16

Archer
As I turn around, I almost spill them when I see Adrianna step through the entrance. She’s alone, thankfully, and wearing the most exquisite emerald green evening gown that makes her tanned skin look richer.
Her long dark brown hair is curled, which makes a difference from the dead straight way she normally wears it. And she’s wearing subtle make-up that highlights her natural beauty. It’s the second time I’ve ever seen Adrianna wear makeup, the first was last week at that bar.
Bly approaches. “You’re staring.”
I can’t take my eyes off of her. “Can you blame me?”
“You look like a lovesick puppy. Pull yourself together.” His serious tone breaks me out of my daze as I glance at him.
“Don’t be such an asshole.”
“Seriously, Arch. What’s with the Vasquez girl? Why don’t you pick someone else? Someone easier.”
I clench my jaw and glare at him. “Are you suggesting that I normally only want easy girls?”
“No, I’m asking if she’s worth all the hassle?”
The answer is certain in my mind that Vasquez is indeed worth all this hassle and so much more.
I want her so badly it’s become an obsession. She is on my mind day and fucking night. And seeing her looking like this only makes my desire for her deepen.
If she is meeting a date here, then I can’t be sure that I won’t be the one starting the fight tonight. Adrianna belongs to me, even if she denies it. After the kiss we shared, I know she feels this connection, too.
Hernandez approaches her, the creep getting too close to her for my liking. Thankfully, he gets too close for Adrianna too as she moves away, looking uncomfortable.
“Seriously, Arch. You’re being very obvious.” He clears his throat. “Don’t you need to deliver that wine to someone?”
I glance down, remembering that I’d gone to get a drink for Sophia. “Fuck, yeah I do.” I search the crowd for her and see she’s now chatting to Oak, who must have snuck in. “See you soon.”
Bly grunts in response and pulls his flask out, taking a long swig. The guy is a borderline alcoholic with the amount he drinks.
Sophia is lingering on the other side of the hall with Elaine.
I approach her. “Sorry it took so long,” I say, passing her the wine, which is hardly worth drinking. It’s so watered down.
“Thanks,” she says, smiling.
Elaine clears her throat. “I’m surprised you’re even drinking the alcohol here.” She gives me a point glance. “Don’t you and Blaine normally bring your own?”
I pull my flask out of my pocket. “Of course.”
She shakes her head. “Let me guess, whiskey?”
“What else?” I ask.
Elaine holds her paper cup toward me. “Share some?”
I grit my teeth, as I’ve got a feeling I’m going to need the entire contents of the flask this evening. “Fine.” I pour a small amount of whiskey into her cup.
“Thank you.” She holds it up and then downs my whiskey.
“You’re welcome.” I glance around the hall, searching for Adrianna, but don’t see her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Sophia looks disappointed, but nods. “Of course. See you later.”
I walk the perimeter of the hall, searching for that emerald dress and the beauty in it, but can’t see her. Until a swish of green catches my eye and I see her on the dance floor with Nik Kushev.
My fists clench as his hand is way too low on her back. It’s almost on her ass. And no one should touch her ass but me.
The music is provocative, and rage bubbles inside of me as I make my way over to them. Adrianna notices me and tightens her grasp on Nik’s hand and she whispers something into his ear.
Nik’s hand dips lower and I’m about ready to murder him. When Bly steps into my path and places his hands on my shoulders. “Pull it together, Arch. We can’t have you killing a student at the winter formal.”
“Get out of my way, Bly.”
“I won’t let you act like a fucking fool. You’re chaperoning this dance. Stop acting like a student.”
I draw in a deep breath to calm my rage, as I don’t feel like having a fist fight with Bly. We both know I’d lose. The guy is insane. “Fine.” I turn around and march off the dance floor, Bly close behind.
“You’ve lost your mind over this girl, haven’t you?” He says.
I shake my head. “No, I get pissed off when I see someone touching what is mine. Especially a weasel like Nik Kushev.”
Bly gives me a stern glare. “Sort it out or I’ll set Oak on you next.”
My brow furrows. “Where the hell is Oak?”
“He’s around somewhere. I saw him when you went to the bar.”
I sigh heavily, unable to tear my eyes off of Adrianna, who is still dancing with Nik. Bly heads off in the opposite direction and I move closer to where Adrianna is dancing, ready to swoop in the moment she stops dancing with that Russian bastard.
Finally, Nik bows out and leaves her alone on the side of the dance floor, offering me the perfect opportunity to get her alone. I walk toward her from behind, knowing that if she saw me coming, she’d probably find a way to avoid me.
Once I’m a foot behind her, I place my hands on her hips and lean in to her ear. “You look beautiful, baby girl.”
She stiffens the moment she hears my voice, spinning around to face me. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.”
I step closer to her. “I’ll do whatever I want, Vasquez. Now dance with me.” I place my hand in front of her and she just glares at me.
“No.”
“I don’t enjoy hearing that word.”
Her jaw clenches. “Well, get used to it because you will hear it a lot from me.” She spins to walk away, but I capture her wrist and pull her back against me.
“You need to dance with at least one man who knows what the fuck he’s doing.”
Her nostrils flare. “I don’t need to do anything.” She tears her hand from my grasp and crosses the dance floor at speed, heading for the exit of the hall, which is a big mistake.
I follow her, possessive rage boiling inside of me as I chase her like a wolf starving for his next meal.
She glances over her shoulder, eyes widening when she sees I’m following her.
I smirk, as a darkness I didn’t even know I harbored inside of me comes to the surface.
Adrianna escapes into the corridor and I follow her, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. It’s as if her refusing me has made me primal and possessive in a way I’ve never been before over a woman.
Once we’re in the corridor, alone, she spins on me. “Just leave me alone, Coach. How many times do I have to tell you I’m not interested?”
I don’t say a word as I walk toward her, forcing her to take steps backward until she’s against the wall. The moment her back hits the solid surface, her eyes widen and I can see her eyes dart to the side as she considers her escape, but I won’t allow it. Instead, I cage her in with both of my hand either side of her.
I won’t let her get away so easily. It’s my last chance before winter break to obliterate the barrier between us.