Page 26 of Fighting Fate

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cam smirking, silently mouthing, "Sunshine," and barely holding back his laughter.

Fuck this.

Closing the distance between us, I fix her with a steady gaze. "I'm not scared," I state firmly, my voice a low rumble. "But maybe you're the one who should be."

Her eyes, initially wide with surprise, soon gleam with a mischievous and enticing light. In a playful retort, she coyly lifts her top just enough to display her toned abdomen. Fuck, her skin is flawless; beckoning me toward her. It's not like I haven't seen her like this before, but each time feels like the first, stirring a deep, possessive feeling inside me.

I close my eyes for a split second, trying to regain control.

Get a grip, Chasen. You know how last time went when you touched Milli.

The warning echoes in my head, a reminder of the line I'm about to cross again. "Last time was a mistake," I whisper to myself, feeling a knot of tension in my gut. "This is a really, really bad idea."

But then my eyes lock onto Milli once again, and everything else fades into a blur. I'm drawn in, despite every screaming instinct telling me to back off. I pour the tequila, watching it settle in her navel, and I'm hit with a wave of déjà vu, thinking of that night at Club Zero.

Milli arches slightly, ensuring the liquid doesn't spill, and fuck, every part of me reacts. My body is betraying my mind's frantic warnings.

This shouldn't be happening, but it is.

Cam's whistle slices through the air, a sharp reminder that all eyes are on us. "Show 'em how it's done, Chasen!" he shouts, a grin in his voice. The crowd's noise swells like a wave, eager for a show, but they fade to nothing more than a dull roar in my ears. In this charged moment, it's just Milli and me; everything else blurs at the edges.

As I hover above her, the world shrinks to this intimate bubble we've created. The heat from her skin under my lips sends a jolt through me, more potent than any drink I've ever had. The taste of tequila on her is a sweet burn, igniting a fire within that roars for more. Her gasp, delicate yet laden with unspoken promises, has my heart slamming against my chest. Her fingers tangle in my hair, a silent plea that anchors me to the here and now.

"Miles," Milli whimpers. She pushes herself up higher to watch the show. And god, if that whimper of hers doesn't make my balls tighten as I try not to come in my pants like a fourteen old boy.

I push her back, laying her down. Her sweet moans echo in my ears as I trail kisses up her neck, my hands venturing under her shirt. The crowd's cheers and jeers fade into nothingness.

Then someone mentions Luke's name, and it's like a bucket of ice water dumps over my head. Reality crashes back in a brutal wave. I pull back abruptly, my heart racing, my mind a chaotic storm. What the hell am I doing? This is Milli, Luke's sister, my best friend. The memories of our last mishap flood back, a stark reminder of the consequences.

She looks at me, her lip caught between her teeth, her eyes blazing with something that stirs a conflict deep within me. But I know I need to end this, now.

"Alright, that's enough!" I snap at the onlookers, pointing at them with a stern finger.

I zero in on Cam and Gunner, who are barely holding back their amusement. "This stays between us, you got that?" My voice is hard, my usual easygoing demeanor gone.

Cam looks at me, his expression shifting from amusement to surprise. He's never seen me this serious outside the football field.

"But Chasen," he starts.

But I'm not having any of it. "You didn't see a thing," I insist, my tone brooking no argument.

I need to get out of here, clear my head. I can't let things go any further. Not with Milli, not like this. It's time to put a stop to this madness before it spirals out of control.

Cam gives me a nod, his eyes flickering with understanding, as he states, "It stays between us." I just stand there, letting his words linger in the air. He awkwardly attempts a salute, some sort of Boy Scout gesture.

"Good," I reply, my voice firm. I try to keep my expression neutral, but a scowl inevitably forms. "Just remember what it feels like to have your balls intact."

I throw one last look at Milli. She's no longer biting her lip; instead, her eyes are narrowed, a storm of anger and something else swirling in them. I can't deal with this right now—I came here to unwind, not get tangled up in whatever this is. Frustration boiling over, I make a beeline for the door.

Pushing through the throng of partygoers, I finally reach the exit. Stepping out into the cool night air, I take a deep, calming breath. But before I can fully escape, I hear her voice.

"Miles, wait."

"Not now, Milli," I mutter, not stopping as I descend the steps.

Her hand catches my arm, halting me. She's looking at me with confusion, maybe frustration. "What was that back there?"

I reply with heavy sarcasm, "Oh, you know, just your typical belly shot."