off each shoe. They clattered as she let them both drop to the floor, regardless of the fact her parents were sleeping upstairs. I placed her keys in the inside lock.

“Lock the door behind me,” I instructed her, as she swayed on the spot. I couldn’t help but laugh at her and walked the few steps to give her a big hug.

“Thanks, Lo, you’re the bestest friend ever,” she slurred, holding herself up with one arm on the wall as I released her.

“Night.” I chuckled again, closing the door shut behind me, listening for the turn of the lock. Eventually, she locked it, with a lot of thudding coming from the opposite side of the door. When the hallway light turned off, I walked back to the cab that was waiting patiently and headed for Jamie’s.

When the cab pulled up outside his house, I glanced at my watch. It was 11:30. I paid the driver and nervously walked to Jamie’s door. My heart was pounding in anticipation of us being alone. I’d never been completely alone with him. I gently knocked on the door, and he opened it seconds later. As soon as I saw him, my nerves vanished. He’d changed into sweats and one of his tight fitting T-shirts. “Glad you made it,” he teased, grinning. I let out a small laugh and walked through the door he was holding open for me. “Drink?” he offered.

“Please.” I followed him into his kitchen, which was immaculate, not a thing out of place. “Did you tidy up for me?” I mocked.

“Yeah, so you can do your womanly thing and cook for me.” He grinned again.

“You chauvinistic pig.” I smacked his arm.

“I’ve been called worse.” He laughed.

“I can imagine.”

He let his jaw drop playfully as he grabbed two beers out of the fridge and handed me one. Taking it from him, I remembered what Cam said to him at the diner. “So, am I your ‘chick you get to bang’ tonight?” I asked, taking a sip of my beer.

“That’s just guy talk.” He shook his head and looked down at his feet. It humored me to see him embarrassed that I’d reminded him of that chat. I noticed a picture in a frame of his mom and dad on the granite countertop next to me. Picking it up, I examined his parents closer, remembering his sweet embrace with them at the fight.

“What are you doing?” he asked curiously, walking over to me. He placed his hands on either side of me on the counter, looking down at the picture in my hands. “They’re my parents.” He smiled, looking so damn cute.

I knew they were; he must have forgotten I saw them at the fight. “They look nice.” I smiled up at him.

“They are.” He smiled back again.

Your sister wasn’t so nice,
I wanted to say. He took the frame out of my hands, setting it back down in its place, and brought his gaze back to me. I could feel my legs turning to Jell-O again. He had the nicest set of brown eyes that had the ability to turn my insides into mush in a nanosecond. Inching his body closer to mine, he pressed against me and placed a toe-curling, lingering kiss on my lips then pulled away. “Go sit.” He nodded toward the front room.