Chapter 10

UNEDITED 

That evening, even after telling Landen that she doesn't like dancing, he practically hounded River until she agreed to go with him. Like, barge in house, invade her closet, and push her in the shower. He hated all her clothes, all of it. He rummaged through until he found items that were still in gift bags. He ended up picking out a pair of black shorts, a scarlet-red armless blouse that dipped low in the cleavage area and, ankle-strap red heels. She had to admit he had good taste and knew what would suit her body. Even himself he dressed with thought. He wore dark jeans, and a crisp white dress shirt with sleeves rolled up enough to show off his ink. A Rolex was bedazzling his right wrist, simply adding to is debonair like appearance.

Once they arrived in the club, there was a lengthy line but, they were let in by the bouncers automatically. A waitress escorted them to a small circular table in a corner behind an open royal blue curtain. They were treated like VIPs. A new experience for River. She tried not to show her awe.

"Two tequila shots please." He orders once they are both seated.

River glances around awkwardly. Believe it or not, she was very naive when it came to this kind of stuff. She didn't care too live this part of life, but that didn't stop her mouth from dropping open at all the vulgar dancing going on. Some of the people were making out, others were nearly having sex. "This isn't for me." She turns back to find Landen watching this Latin-bombshell across the room. She was surrounded by more Latin-bombshells and, starring at him too. He seemed not to have an ounce of reserve in him. He was making this girl turn bright red with a fade smile.

"Let's dance." He turns to her suddenly.

"No way." She stresses firmly.

"Why do you keep yourself in sorrow? Do you like to be sad all the time?" He leans back in his seat and folds his arms.

"No. I'm not sad." She denies.

"Then let go of all of your baggage for a night Ree. Be open to let yourself have some fun. What's it gonna do, kill you?"

Her shoulders drop. "I guess your right but, I just don't think this is my kind of fun though."

"You've done this before then." He assumes sarcastically.

"No, but-"

"I didn't think so. How would you know it isn't your type of fun then?" He proves his point.

The waitress comes back, she places down two shot glasses with lime and salt on the table. "Here you are." The blond smiles sweetly.

"Thanks." Landen peeks over at her name tag. "Monica." He plays with her name on his mouth and then adds a wink.

She blushes of course. "Anything else?" It was funny how she didn't look at River once.

"I'll let you know."

"Ew." River announces as soon as she's gone. "Your disgusting."

"Because I like to flirt?" He passes her a shot.

"No thanks." She pushes it back.

He shrugs before taking both shots back to back. "Come on. I brought you here to dance so, we're gonna dance." He stands and extends both of his hands out.

"No dry humping." She warns him as she points at an example.

"Of course not." He promises.

Hesitantly, she places her palms in his, lets him pull her up, and lead her to the dance floor. "Wouldn't this make her think we're dating." She reminds him about his new table of friends once her hands settle on his shoulders.

He wraps his forearm around her waist and takes one of her hands in his. "That would make it even better." He takes lead with their dance and sways her side to side gently.

"How so?"

"Men become more attractive to a woman when he's off the market. So, let her assume we're together. The easier it will be to get her in my bed."

"Eww." She pulls her head back to look at him. "That's why you brought me here right? To pick up a girl? And that's not true by the way. Girls are not more attracted when a man is taken."

"Oh no? How many women have you picked up?"

"None but, I am one, and, I went to school with a bunch of them."

"It's practically my art as a man to know the science of woman Ree. Don't fight me on this."

She rolls her eyes. "Doesn't mean your science is right."

"In your opinion." He spins her unexpectedly.

They dance for barely a few minutes before her phone rings. She pulls away and takes it out of her pocket. "Shoot. It's my mom. Excuse me." She glances back up at Landen to find him starring at his new lady friend. "Really?" She raises a brow.

"Your hair really smells good" Was his defense.

"Save your compliments for someone who would believe them." She runs off the dance floor and began panicking for a quiet place. It was either, let her mother know where she was, or create an anxiety attack within her by not answering. She gets to the line for the bathroom. "Hello." She answers.

"Where are you?" Lucille asks straight away.

"Umm..." She looks around for an answer.

"Is that music?"

"Yes." She bites her lips. "I'm with Landen. He's taking me dancing."

"Dancing?" He said the word like her daughter said prostituting.

"It's okay mom, you can trust me."

"Are you drinking?"

"No; of course not."

"I don't like this. Come home now."

"No; I'm just having a little fun and, Landen is here with me. I'm not looking for any guys."

"I love Landen sweetie but, I wish I knew for sure he wouldn't put the girl that he is going to take home before you."

She narrows her eyes back to the dance floor and finds him dancing with a new partner. "I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."

"River, just come home"

"I will, in an hour or so, please just trust me, I'll be fine."

"River-"

"Love you, mom." She hangs up.

Not wanting to be a disturb or, dance with Landen, she goes back to their table and orders a soda. The truth was, she wanted to go home but, also didn't want to leave Landen high and dry. She knew after seeing her cry today, he is trying to cheer her up. What was she going to do at home anyway? Most likely wallow in self-pity and have an endless, sleepless night. So, she sips on her soda and, engrosses herself in the almost erotic dancing. She found it most entertaining watching Landen in his element. Making his challenge for the evening quiver before him. That girl seemed to not be equipped enough to handle him.

River had no idea how much time passed before she is touched on her shoulder. She covers her heart as if to stop it from breaking out of her ribs. She had to blink twice for clarification that yes, she is in fact seeing Ryan.

"River. What are you doing here?" He asks in an accusatory tone.

She wanted to ask the same question. She really wanted to bark stay away every time he came near but. "Hanging out." She puts the straw in her mouth.

"Where is Landen?" He puts his hands in his pocket and moves in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" She changes the subject.

He fixes his jacket to be neatly set on his ab's be for replying. "Your mother called me, she's worried."

"I can't believe she sent you here." She begins to crack her knuckles in her lap. A habit long developed for a release of anger.

"I came on my own. She asked if I knew where Landen might take you to dance." He explains.

She exhales. "Oh." Still didn't help her with her need not be around him.

"What is this?" He takes her drink and brings it near his nose. Then he places back down when he smells no alcohol. "Where is Landen?" He asks again.

Knowing she had no choice, she pointed him out on the dance floor.

His jaw sets in place when he spots his little brother. "He left you alone?"

"No; I don't want to dance."

"He brought you here, he should be here with you."

"It's okay. I'm having fun." She sips on her soda like... look-see.

He shakes his head. "Come on, I'm taking you home."

Landen, finally notices what's been transpiring, and coolly excuses himself from his dance partner. "I'm starting to wonder what that waitress put in my drink. This isn't your kind of place big brother. Who do I give credit to for this divine occurrence?" His twisted arrogance was in full throttle.

"I'm taking her home." His brother affirms.

"Should've known, you smelled fun happening here. You're here to light depression scented candles and set it on every table".

Ryan cocks a brow. "She was sitting here alone. That's having fun?

"You would need clarity on the fun, wouldn't you. I was letting her get comfortable. That's the thing that happens before fun." Landen folds his arms. What? Did you think I was just going to leave her here and bring home someone else? Of course, you did."

"You brought her here, you should be with her. That would make her your responsibility. Why is she alone? And, what if something happened to her while you were dancing the night away?"

Landen tightens his fist. Anger made him take a step forward.

River stands and moves between them. "Gentlemen, I'm a big girl." She stretches her hands out creating some distance."

"I was very aware of where she was, and what she was doing." Landen defends and continues the argument like River didn't speak a word.

"Sure." Ryan agrees disinterestedly.

"How about a little more dancing Ree?" Landen diverts his eyes to her.

Instantly, his big brother grabs her wrist and pulls her to his side. "She's is going home. I can't trust you with her."

All River could do was gasp at the shock of how quickly it all happened, but now as she stared at him in confusion, the magnetic pull between them, was starting to tug her into a trance.

The action also put strange eyes on Landen. He diverts his eyes from the tight grip on River's wrist to his brothers turned serious glare. "Do you want to go home River?" He pushes the envelope just to see and then watches Ryan adjust his grip.

"I have to pee." She blurts out. She really did and, that sizzling where Ryan was touching her needed to stop. She pulls her hand from his. "I'll just be right back." She takes two steps before realizing what she was leaving behind. She turns back around quickly. "Separate." She orders.

Both brothers drew their brows together.

"You heard me." She places her hands on her hips. "If the two of you are going to act like children, I'm going to start treating both of you like children. "Landen, you have a friend calling you with her eyes, and Ryan, sit." She points her chin at the table.

Neither moved.

"Please." She folds her hands as if in prayer. "I have a weak bladder."

Ryan is the first to move. He pulls out a chair and takes a seat.

"Thank you." She hurries off.

Landen takes a step back, turns around and starts walking away, but then he stops. This thing his brother had with River, was questioning. His big brother affected a novelty. Now that he thought about it, his brother was always effected by River, affected enough to play meaningless games. He turns around and looks at him.

Ryan's eyes were trailing River's every move. Lustfully, they slid onto her back and dragged down her thighs. It was for a short three seconds, but he was caught.

"He wants her." Landen realizes out loud. "The bastard has no idea what it's like having a sister." He laughs. His big brother, who didn't lust after anything, let alone anyone, wants something or, better yet someone, he can't have. "Waitress!" He yells to the closest one near him. "A round of drinks for everyone, on me."

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