Page 6 of Until Presley (Happily Ever Alpha World)

CHAPTER

FOUR

PRESLEY

I t’s been five days since I saw Ham, and I still can’t stop thinking about him. Tonight, I finally gave in to Leah’s begging, and we’re heading out to Duval Street to hit a couple of bars and do some dancing.

I look at myself in the mirror one more time before deciding this is as good as it’s going to get.

My top looks knitted and is a half-shirt bralette style.

Since I’m just a small A cup, I don’t need a bra.

But I did stick on some nipple covers so I don’t show when I’m chilled.

I’m not taking a jacket with me tonight.

It’s not a good idea, but I don’t have a jacket that would go with this outfit.

The top is a soft mauve, and I paired it with a pale pink, high-low skirt.

One leg is exposed to mid-thigh, while the other is covered by the skirt that hangs to my ankle.

The wrap style makes my hips look slimmer.

I complete the look with open-toe, strappy wrap suede heels.

When the driver honks, I grab my clutch and quickly lock up. I’m careful on the gravel to avoid twisting my heel. The back door opens, and Leah steps out in a ruched mini skirt and sleeveless crop top. I’m so glad she came for me because I would have chickened out.

“Hey, girl. Don’t even think about not going out.” She laughs, seeing right through me. We embrace before climbing into the back of the car. “We’ll get that hottie out of your mind tonight.” She wraps an arm around my shoulders.

I told her about the woman I saw hug Ham and how she gave me that look—the one that says, “he’s mine.

” I ran before I could make a fool of myself.

I cried all the way home, thinking he was different.

Now, though, I feel like it’s for the best. I don’t need to be in a relationship right now, not when I’m entering the hardest part of my doctoral program.

I didn’t tell Leah that I was already catching feelings for him, even though it was only one day with him.

But I can fake it until I make it. Tonight, I’m going to pick up a random guy and have sex, if I can.

I’m not usually good at this, but Leah says I can do it, that it’ll be easy. I’m not so sure.

The car pulls up to a bar and grill where we’ll start with appetizers and drinks before heading to the main bar in the area. They have a DJ we like tonight. As we make our way inside, I feel eyes on us. I’m sure it’s because of Leah. I shake it off and follow the hostess to a table.

By the time we make it to the other bar, the place is packed. Leah orders us each a shot. I look out over the dance floor and see Margo and her friend. Ugh. I don’t need this.

“Ignore them,” Leah says, handing me my drink. We shoot back the tequila, and then she grabs my arm as a Dua Lipa song starts. “Let’s go.” We head out to the dance floor.

I’m shaking my hips when a pair of large hands wrap around me.

I glance down and see darkly tanned skin.

An image of Ham flashes through my mind.

I’m about to turn to see who took the bait when I look up and catch the shock in Leah’s face.

I spin around and immediately drop my head, my chin hitting my chest. I stop dancing and hold up a hand to Leah, signaling that I’ll be back.

Taking Ham’s hand in mine, I move off the dance floor and head to the bar. Before I turn to face him, I order a shot of tequila and throw it back, needing the buzz in my system.

When I turn around, he’s standing there, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. He’s dressed in all black—slacks that fit him perfectly and a black short-sleeve button-down shirt. His hair is wavy on top, and I have the sudden urge to sink my fingers into it.

“Sprite, I’m so glad we bumped into each other.”

“Was it a coincidence?” I look over to where Otto is dancing with Margo. She heard Leah and I talking about going out.

“Maybe a little bird told me you were going on the prowl tonight.”

“I’m not looking for you. You have a girlfriend, and she made it perfectly clear that I should back off.” I slap my hand over my mouth. I shouldn’t have said that to him. Maybe I’ve had a bit too much to drink.

He smirks then pulls me into his body. “Julia is a nurse I know. I’m not in a relationship with her. As a matter of fact, the only one I want to be in a relationship with is you,” he says before leaning down and taking my lips in a firm kiss.

I gasp, shocked that he’s kissing me in front of all these people. His tongue slides into my mouth, and I wrap my arms over his shoulders. He pulls me in impossibly tighter to his body.

My head is swimming. My hands clutch at his shoulders as his tongue dances with mine. When he finally pulls away, it takes me a moment to open my eyes. His are dark and filled with passion.

Okay, so I wanted a quick fuck to get over him, but maybe I can do a one-night stand. Or even a week or so of fun. I don’t need to stay with him. I can be with him until I have to return to Miami.

“Come on.” I take his hand and stomp off, dragging him behind me. When I approach Leah, she’s dancing with a guy I’ve seen her with before. “We’re taking off,” I tell her.

“Are you okay?” she asks me as she leans in close.

I glance back at Ham. I trust him, but I know it’s going to hurt to walk away from him. He’s everything I want in a guy.

“Probably not, but I can’t not try.”

“Okay. Call me tomorrow.”

“I will.” I turn back to Ham. “Are you ready to go?”

He looks me up and down before glancing over my head to where Margo and Otto are dancing. “Just a moment.”

This time, he leads the way, not letting go of my hand. When we reach them, Margo gives me a once-over and scoffs before turning to walk over to her friend. Ham doesn’t release my hand.

“I’ll arrange a car to pick you up. I’m going with Presley.”

“You don’t need to babysit me. I got this. Have a good night.” Otto chuckles then turns to look at me.

“Car service, Otto,” Ham says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Okay, Dad.” He gripes but nods in agreement before Ham leads us out of the bar.

Ham walks up to the valet and hands over his ticket. I turn into his arms and press against his chest.

Ham

I couldn’t believe my luck when Otto told me he and Margo were going out this weekend.

He casually mentioned that Margo had jokingly said Presley was going out to get over some guy.

I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I knew I had to be there.

If she’s trying to get over an ex, I’m going to be the man she does it with.

But when I saw her walk into the bar, I was instantly pissed.

She looked sexy as fuck, and when she told me I had a girlfriend, the thought that she might be trying to get over me filled my head.

That’s never happening. I’m not letting her get away again.

I don’t know when I decided that she was going to be mine completely, but there is no going back now. She presses into my chest and shivers as the ocean breeze blows through the streets. I pull her in tight while we wait for my Jeep.

“I live past Saddlebunch Number Two bridge on Boulder Drive. If you want to go to a hotel, we can,” she says.

I shake my head. She’s too drunk if she thinks I’m taking her to a hotel. I know she’s going to try to sneak out on me.

“What’s your address on Boulder?” I slide my palm against her cheek.

Her hair is down around her shoulders in soft waves.

Her full, pouty lips are stained a shimmery nude color, and her eyes are darkened, making the green stand out more.

I lean down, needing another taste of her lips.

She pulls herself up me, and I can’t wait to get her somewhere private, where I can pull her closer and really get a taste of her.

“Excuse me,” the valet says, and I pull away from my girl.

Presley clings to me as I turn her toward the passenger side of the Jeep. I lift her up into the seat and pull the seatbelt across her body. Her breath hitches when my hand brushes her breast.

“I need to get you someplace private, baby.”

“Yes,” she sighs.

I move to the driver’s side, where the valet is holding the door open. I catch him leering at her.

“Don’t look at her,” I growl, shoving a tip into his chest.

I jump up into my Jeep and reach across to rest my hand on her thigh. She opens her legs, allowing me to trail my hand up under her skirt. I’m fucking going to blow a gasket or wreck the car. I can feel the heat coming from her core.

“Please,” she begs.

I push my hand higher, encountering her wet core. I jerk the wheel. “Fuck, sprite, you’re soaked.”

“I need you, Ham. I’ve been thinking about you all week.”

“Me too.” I drag my finger against her core, and she leans back into the seat, giving me more of her.

The urge to sink a finger in her is overwhelming, but I don’t.

I need to maintain some control. She’s going for just sex and doesn’t care where we go from here.

I know she’s had several drinks. I won’t let this be a drunk fuck.

Not the first time. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to get her off.

The normally twenty-five-minute drive takes us just less than twenty.

As soon as I turn off the highway, I can’t take it anymore and slide my finger under the edge of her panties.

She’s bare, and I can’t stop myself from sinking two fingers into her as my thumb tweaks her clit.

She moans and holds my hand to her, her tiny nails digging into my skin.

She’s tight, and my cock throbs, needing to bury itself deep inside her heat.

She’s so lost, ready to come, that she can’t direct me to her house.

But then I spot her car and pull in next to it.

She screams as she orgasms on my fingers, and I pet her softly as she comes down from the high.

She turns to me, and with my other hand, I drag her to me and take her lips in a deep kiss.