Ryan Michele - Wanting You

“Hey ladies. You look beautiful tonight.” Z’s voice had my eyes traveling to him.

“Hi Vann.” Deke’s voice was low and utterly delicious.

“Hey.” I smirked and turned away from him.

“Hey cuz! How’s it going?”

“Oh, so now we’re back to cuz. That’s not what you said this morning,” I said teasingly as Z slid in the booth next to Kinsley and Sawyer leaving Deke to slide in next to me. His smell, the one that engulfed me every time I was near, was already sending me into a tailspin.

“I can’t help it you were half naked this morning. It was a hot way to start my day.” The sound that came from Deke was fierce causing me to jump. Z smiled. “You should have seen it this morning, all these beautiful ladies, barely any clothes on. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.” Z’s arm reached around Sawyer, as a small smile played on her lips.

With Deke sitting so close, I could feel the tension coming off his body. I tried not to react to it and join in the conversation.

“Vann?” Nerves were about to crush me, but I held it together at the sound of his voice.

Turning slowly, I looked in his beautiful blue eyes. “Yeah?”

“You gonna talk to me or ignore me all night?” The tension in his face was still there, but the tone of his voice was calm.

I, as Grams put it, pulled up my big girl panties. “You kissed me goodbye. Remember?”

“Still pissed about that?”

“Not at all.” I smiled, knowing it wouldn’t be a full one.

Deke grabbed my arm. “Come on, we need to talk.”

I didn’t fight as he led me away from the table toward an empty table in the back. “So, you gonna tell me why you left?”

“You gonna tell me why you never called?”

“I was pissed. You left when I needed you.” He shrugged his shoulder.

“So, instead of calling me and talking, you just cut me out. You didn’t answer my calls, texts, or emails?” My anger rose.

“I was a teenager. What did you expect?”

“I was a teenager and didn’t have a choice. I expected you to be by my side like I was for you.” I bit out angrily not even realizing where that was coming from. Deke stared at me as if he didn’t know what to say. Good, maybe I gave him something to think about for a change. “I need a break. Move,” I brushed past Deke. “I’m going to the restroom girls, be back in a few.”

I needed air. A lot of air.

The bathroom was dark and small, but clean. Sitting down, I laid my head in my hands. What in the hell was I going to do? What the hell was I thinking, being ‘friends’ with Deke?

A woman’s loud voice boomed as she walked into the bathroom. “Can you believe he blew me off?”

“No. I can’t,” some random other girl answered.

“I guess I need to wait ‘til later, but Deke will be mine tonight.”

“He’ll be up for it. I hear he always is.”

“I’m ready for my turn. I’ve waited too damn long for him.”

As I sit there listening to this conversation, I could only wonder when I would get my chance with him. How sick was that?

“Just flash your boobs and he’ll come.” The woman laughed.

“He is a boob guy,” she said, adjusting her boobs and pulling them so her cleavage was spilling out.

I could hear the smile in her voice. Looking down at my own cleavage, I reached my hand in and push them up a bit more, showing even more. What was I doing? Ugh.

Hearing the door slam, I finally escaped the bathroom. I thought I needed space from Deke, but now I needed space from the bathroom. Why did these women act like this?

I shouldn’t give a shit. Fuck him.

Heading to the bar, I needed a drink—a strong one. Ordering tequila shots, I begin shooting them one by one. Glancing over at our table, Deke’s eyes were boring into mine.

Quickly, I looked away, slammed another shot and headed out to the dance floor. At least out there, I could get lost in the music and just move. Closing my eyes, my body began to move. The fog in my mind caused by Deke started to slowly clear.

I felt arms grip my hips, and upon turning saw a handsome man with blonde hair and a strong jaw smiling at me. Leaning down to my ear, he said, “I’m Blake.”

“Hi. I’m Vann.” I reached up, pulling him closer to me by the shirt. “Dance with me.”

“Absolutely.”

Turning around, I closed my eyes and began to grind against him. At least I turned him on—that much I could tell. Sweat began streaming down my body, while Blake’s hands groped every inch of me. I didn’t stop him. I wasn’t going home with him, but it was nice to feel wanted.

Suddenly, strong arms pulled me from Blake’s grip. My eyes flew open to see Deke standing in front of me.

“Hey man, go find your own,” Blake barked behind me. My eyes were glued to the blue ones staring in front me.

“Fuck off,” Deke growled, his eyes never leaving mine.

Blake’s hand gripped my arm tightly, pulling my attention away from Deke. “Come on.”

“Ow. Stop!” I yelled, trying to yank my arm out of his grasp.

“Let. Her. Fucking. Go.” Deke’s low rumble turned into one of the scariest things I had ever heard. There was something else laced in his voice. But Blake didn’t seem to want to back down.

“She’s been practically dry humping me out here. She’s mine.”

“Fuck off. I haven’t been doing shit. I’m not going home with you!” I yelled.

“You heard the lady, now piss off.”

“You fucking bitch.” Blake’s grip got tighter before shoving me into Deke’s arms.

Deke caught me and steadied my feet before his entire body changed, becoming stiff and unyielding. He stepped in front of me, and I couldn’t help but touch his back, pulling on his shirt, and holding for dear life. “Deke, come on,” I tried yelling over the music.

My words fell on deaf ears as Deke’s arm flew out, his hand connecting with Blake’s chin. Blake instantly fell hard on the floor, gripping his face. Three mountainous bouncers came from out of nowhere, pulling Blake up off the ground.

“Get him out of here now,” Deke instructed the guys.

With nods, the very large men dragged Blake off the dance floor. Deke grabbed my hand, pulling me along. Directing me through the crowd, he pushed through a large door with me hot on his heels. I hated to admit it to myself, but I wanted to follow him.

After getting through the door, Deke slammed it shut. Grabbing me, he pushed me against it, meeting my eyes. My breath caught, no words coming out of my mouth. He was so close. “Are you okay?” Deke’s soft tone caught me off guard. I thought with all the anger rolling off him, his words would be harsh, but I was wrong.

“I’m fine,” I whispered breathlessly.

“You sure?” Deke’s hand grazed the spot where Blake had gripped my arm. Looking down, I could see the red handprint imprinted on my arm, but I could feel the electrifying tingle from Deke’s touch, which was so much better than the angry red marks.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

Deke’s hand grazed my cheek, pushing the hair behind my ear ever so slowly. I felt my heartbeat pick up its pace and my breath hitch. Staring into his eyes, I could once again see the boy I’d left all those years ago.

Vann’s body trembled from my touch, her lips slowly parting as she inhaled. I took that as my cue. My fingers threaded through the back of her beautifully soft, long hair and gave a small tug.

Vann’s eyes opened wide as she gasped. I didn’t wait for her words. I needed to taste her. Plunging my lips onto hers, I coaxed them open, sliding my tongue in with ease. Her response was immediate, her tongue following mine, move for move.