Page 5 of Full Out Fiend

Most people don’t even realize this alley exists. It connects downtown to the back parking lot, and it’s just wide enough to pass as a cut through.

I drop her hand, then rest my back against the cool bricks and squint through the darkness.

Mirroring my position, she settles against the opposite wall, staring past my shoulder for a moment before she closes her eyes and blows out a long breath.

She’s almost a foot shorter than me. Ideal, really, for appreciating the full, gorgeous tits straining against the white fabric of her dress. I watch as she inhales with eyes still closed, her chest rising in a way that has me holding back a groan.

She’s got this pale, luminous skin framed with a flowing halo of dark curly hair. Her dress fits nicely, but it’s a more modest cut than any other girl in the bar is wearing tonight, which drives me a little insane. A few inches shorter or just a bit tighter and I could get a better idea of every soft, luscious secret she’s hiding.

I’m standing across from an angel in the middle of an alley: the kind of woman who looks like she was custom made for me.

She’s a ten. But she’s curvy as hell with an ass that’s literally two handfuls. So she’s a twelve. I have to clench my fists at my sides to quell the urge to reach out and pull her into me.

We’re close enough that I can see her pulse thrumming in her neck. She must feel my eyes on her, but she doesn’t step away. Doesn’t fidget under my examination. I force myself to look away, granting her a few moments of peace I’m sure she needs if she’s been dealing with pushy bridesmaids all night.

I blow out a long breath as I remind myself that she’s wearing white for a reason.

She’s the bride. More than spoken for. So off limits I should be stalking down this alley without a backward glance.

But instead, I’ll stand here and revel in this little slice of purgatory, then gladly accept my ticket to hell if it means I can be near her for just a little longer.

She breaks the silence first.

“This would be less awkward if one of us actually smoked.”

It’s the dry delivery that confirms this girl is so much more than meets the eye.

“It seemed like you could use a break,” I retort.

Her lips press together in a slight grimace. “Maybe that’s what it looked like to you, but I’m not a damsel in distress who needs saving. I’ve been dealing with that group of women for almost a decade. I had it under control.”

So tonight wasn’t an awkward one-off encounter? Yikes.

“Okay, fine. MaybeIneeded a break and wanted company,” I quip. Turning it back on me is probably a safer angle than questioning her shitty choice in friends.

She lifts her impossibly pale blue eyes, squinting at me as if she’s deciding whether to call me on my bullshit.

“My name’s Fielding, by the way. I know I already introduced myself in there, but yeah…”

It’s not the smoothest line. But I want her to trust me. She just followed a stranger into a dark alley. I don’t want to spook her before we even have a chance to properly introduce ourselves.

She nods once, accepting my reintroduction without challenge. “I’m Daphne.”

I offer her my biggest smile, turning so my shoulder pushes off the bricks before I take a microstep forward. “It’s nice to meet you, Daphne. Do you live around here?”

“Hampton born and raised, although I moved to Chagrin Falls after high school. What about you?”

“I grew up in New York, but my family moved here when my brother and I started high school. I’ve been here ever since.”

“So you’re a townie?”

I grasp at my chest in mock outrage. Sure, I’ve lived in Hampton for fifteen years, but I don’t quite meet the qualifications of a townie. I didn’t grow up here. I didn’t attend the public schools. But I’m not about to offend this woman if that’s her vibe.

“I don’t consider myself your typical townie. But I probably don’t have time to tell you my life story. I’m sure your friends will be texting or calling any second, if they haven’t already.”

Daphne scoffs and turns her head to glance in the direction of the bar. “Joke’s on them. My phone’s off.”

“Really?” I challenge in surprise. Sometimes I forget my phone even has the ability to power off. “Why?”