Going For The Gap

My stomach swirls with nerves when Charles starts sauntering over towards me at the bar. I'd carefully avoiding this all evening after what happened in Mexico, choosing to instead dance with strangers downstairs all night.

I didn't even want to show to his party. Didn't even want to risk it.

But I'd told him I would, and I'm a woman who keeps my word. So here I am. Took the first chance I got to drag Daniel to dance with me. When he tired, I stuck it out. Desperately trying to avoid it.

Now my heels are starting to annoy me and the urge for tequlia hitting me hard. I'd hoped Charles would be downstairs or well, anywhere else but here by now. But no such luck.

"You look amazing." He opens, ordering me my signature drink for me before I can.

And I'm not the only one. His shirt is mostly unbuttoned, a sign of a good evening for the birthday boy. Abs exposed.

Fuck me.

It's too hard being around him.

Too damn tempting.

"You don't look so bad yourself birthday boy." I give him a smile, it is his special day after all.

"You like me." He whispers, leaning too closely to me. He's clearly deep in his cups.

Nevertheless, his piercing eye contact makes my heart beat a little faster. One drink not enough, I order another within seconds. Looking anywhere but in his eyes.

"No," I lie and we both know it "But you like me." I'm teasing him now, keeping it anything but serious. I can't do this.

Not now. Not here.

"Yes." He owns up to it, and now I can't help but look him in the eyes. Green orbs that reveal he's telling the truth.

Why is he saying this now?

He's just drunk and wants to get laid.

And I won't do that to myself again.

I feel too much for casual hookups with him.

I can't.

"Would you come home with me tonight?" He asks me the questions I knew was next.

My heart screams yes.

But it's high time I let my head win.

"No." I say firmly, hoping it's convincing him.

If anything, it's making him want me more. His eyes stray to drink me in, undressing me with his eyes. I feel exposed. Hornier than I want to be.

When he skims his finger by the out line of my pants, I nearly give him.

But sexual chemistry isn't why I'm saying no. "I want you to say yes," He says, weakening my resolve by the second. His finger feels electronic on me and when he removes it slowly he can clearly see the desire in my eyes. Poker face gone."I think you want to say yes." He pushes further.

Daring me to say yes. Heat behind his yes signaling longing. And oh, do I know what those fingers can do all too well.

I have no words. The last of my resolve is fading rapidly, so I just shake my head no.

"You're lying." He calls me on my shit. He's not wrong either. I love when he calls the bullshit. It's always turned me on far too much.

I do want to. But I also want to protect myself.

"No, I'm not interested." It takes every last bit of my strength to say the words. I know I should walk away, and fast or I won't be able to keep this up.

"I think you are interested," He closes the gap between us so much I can feel his every inhale and exhale. I'm clearly not the only one affected here. "If I slid my hand across you right now, would you be wet?"

Yes.

I'm shaken up as fuck now. His eyes tell me he knows it too. I can't even find the words. Fighting to just not lean in and lay one on him right now.

"What would I find Amelia?" A wicked grin spreads across his face. My breathing is hitched and he knows it. He knows just what turns me on.

I'm royally fucked.

I'm one second away from going home with him when Daniel calls out for me and breaks the trance.

"I thought I lost you!" He slides up beside me, unaware of the insane sexual tension between us right now.

Giving me the strength to look away. To come to my senses.

Damn Charles playing with me like this.

He knows I have feelings, he's just being cruel. Trying to take the easy target to bed tonight.

Well, fuck that.

"Only to tequlia," I turn to face the smiling Aussie and match his grin as best as I can. Trying my best to ignore the fact that my panties are in fact dripping.

Charles tenses beside me. It strikes a nerve with him, Daniel and I.

Good. Serves him right.

"Want to get out of here?" Daniel asks and I use all my strength to nod.

I need to get out of here and I'll do something I regret.

"Happy birthday mate! Great party." Ever the friendly guy, Daniel slaps Charles arm. Not noticing the fact I can't even look at him right now. Without a goodbye, I follow Daniel out the door.