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My pussy aches for him. He’s looking deliciously handsome tonight. I can’t take my eyes off him and from what I can tell, many other girls can’t either. So far, I have seen at least ten women eyefuck James.

We make our way through the crowd at the gala, Dan greets a couple of the guests he knows. But I feel a hand on my bare back ever since I walked in. James. If I’m not mistaken, he’s basically eyefucking me ever since he saw me walk out the bathroom. Same goes for me.

His shirt is a perfect fit for him. Showing off his muscular body and the way the jacket hugs his shoulders makes me wonder how broad his shoulders are. I want to touch him. I want to do things to him.

I want to ride him.

What? No!

I swear to god, I can’t think straight around this man.

“Would you like a drink?” James asks me. One? Or ten?

“Sure.”

“I’ll be right back.” James leaves to get a drink and suddenly my back feels lonely. I look around, George and Siddharth are nowhere to be found and Daniel is still busy talking to someone.

“Drink?” a voice from behind asks me.

“That was fast, James.” I turn around to find a handsome blonde towering over me. Fuck. He’s gorgeous. Beautiful green meadow-y eyes. Chiselled jaw with a little stubble which definitely suits him. And a smell that drives me crazy. Yep. He’s handsome as hell. The devil himself. I know I said that blonds are not my type, but fuck! This man is utter beauty!

“You know me?” He offers me a glass of champagne. I am sceptical enough to think that it might be drugged. “Relax. I just picked it up from the trays going around.” He takes a sip from the glass and then offers it to me. “Here.” I smile. “And she smiles!” he licks his lips and man does that make me wet. I need to get laid!

“So your name is James?” I accept the drink from him.

“Cole James Hariett.'' He offers his hand to shake and I shake his hand. But he doesn’t let go. The pad of his thumb caresses the back of my hand and it sends shivers through my body. Yep. Definitely need to get laid as soon as possible.

“So, Cole…” I pull my hand out of his grip. “What do you do?” he leans towards me and whispers in my ear.

“I can do you.” he leans back and winks at me. I find that equally gross and hot. If we weren’t in public I would definitely throw him against the wall and kiss the hell out of him. What the hell is wrong with me? A stranger just whispered into your ear that he wants to fuck you and this is how you act? Great! Shame on you, Riya!

“That’s one way of talking to a stranger for the first time, Cole.” I turn around to look for James. Cole walks around in front of me.

“What’s your name, Sweetheart?” Something in my stomach churns. It’s not the butterflies of excitement anymore. When James called my sweetheart, it makes my heart flutter like a freaking butterfly. There is so much care when he calls me ‘sweetheart’ as opposed to now.

“Not your ‘sweetheart’” I do the air quotes. I’m a little annoyed now.

This stranger Cole is very clingy. And it irks me a little. “Then what do you go by?” he flashes me a smirk which I’m sure would melt off women’s panties. Not mine though. Mine are staying on. Because that is the only piece of underwear that I am wearing right now.

“I–”

“None of your business Harriett.” James returns with two drinks in his hand. He hands me the whiskey and takes the champagne from my hand and puts it away.

Okay…

It is obvious they have beef among them. “You guys know each other?” If looks could kill, they’d both be dead by now. Men.

There’s a little disappointment on Cole’s face. And something else I can’t quite put my finger on. His eyes stay focused on James. “Williams and I go back all the way to high school.” he looks back at me. “Didn’t know you were his date.”his tone is suddenly rougher than a few seconds ago.

“I’m not his date.” I say almost too quickly. I mean, James didn’t specifically ask me to be his date. He said ‘Do you want to tag along with us?’ Okay. Maybe he didn’t say ‘with us’. But he also didn’t specify that he wanted me to be his date.

Cole’s expression turns mischievous. “I’ll see you around, sweetheart.” he runs his finger on my cheek before walking away. That guy is so Hot and Cold! I hate it! So indecisive.

“I’m not your–” and he’s gone. “Asshat.” James chuckles.

“Picked that one up from Sid?” I didn’t even realise that. But I like ‘Asshat’. Has a nice ring to it. I just shrug.

“He is an asshole though.” James puts his hand on my back again and it feels like all is right in the world. Although, I sense a history here.

“Are you going to tell me a story about how you two fell for the same woman and she broke up two best friends?” James chuckles, but he’s forcing it.

“Something like that.” He doesn't elaborate and I don’t push him either.

“His mother…” His nostrils flare. “Nevermind.” he shakes his head. Okay, so it was a woman. Did James sleep with his mother? I don’t think he is the type of man who would do that though. I know he is a fuckboy, but I’m sure that he wouldn’t do that to his friends.

He takes a sip of his whiskey. He looks around and eyes widen.

“Excuse me. I’ll be back in a minute.” he takes two steps away before coming back and pulling me away with him.

“Where are we going?”

“Daniel.” he chugs the rest of his drink and puts the glass on a random table. “And I can’t leave you alone, can’t afford another random asshole hitting on you!” Jealousy? Nah! No way. Why would he even be jealous?

He drags me through the crowd, my Jimmy Choo barely keeping up with me. We reach Daniel and he’s talking to someone. “Sorry to cut in, Mr Martinez.” James hugs the other man. I tidy my dress, so that I don’t step on it.

Daniel is standing with an older man. Possibly in his 50s. If it weren’t for the crows feet next to his eyes, I wouldn’t have guessed his age. He looks…too fit! “Marcus! How have you been?” He slaps James’s back.

“All good sir.” James flashes him a fake smile which is very awkward and visibly fake. It’s like he’s not even trying.

I take a look at Daniel and he seems very uncomfortable.

“And who is this beautiful young woman?” This older man approaches me.

“Riya.” I offer him my hand and he kisses the back of my hand. The way he holds my hand feels so off. And even the way he looks at me makes me uncomfortable. His grip lingers on my hand despite me trying to pull it away. Dan finally cuts him in and gently pushes him away from me.

“Dad.” Dad? Shit! That makes sense. They have the same teal eyes. When I first saw Daniel, I thought he was wearing coloured lenses, but that is the colour of his natural eyes- teal! And his father has the same deep bluish-green coloured eyes.

Yet, his eyes seem so different from Dan’s. Daniel’s eyes are so kind and hurt all the time. Even in the car this afternoon, it seemed like he wasn't close with his father. I mean, his father does seem like an asshole. Who flirts with your son’s friends?

“Riya. You must be hungry. Please.” Dan leads me away from his father. James follows us.

“I’m so sorry about that.” he whispers in my ear. He seems so embarrassed. One thing I have noticed about Daniel so far is that no matter how many women he has slept with, he is very respectful towards women. Complete opposite of his father.

“It’s fine.” I lie.

“No, it’s not. This is the first time a girl ever accompanied me to an event like this and this is what he–” he exhales. I stop him and turn him around. I look around to make sure that everyone is out of earshot.

“It’s not your fault, Daniel.” I flash him a faint smile.

“I know but still–” I don’t let him finish.

“Where is this delicious food that you were taking me to eat?” I change the topic.

Daniel chuckles. Running his hand through his hair. He looks a lot like his father, but besides that I see zero similarity. They’re polar opposite.

“I know a better place, if you guys are up for it. But it’s not fancy at all.” He looks at me and then at James.

I shrug. I’ve had enough champagne anyway. “I’m down for the good place. Anyway, I’m bored of caviar and this fancy shit.” I flick my hair like a spoiled brat but still a diva and both of them laugh.

James smiles eye to eye. An understanding smile. A smile thanking me. “You guys head out. I’ll bring George and Sid.” James turns around while Daniel leads me outside.

It’s freezing outside, and I am standing without my jacket. Shivering. He offers me his jacket which I would reject under normal circumstances, but I’m freezing my ass off right now. I take his jacket and wrap it around me. Daniel is very quiet the entire time. I can tell that he still feels very embarrassed about what had just happened.

“So, I’m the first woman who accompanied you to an event like this?” I try to break the ice.

He just shrugs.

“Why? No girlfriends?”

“Girlfriends? FYI. I don’t do dating and even if I did, I would date only one girl. I would want a monogamous relationship.” He clarifies. I don’t do dating. Of course, he doesn’t! There’s an awkward silence again.

“So, you have any siblings?” he chuckles now.

His teal eyes sparkle with joy. “I have a younger sister.” His face lights up.

“Didn’t see her in there with you…”

“She…um…she lives with my mother. In California.” I want to ask more questions but I don't want to push him.

A few moments of awkward silence pass by so I smash the ice. “So, what’s her name?”

“You talk a lot, don’t you?” he snorts. I hear that a lot. “Her name is Vanessa. She’s turning 16 in November. Thankfully her birthday is on Thanksgiving, so I might be able to fly down to her.” he’s smiling ear to ear now. He really loves his sister. That’s so sweet. Me and my sister were just like this before.

Before God knows what happened. But I don’t want to think about that. I let her know this morning that I am going out with friends and that I won’t be able to go through today’s plans. And have been dodging her calls ever since.

“So, what are you planning for her sweet 16? Isn’t it a big thing here?” Dan nods.

He clicks his tongue. “It is. I’m still not sure what she wants. She’s very picky. She plays Volleyball and one would think looking at her that she’s a scary girl. But she’s the girliest girl I know. She loves everything pink and purple and pastels. So I am planning something around that. But I haven’t decided what to buy her yet.”

“Need help with that?” I ask him.

“You don’t strike me as the girly girl.” he raises a brow.

“I like pink and purple and pastels. And I am totally a girly girl. And if you think otherwise I will beat your ass up.” That gets me a big laugh out of Dan.

Footsteps approach us from behind. “I swear to god, I have never seen Daniel laugh like this before. Ever!” Siddharth comments as he walks with my coat in his hand. “What magic did you do, Riya?” he asked me.

“I told him I would beat him up and he thinks I am joking.” All of them start laughing. I am dead serious. “Guys…I took taekwondo classes. Granted it was for two days, but I learned a lot!” I shrug.

“Sure, kiddo.” Siddharth chuckles. I punch his arm and he groans, holding his arm in pain.

“Can’t even handle a punch from a woman? Pussy!” George comments. Chauvinist!

“Chauvinist.” Daniel mutters under his breath. And I snort a chuckle.

“She can throw a punch alright.” Siddharth steps back.

“Come one, hit me, Queen.” George takes a boxing stance.

“I’m not a jerk who goes around hitting people.” I roll my eyes at him and a smug grin appears on his face.

“Why? Are you ready to admit that pussies are weak?” That gets him a punch from me. And I put all my strength in it. George groans silently, holding his arm. My dad taught me how to throw a punch and I grew up with cousins, so naturally, we fought a lot. I practised most of the WWE moves on them.

“Told ya.” Siddharth squeaks still holding his arm.

“Remind me to never piss you off, your highness.” I press my lips to not laugh. I take a look at James, who is silently observing everything. He licks his lips wet as he sees my eyes land on him. Fuck me.

◆◆◆

Our car pulls up and we all get in when Dan drives us to the ‘good but not so fancy’ place. It’s a taco place. And all eyes turn to us when we enter because obviously we all are overdressed. We take a seat at the booth. I scooch next to James. Dan, George and Siddharth are cramped up in front of us. We place our order for food, enough to feed a village. Because one thing I have learned from spending a day with them is that athletes eat a lot. Like a hell lot.

“Let’s switch places.” James whispers in my ear.

“Why?” I look around and see a group of middle aged men ogling me and my exposed legs. I don’t fight with James and move inside the booth and James sits from outside.

It is so cold in the restaurant and the heater is barely working. James takes his jacket off and wraps it around my shoulders. I left my coat in the car thinking that it would ruin my outfit. Bad choice. It is still mid January!

“Thanks.” His eyes lock with mine. There is a combination of lust and something I can’t quite put my hand on. But safe to say, no one has ever looked at me like that. Like I’m the air they need to breathe to survive.

Someone clears their throat and breaks our deep eye contact.

“So, Riya…” Daniel asks me. “What’s your story?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, where are you from? How did you meet dipshit over here? What’s your favourite colour? I don’t know…chick stuff.” he shrugs.

“Cute.” I try not to laugh at the chick stuff. “Really cute, Dan. Well, for starters…I am from India. Born and raised in Jersey until fourth grade and moved to India and back here for Uni. As for meeting dipshit, we—” I elbow him.

“Hey…” James gets offended and everyone laughs.

“I actually met him…” I can’t tell him that they almost walked in on me when I was sneaking out of James' room after we did nothing but sleep because I was drunk. “I met him because of the interview thing. And my favourite colour…I don’t have one. I can’t pick just one.” James smirks at me. Because he knows I lied about where I met him first. I intend to keep that between us.

“I thought that you were that crazy chick that tried to sneak out of M’s bedroom that day. She was weird. Remember, cap? She didn’t know what an honour it is to be noticed leaving our house in the morning.” George chuckles. Honour? What honour? Ugh! I feel so embarrassed because that crazy weird chick is me.

James turns to look at me suppressing an obvious smile. “Yeah, she was really crazy.” James teases me. So I kick him under the table and he groans.

The food comes and the boys inhale it. I ask them about where they’re from and they each take turns telling me their hometown and favourite colour .

“But, I have to admit, in the three years that I have spent with Daniel, he has never spoken as much as he is today.” George shoves his elbow in Dan’s gut and he groans.

“That was a lot of talking? He barely said fifty words the whole day!” I love talking. Talking non-stop for at least five hours. On some weekends, me and my cousin sister back home, who is also my best friend, talk for hours on call without even realising. And before ending the call, we tell each other that ‘I still had so much to tell you! I’ll tell you next time.’ Our record so far is about eight hours. Meh.

“Usually Dan’s vocab consists of basically just Hmm, fine, will do, Chauvinist, Fucker, fuck you and alright .” George elaborates.

“You take notes when I talk?” Dan genuinely asks George and I can’t stop laughing my ass off here.

“Nah, it’s your thing though. You talk less, no matter what. M talks less, but whatever he says makes sense and is always super serious and Sid here…he's the opposite of M, whatever he says never makes sense.” I never thought that I would go to fucking gala and grab dinner with jocks. My impression about jocks was that they only love two things, their game and fucking women. I thought that that would be their entire personality, but maybe that’s not the case. At least not with these boys.

I never had any athlete friends, so I never knew what it was like. I had friends, I still have friends, but all my friends are just intellectual nerds who don’t have a single athletic trait. We rarely go to the gym, because our free time is killed by studying.

“What about you George?” I ask, shoving a taco in my mouth.

George flexes his bicep and that’s when I notice how these guys have perfect athletic bodies. “I’m perfect. I say both, senseful and senseless things. I’m the whole package, baby.” I can’t stop laughing at how confident George is about himself. There’s always one like that in every friend group.

I suddenly feel warmth and tingle on my thigh. It’s James' hand. The pad of his thumb rubbing against my bare leg is sending shivers down to my core. I am not that horny a person, but this man makes me someone I’m not.

“What are you doing?” I whisper to him and he has a smirk on his face. He licks his bottom lip and that pulls a small gasp out of me. What is wrong with me?

“So, you let him call you baby and not me?” he leans down and whispers in my ear and I get a whiff of his woody scent. God he smells delicious. I know I should push his hand off my thigh and tell George not to call me baby, but I want to tease James. I want to be naughty. So badly

“Georgie…sweetheart, could you pass me the water?” I lean my elbows on the table, pushing my breasts together. And that makes James' hand travel higher up my dress. His fingers are almost tracing the edge of my panties. And I am scared that his friends sitting in front of us might see that. I see George’s face turn red in front of me. Dan chokes on his water and Sid is lost in his trail of thought but all I can think about is the hand looming on my thigh!

George passes me the water and buries his face in his food after taking one glance at James. I gasp as I feel him playing with the hem of my panties. My grip on the fork tightens and I butcher the chicken with my fork.

“Raven…” he chuckles and then stops doing what he was doing wanting me more. He was teasing me. Fucker.

I pull him closer to my mouth and whisper in his ear, “You wouldn’t be able to make me come even if you wanted to, James… ”