All the Wrong Choices by C.A. Harms

Chapter Twenty-Two

Danielle

"How many have you had?"I try not to laugh as Molly counts off with her fingers the glasses of wine she drank. I know I've had two, almost three, and the shot that Addison insisted we all drink together, and I'm feeling tipsy for sure.

So tipsy I'm half tempted to walk to the pool, swing my body around in front of Jonah's, and straddle him. Drinking, mixed with half-naked people dancing up on each other and flirting, apparently makes me a little horny. I'm not ashamed.

"Five," Molly interrupts my thoughts. I've forgotten momentarily we are even having a conversation. "Nope, six." She grabs an empty glass at her side and tips it up, displaying it is gone. "I may need to call an Uber."

"You're crashing here," Addison pipes in, looking over at Tony with a gleamy smile. "This handsome man already has a guest room set up for my friends to sleep in."

"Aw," Gina coos, "Tony, you are such a dream." She bats her lashes and leans back in her lounger, scanning over the entire space before us. "What are the chances that I score me one of your hot friends for the evening? I tend to get cold, and I think one of them could keep me warm."

I feel a spike of adrenaline race through me when she pauses on the back of Jonah.

"Those shoulders are amazing," placing her hands on her thighs; she begins running her palms over them, moving upward in the process. "Perfect to hook my legs over when—"

"I need to get up and move," before I punch one of my best friends. "If I don't, I'm gonna pass out."

Addison and Tony share a knowing look I choose to ignore.

I walk in the opposite direction of the pool, circling out onto the grass. The farther I walk, the more hidden I become, which I need. For a few minutes, I need to disappear.

I stand with my back toward the party. Closing my eyes, I tilt my head back, looking up at the night sky. One deep breath after another, hoping a few silent moments away from my sex-crazed friends and big boob exes, will calm me.

"I've been waiting all night to get you by yourself."

Spinning around, I see Jonah, who is only a few feet away. His face is dark by the lack of light, but the glow behind him reminds me we are not alone.

"I'm not by myself," I remind him, "there's a whole party going on behind you." He steps closer, and I step back. "And let's not forget, what's her name," I hold my finger up to my mouth like I'm trying to think, "Reece, is it?"

I regret it the very second the words leave my lips. I blame it on the alcohol.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say maybe you are a little jealous." He seems pleased with his discovery, but I refuse to admit anything.

"I have nothing to be jealous of," he takes another step in my direction, and I take another one back. "You can do whatever you want, but there will be no more condomless hookups for me and you. Reece looks like the kind of girl who’s had a few wild nights, and forgive me, but I don't want anything she may be passing around."

I half expect him to bite back, only he continues to move toward me, and I back away. It's a bit of a game we are playing. He takes one step, then I take two and so on. Allowing him to reach me will be a mistake. I know with the way I feel, I won't be able to resist him.

I've spent the entire night watching his ex drool over him, pressing her balloon boobs to his arm and her ass brushing his crotch every chance she got.

"Dani, Dani, Dani," he tsks as he says my name, shaking his head as if he's somehow disappointed. "Baby," the way he says that one single word makes my knees weak.

Before I have time to prepare, he moves toward me quickly. Tossing me over his shoulder, he walks forward until we're hidden in the darkness of the yard. I don't even attempt to fight him. There's no point.

When he has me where he wants me, he lowers me to my feet, and I feel the concrete beneath me. Looking around, I realize we are on the far side of the house.

"Jealousy looks hot on you, Dani girl," the way he skims his lips over my jaw sends chills throughout my entire body. He’s sliding his palm over my side before moving around to cup my ass. It's hard to focus on anything when he's touching me.

He's so good at it. The man plays me like a fiddle.

"Admit you're jealous," he urges while dipping his fingertip just beyond the barrier of my bikini bottoms at the crease of my leg.

"I'm not jealous." The breathy tone of my voice doesn't exactly help my argument.

"You're a shit liar, baby," Jonah has never been this forward with the endearments, and I know it's partly due to him drinking all afternoon. I don't think he's ever called me, baby.

"Jonah," we are teetering on the line between casual and intense, and I know once we cross that line, there will be no going back. That alone terrifies me. I may not be willing to give him anything more, but I'm not ready to let him go either.

"Tell me you don't feel something," he demands.

"Jonah, I said—" he doesn't let me finish my words. He grips the back of my neck with his free hand. He is pressing his lips to mine in a searing kiss. His tongue is invading my mouth, sucking and exploring, tugging on my lips with a gentle nip of his teeth.

The kiss is real, it's consuming and conquering, and so unlike any other kiss we've shared. My body sags back against the side of the house, with only him holding me upright.

"I'm jealous," he growls out the words with his lips still partially pressed to mine. "I've spent hours watching men look at you, guys I know staring at your body in this little suit, and I can't do a damn thing about it." He thrusts his lower body against mine, releasing his hold on my ass, and slipping his thigh between my legs. "I can't tell them to look the fuck away. I can't tell them you're mine because—" he doesn't finish, and honestly, I'm not exactly sure I want him to.

We stare at one another, his chest heaving while my heart races with something I can't quite explain, even if I try.

He looks away but only for a few seconds before he shifts his eyes back to mine.

"So if I can't show them, if I can't ensure every person here knows you're mine, then I need to remind you how it feels to be consumed by me." His? "I need to remind you what it feels like to have me inside you." As if I can ever forget.

Turning my body away from his, he moves my hands above my head, and with one of his hands, he holds them firmly in place. I know what he's about to do, and I have no desire to stop it. I need it more than him.

When he moves in closer behind me, I arch my back, and he growls as he pushes my bikini bottoms aside. Without another second wasted, he shifts forward and enters me in one quick thrust.

The hiss he releases echoes over the yard, and at that point, I don't care who may have heard it. It feels too good to stop.

"Mine," he whispers, and my chest grows tight. "All I want." His words are clear, and I know we are venturing into dangerous territory. "I can't help the way I feel, Dani," the line that separates what we are and what we were shatters. "I want more, baby. I want so much more."