Lustful Hearts
Chapter 41: Big Mіѕtаkе- P2

Roxanne's house was a ten-minute walk away. She was one of the sweetest girls in college, and we both adored. Elijah looked hot as usual, his statement quiff styled to perfection as we chatted walking arm in

arm.

It was only as my arm grazed against his, I noticed the impressive pair of guns he was now sporting.

I squeezed his bicep lightly. "Hey, someone's been working out?" I remarked, stopping to admire him. The short-sleeved black and white checked shirt he was wearing only seemed to accentuate his arms further.

He grinned with obvious delight. "Well, I got to stay in good shape to keep my man happy."

"I bet he's more than pleased, looks like you've been hitting the gym hard." My eyes roamed over his body, he had certainly buffed up over the last month. I guess I'd been too blind to notice the change. "Well, I stepped up my routine, you know when you're dating a hottie you can't let things slide." His hands glided down his tight abs and rested on his hips as he pouted, pulling his best modelling stance. I rolled my eyes at his response; he was never less than perfect on any given day. "Elijah, you've always been in great shape. I thought you were hot the moment I saw you, and it doesn't help you have the sexiest bum."

He chuckled with amusement. "Really? So you check out my bum a lot?"

I blushed at his question.

Why the hell would I admit to something like that?

"Well, it's pretty hard not to when you're forever in skinny jeans." I smiled when he turned around so I could have a sneaky peek in the tight black jeans he was wearing.

Seriously, it was like a peach.

"You know, Iz, you look smoking tonight. If I weren't batting for team Ryan, I would definitely fall for a girl like you."

I blushed at his words. "Thanks, I guess." I frowned, already hating the look of pity he was now shooting me.

His face dropped at my response. "Hey, I would in a heartbeat. Joel was stupid to ever throw you away. We are going to replace you your prince and you never know, he may just even be at this party." My eyes widened in horror at his words. "It's too soon-I can't," I stammered. I felt a rush of panic even contemplating being around another guy as I stepped back from him.

His arms reached out and grabbed me, drawing me back in. "Calm down, I'm just saying you never know what could happen, but I hope you at least have a cheeky flirt. Come on, say you'll do it for me." He pulled the puppy dog look, and I rolled my eyes, hating when he played that card.

"Fine," I snapped, not feeling at all happy. I would bite my tongue for the moment and let him believe that.

He turned me back around and wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we continued our short journey. As a means of distraction, Elijah filled me in on the latest gossip at college, which was all complete lies. The stories were beyond ridiculous but the mixture of exhilaration and pleasure, watching as his eyes dance with excitement throughout, stopped me from questioning anything. I just nodded and smiled, inwardly doing yet another eye roll, letting him have his moment.

The house was practically full to the rafters when we arrived. I was pretty sure we'd barely squeeze through the door, but Elijah would certainly attempt to drag me through anyway.

We passed by the hoards of hot sweaty bodies as the music reverberated off the walls. A group of girls caught my attention passing through.

I shook my head in amusement watching them grind hard against each other. Vying for the attention of several pairs of eyes locked on them from across the room.

Elijah dragged me through the crowd and grabbed us two beers. We headed out into the garden to make our way over to the familiar group of people from college.

I conceded, it actually felt good to be out and away from the stifling confines of my room. It was like leaving my own imprisonment, well at least for a short while. Maybe tonight wouldn't be so bad after all?

I sipped slowly on my beer, watching Elijah talk fashion with some of the girls in our group. The pretty, diamond-like fairy lights caught my eyes twinkling in the distance. For a second I was transported back to that fateful night together.

I wondered if I'd never pursued it, if I had recognized and accepted Joel for being the player he was, then I wouldn't have to deal with the cruel aftermath. Though the sad fact was I had always been in love with Joel.

I would have been willing for any opportunity to be with him. Just now I was tortured with the sweet, beautiful memories of our brief time together.

I quickly swiped away a tear, trying to quickly erase the memories from my head. I couldn't think about it tonight. I quickly gathered myself trying to gain back some composure. I was just grateful Elijah was too distracted to notice.

I tilted the last of my drink back; I needed a refill fast. Tonight was all about forgetting and I needed copious amounts of alcohol to achieve that.

I made my way by the crazy drunk guy throwing out some serious shapes as a group of people congregated around him. He was fast becoming the main attraction.

Pushing my way through to the kitchen, I stopped to stare at a cute guy pouring drinks. He seemed to be in charge of refills, so I grabbed a new cup from the stack. I smiled as I made my way over. "Hey, can I have some vodka, please?"

Beer wasn't doing anything to improve my mood so I was going to the next level.

"Allow me." He grinned, taking my cup filling it just over half way.

It was enough to blow my head off. I frowned as an amused grin spread across his lips. He knew fine well this was way overboard.

"That's too much can you tip some into another cup." I went to grab another, but he grasped my wrist and held it for several seconds as his fingers caressed my skin.

His eyes flashed up to mine. "It's a party, loosen up a little." He nudged me winking. I poured in some lemonade in a desperate attempt to dilute the vodka.

I took a sip, and my eyes bulged at just how potent it was. He was right about the party, I was often told to loosen up. I was highly strung and in danger of snapping, vodka would be my alcoholic friend tonight.

"I'm David, by the way." He smiled, and I reciprocated. He held my gaze a little longer than I was comfortable with, and my skin began to prickle.

My fingers picked awkwardly at the fabric of my dress. "Izzy," I murmured, dropping my eyes down to avoid any further contact.000