Too Far 01- Fallen Too Far

stranger.
    “You live around here? I’ve never seen you in here before,” Dalton said lowering his head to my ear so I could hear him.
    I shook my head. “I live about forty minutes away and I just moved there. I’m from Alabama.”
    He grinned. “That explains the southern twang in your voice. I knew it was thicker than any of the locals in this area.”
    Dalton’s hand slipped further down my waist until his fingers were brushing against the top curve of my bottom. This concerned me a little.
    “Are you in college?” he asked, his hand sliding an inch lower.
    I shook my head, “No. I… uh… work.”
    I searched the crowd for Bethy and didn’t see her anywhere. Where had she gone? As much as I hated to I looked over toward the booth to see if Rush was still there. The blonde was now in the booth with him. His eyes and it looked like maybe his lips were on her.
    Dalton’s hand slipped lower until it was cupping my butt completely. “Damn girl, your body is incredible,” he murmured in my ear. Red alert. I needed help.
    Wait. Since when had I needed help? I hadn’t relied on anyone in years. I didn’t need to start acting helpless now. I put both hands on Dalton’s chest and pushed him back. “I need some air and I don’t much like strange men groping my ass.” I informed him and spun around to head for the exit. I did not want to go back to the booth and watch Rush make out with some girl and I sure didn’t want to find another dance partner just yet. I needed fresh air.
    Stepping outside into the darkness I took a deep breath and leaned up against the side of the building. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for this kind of thing? Or maybe it was too much too soon. Either way I needed a breather and a new dance partner. Dalton wasn’t gonna work out.

Chapter Fourteen

    “Blaire?” Rush’s concerned tone surprised me and I snapped my eyes open and strained in the darkness to see him walking over toward me.
    “Yes,” I replied.
    “I couldn’t find you. Why are you out here? This isn’t safe.”
    I’d had it with his big brother role. I could handle things myself. He needed to back off. “I’m fine. Go back inside and continue your make-out session in our booth.” The bitterness in my voice was obvious. It couldn’t be helped.
    “Why are you out here?” he repeated, slowly taking another step toward me.
    “Because I want to be,” I replied just as slowly, glaring up at him.
    “The party is inside. Isn’t that what you wanted? A honky-tonk with men and drinks? You’re missing it out here.”
    “Back off, Rush.”
    Rush took one more step toward me leaving all but an inch between us. “No. I want to know what happened.”
    Something in me snapped and I put both hands on his chest and shoved as hard as I could. He barely stumbled back. “You want to know what happened? YOU happened Rush. That’s what happened.” I stormed around him and stalked toward the dark parking lot.
    One strong hand wrapped around my arm stopping me and I jerked hard trying to set myself free but it was no use. Rush had a firm hold on me and he wasn’t letting go.
    “What does that mean, Blaire?” he asked, pulling me back up against his chest.
    I squirmed against him fighting back the urge to scream. I hated the way the smell of him made my heart race and my body throb. I needed him to stay at a distance. Not rub his warm delicious body all over me.
    “Let. Me. Go.” I snapped.
    “Not until you tell me what your problem is,” he replied angrily.
    I twisted in his arms but he didn’t budge an inch. This was ridiculous. He didn’t want to hear what I had to say. That realization made me want to say it. Knowing that what I was going to say would bother him. Mess up his whole friendship idea.
    “I don’t like seeing you touch other women. And when other men grope my ass I hate it. I want it to be you touching me there. Wanting to touch me there. But you don’t and I have to deal with it. Now, let me go!” I jerked free and ran for his Range Rover. I could hide out there until he was ready to take me home.
    Tears stung my eyes and I ran harder. When I reached his vehicle I walked around to the side and leaned back against it closing my eyes. I had just told Rush I wanted him to grope my ass. How stupid could I be? He’d given me my own room. Offered to let me stay there until my dad got home so I could save money and I’d just given him every reason to kick me out.
    The locks on the Range Rover