Page 8 of Untamed
“Nope.” He pauses, smiles, provokes like usual. “Didn’t.”
My eyes drift back to Grayer, but keep moving so it doesn’t look like I’m staring. Haylee shoves Joel’s shoulder as he’s backing up, his arms spread wide. “You’re a fuckin’ liar.”
Haylee and me . . . we’re not exactly lady-like. We’re the tell it like it is, junk punch you for lookin’ at us wrong type of chicks.
Little Miss Innocent, she’s nothing like that. Look at Violet’s face beside him. She’s pink-cheeked and uncomfortable with our choice of words.
Everyone looks at me. And I do mean everyone. Including Grayer. But he’s not giving me the appraising look the others are. He looks pissed, and not at me. Backlit by the bonfire, it’s enough to see the outlining of his jaw flexing as he grinds his teeth together. I can see his exhalations in the air, quick, steamy bursts as his chest rises and falls. It’s hot seeing him upset, but who’s he pissed at? Joel?
I follow his cold gritty stare and sure enough, it’s on Joel. His posture stiffens, the grip on his bottle tightening and I imagine, satisfyingly, him breaking the bottle against Joel’s thick head. Call me crazy, but I like a man who shows his anger. I don’t trust anyone who hides their emotions behind a wall of silence.
Joel gives me a nod, his question of, “Looking for trouble tonight?” directed my way.
I hate you. You’ve ruined me and Jamie.
My heart stutters and takes a nosedive. The anger, the adrenaline, the alcohol, they’re not done with me yet. It fuels my too loud, too emotional words. “Maybe I am lookin’ for trouble, but it won’t be with you.” Violet’s eyes snap to mine, and I smile at the too good, too pure girl holding the devil’s hand. “Honey, do yourself a favor and leave him before he ruins you, too.”
“Fuck you, ya dumb cunt. No one asked for your opinion, Maesyn!” Joel shouts, red-faced and pissed someone called him out on his shit. Or is he more upset I’m not giving it up to him anymore?
What a fuck . . .
I don’t finish my thoughts when the gravel shifts and suddenly someone’s standing next to me. “I’m pretty sure she didn’t ask for yours either,” he says, voice alight with irritation, so low and rough like the scrape of fine grit sandpaper. I let my vision drift back to the spark that held me on the other side of the fire. The one I’m drawn to. The one with pretty eyes and bathed in smoky night light. He’s standing beside me now and he’s . . . upset? His muscles bunch and tense. His mouth is set in a straight firm line, but he appears distracted staring murderously at Joel.
Damn, this guy’s badass. I picture him and me, together, our proximity close, against his truck. My body arching against him and him freeing himself, barely shoving his jeans down yet inside me, sliding in and out. . . .
Shit, stop the nonsense. This is getting out of control.
I’d love to see Joel get what’s coming to him. His anger’s like a shooting star. It comes quick and out of nowhere, and it’s goddamn beautiful.
Joel’s eyebrows lift in surprise, blinking with uncertainty. “Excuse me?”
I lift my head to watch Joel, glaring venomously at him. Haylee nudges my ribs. “Damn.”
Grayer laughs sarcastically, straightening his posture and squaring his shoulders. “Pretty sure you heard me loud and clear.”
The crowd shifts, the sky rumbling, and I wonder why this guy’s defending my honor and we’ve never met.
“Do you know him?” Haylee asks, watching their interaction. Joel is standing now, holding onto the neck of his beer. His grip tells me he’s threatened by Grayer and judging by the stance of the bull rider I can’t look away from, it’s warranted. I wouldn’t mess with this guy if I were him.
I shrug, twirling the ends of my braided feathers in my hair. Leaning into the tailgate, I glance at Grayer. “I knowofhim, but I don’t know him.”
I wish I did.
Her smile pulls wider. “Ah, I see.”
Joel turns away, like he knows a fight wouldn’t do him any good and the chances of him winning against Grayer are slim to none.
Grayer’s relaxed, leaning into the truck, crossing his arms over his chest. The sleeves of his shirt pulling tight, biceps bulging and flexing. His eyes drift to mine, raking over me and I feel naked. He should wear a warning. Panties may drop if you make eye contact.
The heat of the fire stings my cheeks, but I smell rain coming.
“What just happened?” Haylee asks, laughing and bringing the beer in her hand to her lips. She takes a drink, then another, watching Grayer from across the fire.
“I’m not sure,” I admit. This guy seems like trouble, doesn’t he? Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to find out. Just as I’m about to approach him, the worst song in the entire world comes on the radio.
My eyes snap to Joel when he cranks it, winking at me. What a fucker.
Non-violent Violet’s about to meet Menacing Mad Maesyn. She’s like Mad Max, but girly, and blonde. And half the size and without the dead wife and kid. Okay, maybe not similar at all. Except for the pissed off part.
Joel wants a fight with me and I’m gonna show him what this girl’s made of.
