Free Take (Need #2) by K.I. Lynn, N. Isabelle Blanco Page B

complicated thorn in my side.
    Thankfully dinner goes off without complication. A.k.a. Brayden behaved himself.
    When we pull into the driveway, I jump out and run upstairs to change. I kick the door behind me and grab the hem of my dress to pull it above my head and toss it in the hamper.
    “Is Austin going to be there?” Brayden asks from the door, scaring the crap out of me.
    “Jesus!” I whip my head around as I nearly jump out of my skin.
    As his tongue swipes across his lips, I realize I’m only wearing a strapless bra and a thong. Oh well. I don’t even bother to cover myself.
    “Shut the door, asshole!”
    His eyes darken, and he steps in and starts to close the door.
    I narrow my gaze on him and stomp forward. “That’s not what I meant.” I push on his chest until he’s back in the hallway and slam the door in his face.
    Fucker.
    “Is Austin going?” I can hear his anger through the barrier between us.
    “Why do you care?” I shuffle through my dresser for a bra, wanting to get out of this strapless.
    “You know why.”
    I roll my eyes, then move to my closet. “He lives down the street, so I’m sure he’ll be there.”
    “Did you invite him?”
    I already picked out an outfit for tonight, but his presence has me all over the place.
    “Not directly.” My fingers work the clasp of the strapless and it falls to the floor. I peek out the door. “Everyone will be there. Ryan said he’s going.”
    “I know.” His voice sounds strained, but I think I just gave him some side-boob view, maybe even some nip.
    Am I trying to tease him? Always.
    Suffer, asshole.
    “Are you going?” Damn curiosity.
    “Yes.”
    I pull the dress I picked out over my head. “Why?”
    “Because you are.”
    His answer irks me and gives me the damn happy vibes.
    “This is the year-end graduation party. The biggest party of the year. Don’t expect me to pay you any attention at all.”
    “Wow. When did I become the clinger?”
    “When you started stalking me.” I throw a flip-flop at the door.
    He chuckles. “It’s not stalking if I love you.”
    I know he’s quoting some meme floating around the Internet, but fuck . . . those words. They stop me in my tracks, which is bent over as I slip on my shoes.
    I stomp back over to the door and peek through. “Don’t start that crap up again. You had your fun. It’s my turn now.”
    His mouth pops open, anger flaring in his eyes, then it’s suddenly gone. “You’re right.”
    The words “I am?” almost slip from my lips. It’s such a departure from the norm that my whole system is in shock, leaving me to stare at him, wordless.
    “I’m a jealous asshole. I know. I can’t stand the thought of anyone touching you, most of all Austin.”
    I close the door and walk over to my dresser to pick up some bracelets and my wristlet, then throw open the door. His eyes go wide, running up and down my body, setting my skin on fire. “Well freaking get used to it, because you have no say in any part of my life.” I push him aside.
    Before I can scoot by, Brayden grabs my wrist. The calm demeanor he’s mastered all day is gone, replaced by a fury that almost makes him look like a maniac.
    “I’ll walk with you.” The party is only a few blocks away.
    I wrench my arm free. “Walk by yourself.”
    I make sure to push him hard on my way out, giving me time to race ahead and down the stairs.
    My heart hammers against my ribs as I stomp off down the street. The party isn’t too far, and I plan to drink, so heels be damned, I’m walking. It also helps give me a Brayden breather and time to calm down.
    The block is already parked up with cars when I arrive, and I can’t wait to find my girls. I pull out my phone to check a text I got on my way from Jenna, hoping she’s already here.
    Sam IS well endowed. See you . . . sometime. lol!
    A smile spreads on my face, and I shake my head. Looks like Jenna is getting exactly what she wanted for graduation.
    I wave to some people