Page 66 of Her Name in Red

I press my body against his, swaying deliberately. “Maybe we should get out of here. I'm feeling...” I bite my lip, looking up at him. “You know.”

His eyes darken. “Your place, right?”

I nod, giggling again as I pretend to lose my balance. “It's not far. We can walk.”

“Lead the way,” he says practically salivating.

We stumble out into the night, his arm heavy around my shoulders. The cold air hits me, but I don't shiver.

“Which way?” he slurs, looking down at me expectantly.

I point vaguely toward the darker end of the street, away from the main campus area. “Just through the alley. Shortcut, and it’s soooooo nice to have.”

We turn into the alley, the street lights fading behind us, leaving us in shadows. Tyler's hands are all over me now,groping and grabbing like I'm something he bought. His fingers dig into my hips, yanking me back against him.

“Fuck waiting,” he growls, shoving me against the brick wall. His mouth is wet and sloppy on my neck, teeth scraping my skin. He reeks of booze and desperation.

I push against his chest, keeping my voice light. “Hold on, tiger. Let's wait until we get back to my place. I've got drinks, music...”

He laughs, a cruel sound that echoes in the narrow space. His hand clamps around my wrist, twisting until I wince.

“Nah, babe. I think you can show me how much you appreciate me walking you home right here.” He shoves me backward, his weight pinning me to the wall. “Get on your knees.”

The command makes my blood freeze, then boil. I've heard that tone before. Seen that look. My fingers inch toward my purse, feeling for the outline of my knife.

But before I can grab it, a presence materializes behind me. A wall of heat and barely contained rage.

The hair on my neck stands up. I don't need to turn around to know who it is.

Tyler's eyes widen, looking over my shoulder. “The fuck, man? We're busy here.”

I feel Riggs' breath on my neck, the solid warmth of him just inches away. Where the fuck did he come from? Was he following me?

“She's not interested,” Riggs says, his voice so low it's almost a growl.

Tyler's grip tightens on my wrist. “Mind your own business, asshole. The chick and I were just getting to know each other.”

I could handle this myself. I was about to handle this myself. But the way Riggs is standing so close, his body radiating against my back, makes something twist inside me.

“Let go of her wrist,” Riggs says, each word precise and deadly calm.

Tyler's face contorts. “Fuck off! She's coming home with me.”

I feel Riggs shift behind me, his hand coming to rest on my hip. Just a touch, possessive and steadying at once.

“No,” he says simply. “She's not.”

Tyler's eyes narrow, darting between us. “What, is this your girlfriend or something?”

The question hangs in the air. I hold my breath, waiting for Riggs' answer, because no, I’m not.

But I never fucking know what will come out of his mouth, and after earlier tonight, he was acting very boyfriend-like.

“Something like that,” Riggs says, and I can hear the dangerous smile in his voice.

Tyler scoffs, but I see the calculation in his eyes. Sizing Riggs up. Even drunk, he can tell he's outmatched.

“Whatever, man. Plenty of other bitches out tonight.” He releases my wrist.