This is from the club scene when Drayton takes Dallas back to his place.

D R A Y S • P O V

"Do you wanna drink?" Grayson shouts over the loud club music. "Kendall's working."

"I'm driving?"

"Oh, right." He laughs and bops to the electric music. I hadn't been overly keen on coming to this club opening. I knew it'd be a good opportunity to score outside of town where I wouldn't have to see the girl again after we'd parted ways. But I'm just not feeling it tonight. I'm bored, tired and stupidly agreed to sober drive, so not even alcohol can save this night.

Grayson is out of his head, courtesy of an old school friend that works behind the bar. Drunk people are a pain to deal with at the best of times, let alone when you're stone cold sober. I follow along as he shimmies into the crowd, his head whipping in all directions as though he's looking for someone.

His bitch of an ex no doubt.

And funnily enough, I'm the one who finds someone.

Cheer pear.

Or Dallas.

She's a few feet away, clad in a tight- champagney- pink coloured dress that clings to her curves. The plunging neckline displays the perfect amount of boob and damn, does she look good.

I guide Grayson in her direction, subtly of course so it seems that we've stumbled upon her on accident.

"Hey Cheer pear."

Her body stiffens for a moment, her shoulders becoming rigid before she turns around and fixes me with an evil scowl. I'm not at all surprised by the reaction. She hasn't quite forgiven me for the idiotic comment I made on the field earlier in the week. I hadn't been thinking. She had every right to be pissed, but I'd been hoping for a more friendly reception.

"Leave me alone."

"This is my friend Grayson." I ignore her request because for one, she just shut me down in front of my friend. And two, I can't leave her alone.

Just... because.

She gives me another menacing scowl before she turns her attention on Gray and her features transform into a sweet smile. It's as if she's an entirely different girl.

She has a beautiful smile.

"Hey Grayson!" Some asshole behind her slings his arm over her shoulder and hands her an open drink, which she receives with appreciation. I'm tempted to tell her not to drink something that's already opened but I doubt she'll take anything I say under advisement right now. "Look, if you're anything like Drayton then I have nothing to say to you, but if you're a decent person, then it's a pleasure."

The dim soul beside me just nods, clearly entirely unaware of what she's talking about or who she is. "Ignore her. She's got a stick up her ass."

The scowl that she'd previously been wearing, comes back in full force. Her eyes widen and she turns a bright red. Good. I kind of like getting her worked up. It's cute when she gets all feisty.

"The hell I do!" She shouts loudly. "You're just an asshole and I don't like you. So cheers and piss off!"

She spins on her heel, downing the drink and disappearing with her friend and the tool that gave her the drink. She might not want me around, but she doesn't need to know that I'll keep an eye on her from afar.

"Who was that." Grayson slurs, bumping into me when a group of girls come rushing through.

"Just one of the cheerleaders from school." I answer with disinterest, my eyes once again finding her a bit further away, grinding against some dickhead that has his hands all over her.

"She doesn't like you very much!" Grayson laughs with his lips pursed together, spraying a shower of saliva as he blows a raspberry. "She's hot."

I don't answer because I can't argue. She is hot. But there's more to her than that. More that keeps me interested. She has a fire about her, a confidence and a presence that demands attention. The strength in her personality is beautiful. But I'll keep all of that to myself because it'd make me sound like an absolute pussy.

•

For the next few hours I divide my attention between Grayson and Dallas. She gets more and more drunk by the minute, dancing with whoever she can get her hands on, throwing back tequila shots like she's a seasoned pro. I don't know why I feel the need to be so protective towards her, but I do.

"Hey man," Grayson leans on my shoulder, his unsteady movements causing us to sway and stumble. "Do you mind if I leave with.. um-" he stares at the pretty brunette who's attached to his hand - "oh.. Jas. Do you mind?"

"Nope." I glance back towards Dallas. She's still in the same spot, sandwiched between the crowd with some slob grinding his crotch against her back. It's gross, but harmless. "Come on, I'll walk you out to the cab. I'm gonna have a cigarette."

Outside, there isn't a shortage of lined up cabs waiting to escort party goers home. It'll be an expensive ride considering we're an hour out of town, so I slip a fifty into Grayson's shirt pocket and wave him off, sparking up a cigarette before I head back inside to save Dallas from the creep that's no doubt still dry humping her back.

Of course I don't make it back inside because she comes stumbling out of the double doors. Her stubborn attitude and refusal to let me drive her home makes me insane. I don't care how damn cute she is. I don't care that I feel something that I can't quite describe whenever I see her. I don't care that her clap backs and aggressive comments make me internally cheer with appreciation. Her storming off in an attempt to walk alone at night, infuriates me. It panics and stresses me out and because of that panic and stress, I get pissed off.

I'm thrown back to the night that we lost Abby. The night I'd fûcked up and let her down. The sight of Dallas walking away from me, disappearing into the dark of night, causes an ache in my chest that leaves me breathless. Especially when I notice the old perv that crosses the street and follows along behind her.

I'd managed to keep her out of harms way. My method may have not been the most conventional, but it taught her something. She's not invincible and while she'd put up a hell of a fight, she couldn't protect herself and it made me nauseous to think of herself in a real situation like that. I couldn't ever let that happen to her. I couldn't.

Which is why I pass her house, not bothering to drop her off at home. Especially not when I find out that her brother wouldn't be there. She's drunk and there's not a fûcking chance I'm going to leave her alone now.

She'd spent almost the entire car journey home, staring at me. Perhaps she didn't realise she was doing it, perhaps she did. But I sure noticed it. How could I not? Having her deep dark eyes boring into me, gives me an indescribable sensation. Her gaze leaving a heat throughout my entire body. Which is why it was a little disappointing when she realised that I wasn't taking her home and she switched back into her pain in the ass self.

Carrying her inside had been a little caveman for my liking. It felt as though I was really holding her against her will. Which I guess perhaps, in a way, I was. But it was for a good cause. What kind of person would I be if I left her at home, smashed out of her head and something terrible happened, like she tried to cook and left the oven on. Or threw up in her sleep and died of asphyxiation. I had to keep her close. To be sure that she'd be safe.

I hop in bed and send Grayson a quick message, to be sure that he's alive and well. He might be in the house but he might not be.

After Dallas has changed and finished harping on about how annoying she finds me, I sense her hovering beside the bed.

"This is weird." Her small voice slurs and when I glance to the side, I'm floored.

Oh man. She's fucking gorgeous.

I avert my gaze as quickly as possible, not wanting to let her know that I'm staring. But it'll be etched into my mind forever. The sight of my t-shirt on her curvaceous figure is possibly the sexiest thing that I've ever seen. It sits at her mid thigh, the fabric pulling against her hips and ass. I knew she was hot, I've been able to appreciate her appearance for a while. But man, that was something else. She's a vision. I don't think I've ever seen a girl quite as beautiful. Her hair is a little fluffed but it's still cascading down her shoulders in soft curls. Her plump pink cheeks and deep dark eyes are incredible. All of those things are her, they're who she is, but right now, the shirt is topping it off. As if it's allowing me to see her in another light.

The word that comes to mind is 'right'. It looks right. I can't help but think she should be walking around in my clothes all the damn time. What the fuck is going on with me?

"Why? It's just sharing a bed." I shrug, keeping my gaze on the ceiling so that she can't see just how turned on she's making me." I'm not gonna touch you."

To be honest, I would. But for some reason, she doesn't want a bar of me.

Well, I can't feign total ignorance. I was an asshole. It'd be a dick move to expect her to just get over it without proving that I'm not a total prick all the time.

"You're so arrogant!" She bites, flicking the covers back. I don't miss the little intake of air when her sights set on my bare torso.

Damn it, I can feel myself getting hard at just the thought of her making more of those noises underneath me.

Stop.

"I wouldn't touch you either! Ever."

That's better. Sort of. I don't feel like pinning her down and driving her wild anymore but I do love that little attitude of hers. It's fucking cute.

"Hey," she suddenly gasps. "What happened to your friend? Did you leave him in castle pines?"

"What? No, of course not." I scoff, "He went home with some chick. I would never leave my friend at a nightclub. I'm not an asshole."

The little pout in her lip and furrow of her brows lets me know that she caught on to the double meaning in my statement.

"Spencer is not an asshole! It was just- - it was just a miscommunication."

"If you say so."

The mattress shifts as she starts to shift around and out of the corner of my eye I can see that she's on her side, her head resting in her hand while she's propped on her elbow. She's watching me. I'm so damn aware when her gaze lingers on me. It's starting to fuck with me real bad.

"Drayton.." she murmurs quietly, as though she's using a cautious approach. "Why did you bring me back here? I would have been fine at home. I'm not that drunk."

Fuck. She only wants some sort of insight. Which is fair enough. I've been a bit fucking erratic. But I can't tell her. I can't tell her that I'd been responsible for the death of my sister all those years ago. I couldn't tell her that the thought of leaving her alone tonight while she'd been drinking gives me the sweats and I'd end up having a full blown panic attack. I don't talk about it, I don't want anyone to know and I can't give her half an explanation because she'd want to know more. They always do.

I'm already aware that the stupid idea that my half witted brain is coming up with, is a terrible fûcking thing to do. But whatever.

I roll over as fast as I can, catching the startling look in her eyes when I throw my leg across her small frame and pin her beneath my body. I study her expression, feeling a smile lift the corners of my lips. She's attempting to regulate her breathing while she stares up at me.

"W-what are you doing?" She mumbles, her eyes wandering every inch of my face. Every time she takes a deep breath in and then out again, her braless chest touches mine and it's starting to drive me a little wild.

But I keep focused, because this is a distraction technique and that's it.

"We're alone. We're both almost naked, we're both into having a good time. No one would have to know.."

I don't miss the visible way that she swallows, or the way her chest begins to rise and fall more rapidly or the more hooded her eyes become while they continue to gaze up at me.

I begin to inch forward, nearing her lips, watching as she gives in to me and I'm suddenly stumped because the closer I get, the closer she does too. Her entire body seems to arch upwards into mine. I can feel her smooth thighs between my legs, her nipples through the soft cotton shirt that rubs against my chest. I can smell the fruity scent that always surrounds her like an alluring aroma.

I wanna take her. I wanna show her what I can do to her and how I can pleasure her. Fuck, i'd love to hear those soft lips screaming my name while she writhes beneath my touch.
And when our mouths are grazing against one another I think about how easy it would be. I hadn't expected her to want me just like that. But she is drunk. And that's the sobering reality.

That's one thing that I couldn't do to her. The teasing and stupid comments are bad enough. I couldn't sleep with her while she's not in total control of her emotions. So as disappointed as my rock hard dick is going to be, I lean up and peck a soft kiss on her forehead, gazing down as her deep dark eyes flutter open in confusion.
"I just thought I'd show you, that if I wanted you. I could have you." Such a dick move. I fucking know it.

I fall back on to my side of the bed, semi wishing that I was alone so that I could relieve junior between my legs.

"I actually hate you!" She hisses, promptly rolling over so that her backs to me. I can hear the venom in her voice and it sucks. "Like what the hell is your problem? As if this night hasn't been bad enough for me and then you have to humiliate me. AGAIN. I dunno what I did to you but after tonight just stay the fuck out of my face."

"Dallas-"

"Don't!" She cuts me off. "Don't speak to me. I don't even want to be here right now. I feel disgusting but what else can I do? Apparently nothing, because what you want, you get, right?"

So much for proving that I'm not always a prick.

She's right. I'm an asshole. I made her feel like an idiot because I'm too fucking cowardly to admit the truth. I can't explain why I don't think things through before I do them. Staring over at her small frame, curled up on her side, she looks so vulnerable and I hate that. I fucking hate it. She's strong and although she told me off, she's hurt and that's my fault.

It's my fault.

"Dallas.." I move a little closer to her for no reason other than the need to be near her while I attempt to fix this situation.

I can't tell her the truth. I'm just not ready. She'll look at me differently. Perhaps she'll think I'm the worst person alive for what happened to Abby because of me. I can't tell her the reason behind my fucking dumbass behaviour. But perhaps I can still rectify this entire ordeal. I have to try anyway.

"Dallas. I'm sorry."

• • •

On the way home after dropping Dallas off the next morning, I can't help but feel a little disappointed by what she'd said.

"I don't see the point."

That had been in referral to a possible friendship. She just... didn't see the point. We'd smoothed things over last night. She'd opened up a little about her personal life, sharing that she doesn't do relationships but sex isn't something she deprives herself of. I won't lie, that had me excited for a moment. I'm not afraid of commitment, I'll give it a go. But she made it clear that she wouldn't be sleeping with me. She didn't want to be just another girl that's fucked Drayton Lahey. I don't think that she's aware of how many rumours are just that... rumours. I don't fuck around as much as I'm accused of.

I'm no saint either.

But apart from all of that, she didn't even want to be friends. She wanted nothing to do with me and that kind of bummed me out a little. The more time I spend with her - however brief it may be - the more I want to spend time with her. I'm attracted to her, that's more than obvious. But now I don't know whether I should leave her alone considering she doesn't want to get attached. Or if I should throw caution to the wind and hang around her anyway, letting things take a natural course of progression on their own.

Fuck it. I'll just be subtle. She'll never know that I'm into her. Until she's into me too.

"Hey man." Grayson greets when I get home. He's showered now and doesn't stink of last nights antics.

"What's up." I start pulling food out of the fridge to make a roll. I'm more keen on a decent feed than anything else, but football season is about to start and coach has us all on a strict diet.

"So that girl that was here this morning.." Grayson starts, dropping into a bar stool on the other side of the kitchen island. I glance up from the sandwich fillings.

"Dallas.."

"Right." He nods. "She's hot. She's the one that was giving you shit at the club last night?"

"Yeah..." I mumble, slicing a tomatoe and not particularly enjoying where this conversation is going.

"Do you guys have like.. a thing?"

"Nope."

It's the truth. Unfortunately.

"So you wouldn't mind if I asked her out."

I glance up and do my best not to scowl. I don't think we've ever once shared an interest in the same girl. We have different taste most of the time but Dallas is gorgeous. I think she'd be any mans type.

My first instinct is to tell him that I would definitely fucking mind if he asked her out. But I'm reminded of the fact that she doesn't do dates or relationships and as cruel as it may be not to give him a little warning in advance. I pretend to be supportive of his interest instead.

"Sure. Go ahead."

It's not like she'll go for it anyway.