Tanner laughs and captures my lips in his, his hands squeezing my ass. “You’re fucking trouble.”
I meet his stare, a grin pulling at the corner of my lips. “Do you have a tripod? I think I should get you a tripod. That way you can use both hands and I’ll be able to see your face as well as your giant—”
“BRIELLLLLLLLLE,” Riley’s roar sails through the party as his strong hand curls around my waist, tearing me out of Tanner’s arms. He spins me around wildly before dropping me back to my feet and hooking his arm over my shoulder. “Where the fuck have you been, babe? Are you enjoying the party?”
I shove his heavy arm off my shoulder and shuffle back into Tanner’s chest only for his arms to immediately circle my waist. “Can’t complain,” I tell him. “It’s been pretty … thrilling so far.”
“Damn straight it has,” he says. “Come on. You two are fucking boring over here. There’s a party and I’m not about to let this fucker hoard you all night. Let’s get fucked up, and after that, we can snoop through Jax’s things. You know, I heard he has a sex dungeon in here somewhere.”
My eyes bug out of my head, and I gape up at the big asshole. “Bullshit,” I say as Tanner shakes his head. “Nah, there’s no fucking way.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die,” Riley vows. “Now let’s go.”
Riley drags me off the dance floor with Tanner following behind, irritated to have our moment bombarded. But while I love spending time with Tanner, I can’t lie, I’m excited about the idea of getting fucked up and enjoying my night with people who I trust to keep me safe and out of trouble. At least, only the bad kind of trouble. I’m open to anything else, especially if it involves Tanner.
Chapter 11
BRIELLE
We make our way over to the fancy fire pit, and now that I’ve had a closer look, I think I’m in love. The pit is sunken and has gorgeous lanterns around the outside, creating a border around us, and even though we’re out in the open, surrounded by party guests, I feel like it’s somewhat private.
The cushioned seating is inviting, and I drop down beside Hudson only to have Tanner yank me back up and take my place. He pulls me down into his lap and I melt into him, my arm looping around his neck as his hand rests against my thigh.
The girls join us a moment later, their hands filled to the brim with daiquiris and shots, and I’m not surprised when Riley pounces on them, hoarding a few for himself before handing them out and sending some dude I don’t know out for more.
I’ve barely been here for half an hour, and already this party beats anything I’ve ever seen. Hope Falls parties are clearly the bare minimum when it comes to letting loose.
Jax is missing in action, but Logan sits across the fire pit pretending to enjoy himself, though he looks like he’s about to throw up. Seeing his eyes locked on Chanel, I can only guess what’s on his mind.
The girls are laughing between themselves, and with Riley talking shit to Hudson, I turn to Tanner. “You know, I heard there’s some big-time dude in Broken Hill who could whoop your ass on the track.”
“Who? Nate Ryder?” he questions. My grin widens, confirming his thoughts. “That motherfucker is like none other on the track. He’d kick my ass a million times over. Though I think the better question is, how do you know him?”
“Jealous?” I question. He gives me a blank stare, and I glance toward Ilaria, but can’t help noticing the way Arizona throws back shot after shot. “Ilaria’s got a hard-on for him and his brother, Jesse. She talks about them every chance she gets.”
Tanner laughs and nods toward the poker game in the middle of the pool to a bunch of guys I’ve never met before. “That’s them in the pool,” he says, bringing my attention to the two guys at the left of the table, each of them looking like the best kind of snack, but to me, no one compares to Tanner. There are a few guys surrounding them and a bunch of girls who look like they’d claw the eyes out of anyone who gets too close. But there’s no questioning it, the way the big guy watches the girl in the black bikini, it’s clear they’re meant to be together.
“A lot of us racers are pretty tight,” Tanner explains. “Plus, I think Nate is Logan’s man crush. I caught him googling the asshole once, and he makes a point to invite him and his brother to all of our parties. Though, I think Ilaria should find someone a little more attainable. They’re practically hitched to their girls. She doesn’t stand a chance in hell.”