Read Online Because of You by Rashelle Workman - Free Book Online

Good.”
    “Have another.”
    I take a red one and tip it back. “It’s like candy.” And I do a third.
    The music changes to a song I know. My body sways on its own.
    “The best kind of candy,” Boxer Guy says. “My name is Stuart, by the way.” He sticks out his hand and I shake it.
    “Hi. I’m Maddie.”
    “Nice to meet you.”
    Someone shrieks, and we turn. Gina has jumped on one of the stages and is moving her backside against the pole. The scream must’ve come from the girl Gina kicked off.
    I’m a little horrified.
    “Your friend’s name is Gina, right?” Stuart asks.
    I search his face. He’s watching her, a strange look on his face. Then he clears his throat. “I’ve heard about her. Gina’s a party girl.”
    He hasn’t said anything that isn’t true. Obviously she likes to have fun. But, for some reason, the way he said her name makes me want to lock him up and throw away the key. “What did you hear?”
    He turns to me. “Oh, nothing. Hey, you want another shot?”
    The alcohol buzz hasn’t hit me yet. “Sure.” I tip it back.
    Stuart moves closer, and runs a hand along my waist. My heart jumps into my throat. His hand on my body does not feel right.
    “Go refill your tray, grunt!” The command has come from behind us.
    We both jump.
    Stuart turns toward the voice, and I follow.
    It’s Kyle, dressed in a black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a black tie. I melt into a puddle on the floor.
    “Don’t be a dick,” Stuart seethes.
    “I’ll be whatever the hell I want. You, on the other hand, are to be nothing more than a waiter.”
    “That girl’s a cunt. I didn’t do anything she didn’t want—”
    Kyle rams his hand into Stuarts throat. “Finish that sentence and you’re out, dipshit.”
    Stuart coughs and sputters. “Asshole. You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.” He grabs at his throat and stalks away.
    “I can’t wait to talk to your lawyer, tell him about the tests you aced but didn’t study for, the side job you’ve got running, and the—”
    “Asshole!” Stuart shouts between coughs.
    “Prick.” Kyle shook his head. “Stay away from that guy. He’s messed up.”
    “I will.”
    We study each other and I imagine two assassins sizing each other up before going in for the kill, but that isn’t quite right. It’s more like a hunter sizing up his prey. Thoughts of his teeth grazing my neck, his hands exploring by body—
    “Hey,” he says, moving closer.
    I don’t respond right away.
    “Want to dance?” He’s so close I have to tilt my head to see his eyes.
    Kyle,
I think, remembering the boy I used to love.
    His father killed my parents. He’s evil because his dad is evil.
    He’s a slut. A kinky slut.
    My brain snaps back to the present and I tell myself to run and run fast. But the Jell-O shots have kicked in. My veins fill with blissful indifference. I’m drowning in the balminess.
    My mind changes its tune.
    Kyle didn’t kill my parents.
    A body this beautiful cannot be evil.
    He’s a slut. A kinky slut.
    “Tell me what that means,” I blurt. My face gets hot when I realize I spoke the words aloud. I’m scalded with mortification.
    He chuckles. It’s low and sexy, meant only for me.
    “Are we talking the meaning of life or something else?” He’s smiling. His perfect lips, framing perfect teeth, attached to a perfect face.
    “Oh,” I blush hotter.
    He’s so close to me I can feel his breath on my face. Sweet. And I wonder how many shots he’s had. Whether his lips taste like lemon, or strawberry. Orange or lime. My fingers touch his lips. I’ve been waiting forever to kiss them. The succulent bottom and the soft top. I imagine they’ll feel like a pillow, or a cloud.
    Hell has beautiful scenery
, I think, my body moving up, placing me on a collision course with his lips.
    “You never called,” he says, interrupting my drunken haze.
    I pull back. “Um, yeah, sorry. I don’t have a phone.”
    His fingers are touching my arms,