Takedown Read online

  It was forty-five minutes before the taxi pulled up in front of the bar. Kiki was thankful that it was close to her house too. She hadn’t spent as much time getting ready as she would have liked to, but she didn’t want to keep him waiting, and thought that his friends might think she was super high maintenance made her cringe.

  She had opted for black skinny jeans, her most casual black wedges, and a boatneck teal shirt. She didn’t have time to fix her hair enough to remove the bumps from it being up in a ponytail, so she pulled a couple of tendrils forward and curled the ends. She pulled her hobo bag from the car and paid the driver. She took a minute for a deep breath and exhale before squaring her shoulders and heading through the entrance.

  She stood inside the doors a moment, scanning the room, but it was the roar of laughter that pulled her attention to three men sitting at a tall bar table toward the back. She caught the side profile of Wade and made her way toward him, winding through the packed pub.

  Kiki put on her best smile as two pairs of wide eyes focused on her as she gently tapped on Wade’s shoulder. Wade whipped around, startling her and forcing her back a step. It was only a couple of heartbeats before both arms wrapped around her and a hard-sloppy kiss with the hint of liquor took her. Kiki let him pull back from the kiss, happy that he didn’t try to push it further. She could already feel the blush wash over her face.

  “Babe, I’m glad you could make it.”

  “Me too.” Kiki giggled.

  “Here, have a seat.” Wade pulled out the tall barstool next to him, scooting it closer to him in the process.

  Kiki’s anxiety calmed down at the obvious pride Wade took in having her there. The very public kiss made her swoon a bit. In past relationships, she’d always been the more affectionate one, so she enjoyed being the center of his attention.

  “Hey, asshole, you gonna introduce us?” the good-looking blond called across the round table.

  “That’s Parker.” Wade nodded to the man who had just spoken. “And this is Landon.” Wade pointed to the dark-haired guy sitting next to her.

  Well, sort of next to her. Wade had moved the barstool close enough to himself that another stool could fit between Kiki and Landon. She wondered if they were expecting more company. Their girlfriends possibly? Or if this was another jealousy thing?

  “This is Kiki.” Wade placed his hand on her thigh under the table, sending tingles up her body.

  “Hey, guys.”

  When the table went quiet for a minute she wasn’t sure if she’d done something wrong. Maybe she had something on her face? Was she supposed to say something? She let her hand settle on top of Wade’s as she gave it a gentle squeeze, looking for reassurance.

  “You’re awfully quiet. Isn’t this where the interrogation starts? Or is that reserved for women to do with their friends’ new boyfriends?”

  Everyone chuckled.

  “How about we get you a drink before we try to figure out what in the hell you’re doing with Wade. ’Cause, honey, you’re way out of his league,” Landon said, leaning over and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, giving her a little shake.

  “She sure as hell is!” Wade agreed. “Back off, Landon.” Wade playfully pushed Landon’s arm off Kiki’s shoulder.

  “That’s sweet, thank you.” Kiki smiled and nervously fixed her ponytail.

  “I’ll go get us another round. Kiki, what will you have?” Parker asked.

  “I’ll have an orange creamsicle.”

  When the group stifled a laugh, she shook her head. “What?”

  “It’s just that’s a very girly drink,” Landon teased.

  “I guess that’s good for Wade, I don’t get the feeling he’s into guys.” Kiki tried to tease back.

  She liked to be the center of Wade’s attention, but not all the attention. In the past, if a situation like this would have come up she would have shut down, crawling into her own head. But tonight she seemed to be doing okay breaking the ice.

  “Touché. I’ll be right back.”

  “So, you work at the gym?” Landon asked.

  “Yeah. For a few months now. I really love it there.”

  “You must be a big fan of MMA then?”

  “It’s kind of funny, I think that’s why Vi hired me, because I know nothing about the sport.”

  “How can you not be a fan of MMA?” Parker asked, setting the drinks down on the table. He slid her milky orange drink, topped with whipped cream, over to her, as well as a shot glass full of clear liquor.

  “What’s this?” She looked up at Wade.

  “Vodka, I’m sure. You don’t have to drink it if you don’t want.” Wade smiled down at her.

  Peer pressure was real. And right now, in front of her new boyfriend’s friends, she didn’t want to look like a prude. It wasn’t the vodka that worried her as much as the fact that she wasn’t much of a drinker and there was a real possibility that she might spit it out everywhere.

  “I’m good.”

  The group picked up their shots, clinking the glasses together in cheers. “Here’s to old friends and new friends!” Wade offered.

  The liquid was cool at first, but quickly turned to pepper on her tongue, and she swallowed it down hard, trying to ignore the burn in her chest. She pulled her cocktail over and took a few sips to wash the gross taste out of her mouth.

  “Have you gone to a fight yet, at least?” Parker asked.

  “Oh sure. I’ve gone to a few with Vi and Leena.”

  “What’d ya think?”

  “I love it! I’m actually training in a little bit of MMA. Not like I would ever fight, but it’s a lot of fun,” Kiki said, sitting up in her chair eagerly.

  “Oh yeah? Now I’d pay to see that, one of the MMA girls teaching you to fight.” Landon’s crude comment made her mouth drop.

  “Hey now,” Kiki warned.

  Whoa. That liquor must have been doing its job, she was already scolding Wade’s friend, being playful and teasing. It was nice for a change, like a weight lifted off her shoulders. She wasn’t so worried about everything, overthinking every word she was going to say before she said it, trying to figure out how it would go over with the group of men.

  But when she felt Wade fidget in his seat, it made her nervous. She was just getting comfortable, but she must have said or done something wrong. She patted his leg under the table in a reassuring manner, hoping to comfort both of them.

  “I just hope it’s not Jessica,” Parker mumbled, but not low enough for Kiki to miss it.

  “Actually, it’s Joshua. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with him, but he’s been fighting for the gym for quite some time.”

  Both men whipped their heads toward Wade with raised eyebrows, and she regretted mentioning Joshua. That’s what it was. Just like the girls had said the other day; to the outside, the situation looked weird. It was easy to see his friends would be giving him hell about it later. And that made her feel like crap. She wanted to be the perfect girlfriend, the one who lifted him up, and now she probably made him look like a fool.

  “Do you guys have girlfriends?” Kiki asked, breaking the silence. She was hoping to have some female reinforcement coming in at some point.

  “Ha! No.” Wade scoffed.

  “Oh.” Kiki nodded.

  “It’s purely by choice,” Landon defended. “I haven’t had a woman as pretty as you try to lock me down.” He winked at her.

  “Cut it out, dude,” Wade bantered. “There are plenty of other women for you to hit on. My girl is off limits.”

  “It was just a compliment.” Landon chuckled.

  Kiki patted Wade’s leg as she stood up. “Where are the bathrooms?” She needed a minute to think.

  “You okay?” Wade asked, turning toward her as the other men pretended to not watch them.

  “Yes. Totally.” Kiki pressed a kiss to his lips. “Bathroom?”

  Wade pointed over his shoulder. “Right down that hallway. You’ll see the signs.”

  “He
y, Kiki,” Parker called before she turned. “Wanna another drink?”

  Kiki giggled. “Yeah, right. How about a water?”

  The men at the table had a good laugh at that as she walked away.

  She’d thought about calling in reinforcements—surely Vi and Leena would help her out—but reconsidered. If tonight was a bust, they were going to have to figure it out. Better now than later. If his friends hated her, or they couldn’t make it through a social outing, they needed to know. Tonight was a couple test.

  Damn it. She was starting to overthink everything again. Maybe she would reconsider another shot of vodka.

  Kiki fluffed up her ponytail and glossed her lips before leaving the ladies’ room.

  “Excuse me. I love your shoes!” A blonde girl with a bob cut, reached out for her, effectively stopping her.

  “Oh. Ah. Thanks.” Kiki was taken aback by the compliment.

  “And that top is soo cute. It’s a great color on you!” the girl sitting next to the blonde said.

  “Oh, thanks. I’m Kiki.”

  She’d never really gotten compliments from random women, and didn’t know how to handle it exactly.

  “So, we have a huge favor to ask,” the blonde said.

  And there it was. No one ever gave something for free. You couldn’t just make a new friend without them wanting something. Maybe they didn’t even like her outfit, and it was only an excuse to talk to her.

  “I guess that depends on what it is.”

  “We see you’re with the cute brown-haired guy, but what about the other two guys, did they come here with anyone?”

  Kiki didn’t see that coming. And surprisingly, it was exactly what she needed, what she’d wished for—female reinforcements. They were respectful of the fact that she was with Wade, and the compliments were nice. In this instance, she was okay with the girls using her to get to the men, because she was going to use them as a buffer.

  “Surprisingly, no. Do you want to come meet them? I could use some estrogen over there.” Kiki giggled.

  “OMG. That would be great. Thanks.” The blonde stood. “I’m Megan, and this is Julie.” She pointed to her friend who was grabbing her purse from the chair.

  “Nice to meet you,” Kiki said. “So, I guess, just follow me?” She shrugged as the girls picked up their drinks, following her.

  “Hey,” Kiki said, announcing her arrival back to the table and breaking up the deep conversation the men were having.

  “Hey, baby. I ordered you another drink, and a water.” He kissed her cheek, and she was grateful for the additional cocktail available.

  “Thanks.” She smiled up at him. “So.” Kiki cleared her throat. “I hope you guys don’t mind, but I made some new friends and I thought they could sit with us?” Kiki asked the group of men. “This is Megan and Julie. Ladies, this is Parker and Landon.” Kiki made the introductions. “And this is my boyfriend, Wade.”

  As the girls settled in, Wade pulled Kiki close to him. “You didn’t have to do that, bringing those girls over here, they would have found their way on their own.”

  “I don’t mind, really. It felt weird being the only girl at the table.”

  Wade nodded before nuzzling his nose in her hair, his mouth reaching her ear. The intimate action in a public place would have made her cheeks hot if the cocktail hadn’t already. Frantic, she looked around the table, but no one seemed to notice the affection, or at least be bothered by it. It’s not high school, Kiki!

  “I liked the way you said boyfriend.” His husky words puffed in her ear, sending a warm thrill up her spine. “You’re coming home with me tonight, right?”

  Wade pulled back, his eyes seeking hers. The fire in his eyes was a clear sign that he was prepared this time.

  “Yes, please,” Kiki said with a coy smile.

  Wade’s lips found hers for a quick, hard kiss.

  “Hey, you two!” Landon called. “Enough of that shit. The next round is here.”

  Next round, ugh. Kiki shook her head. Exhaling, she mentally prepared herself for another shot of the clear liquor. She’d come this far. Met his friends, invited girls to the table, and she was sure the night was going to end with her tangled up with Wade. The liquid courage couldn’t hurt, and at this point might be a little necessary.

  Wade grabbed a shot for each of them. “You sure?” Wade asked before sliding the shot over.

  “Yep.” Kiki smiled.

  Parker lifted his shot glass first. “To old friends, new friends, and awesome girlfriends!”

  Aww. Kiki’s heart melted a bit. Parker seemed to approve, but she had a feeling it had something to do with the girls she’d brought. Either way, she would take it.

  They clinked the glasses together, and she poured back the shot like she had the first one. This one went back smoother, still warm, burning down her chest, but the pepper on her tongue was gone. The second shot was much easier to take. She imagined that it would only be easier each time, and that was dangerous.

  “Whoa. That wasn’t so bad.” Kiki smiled up at Wade.

  “The shot or the night?” he asked.

  “Both, I guess. Your friends don’t seem to hate me.” Kiki nodded to the men who were busy chatting up Megan and Julie.

  “No. I’m sure they don’t hate you. I think the word awesome was used.” Wade winked. “They just might kill me if you ever break-up with me.”

  Kiki pulled her bottom lip between her teeth at the goofy grin threatening her face. Break-up with Wade...yeah, right. She’d do whatever it took to make him stay, until it broke her, if it came to that. She was falling hard. Right? Or was this the booze talking? No. It was her heart; her head was just too drunk to interrupt this time.

  Chapter 13

  Having drinks with Wade’s friends had gone smoother than Kiki had expected. She was thankful that the bold girls from the bar had stopped her. Not that she was so naïve to believe they were interested in a friendship with her. They had just been using her for an invitation, but the harsh reality was she’d been used for worse.

  The heat in her cheeks and the goofy perma-grin were proof of her level of intoxication. Tonight was the most she’d ever had to drink, and probably the quickest she’d ever agreed to go home with a man, even if that man was her boyfriend.

  Kiki sat snuggled into the nook of Wade’s arm as the cab found its way in the night. His hand was drawing circles high on her thigh. As simple as the touch was, it was making her mouth dry and nipples hard.

  Wade brushed back a piece of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. He leaned in, his mouth close as he began to whisper. The scent of beer on his breath made it clear that he was buzzed, that and the fact that the whisper wasn’t exactly quiet. But she didn’t care.

  “Baby, you’re still in charge, but I’m not sure I’m going to be able to keep my hands off you once I get you to my place.”

  “Good,” Kiki said boldly. Reaching up, she placed her hand on his smooth cheek. “I’ve never made out in the back seat of a car before.”

  What the hell? What’s gotten into you! Wade, that’s what.

  His wild hands in her hair, firm lips crushing on to hers, with a sloppy tongue pushing its way into her mouth, it was all she could do to keep up with him. It was when his hand worked its way up her thigh, reaching her breast, rubbing and teasing, that it hit her that they were in the back seat of a stopped car. With a driver watching them.

  Kiki pulled back from Wade, and he furrowed his brow at her in confusion. She nodded at the driver who now sat eyes forward.

  “I think we’re here.”

  Wade nodded, paying the driver before offering Kiki his hand and helping her out of the cab. It was sweet gestures, simple things like this that melted her heart. This is all she wanted—a life with a man she loved full of small, intimate signs of love and compassion. Love? She shook it off; that was a thought for another day, a sober day.

  Wade wrapped Kiki’s hand in the crook of his arm, leading her to the double doo
rs of his building. It was silent as they made their way through the lobby to the elevators.

  “Which floor are you on?” she managed to ask once they were inside the elevator.

  The dynamic had changed since the pleasant attack in the back of the cab. Not awkward, but more like small talk. She didn’t hate it, but the idea of being groped in an elevator wasn’t something she could handle, not after the cab ride. Kiki was only so adventurous.

  “I’m on eight,” he said as he pushed the button. “Vi’s on five.”

  Oh yeah, they lived in the same building.

  “I’m forewarning you, my place isn’t anywhere as nice as yours.”

  Kiki smiled. She wondered if he was starting to get nervous about having her over.

  “Is it a true bachelor pad with limited furniture and pizza boxes everywhere?”

  Wade laughed. “No, not that bad. I rented the place out, fully furnished, when I was in Oregon, so it’s very basic.”

  “That’s really smart.” Then a thought hit Kiki. “Do you have a roommate?” The conversation had never come up, nor had he offered the information. Perhaps that was the reason he hadn’t invited her over yet?

  “No. No roommate.” Wade smiled down at her.

  * * * *

  Wade had barely shut and locked the door when Kiki jumped into his arms. Catching her, he stumbled back a step. He hadn’t drank as much as he’d done on other nights, but that was because Kiki was there. He wanted to keep his wits about him, but he was buzzing hard for sure.

  Kiki’s legs and arms wrapped around him as she kissed up his neck. Taking his earlobe between her teeth, she tugged on it. Wade had never seen her so brazen, and he was enjoying being on the receiving end of it. Without as much as flipping on a light he carried her to the open kitchen, setting her on the counter.

  “Kiki, I need you…so fucking bad.” Wade was desperate.

  All the teasing they’d done was now coming to a head. Literally. He didn’t have the patience to be graceful, polite, or ease her into the impending lovemaking. Wade didn’t want to wait any longer. He wanted his cock buried deep into that tight pussy of hers. He throbbed at the idea. And right now she seemed okay with that.