Lilac: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

When Loren proposed showing me Vegas, I assumed he’d meant we’d be going as a group. Stepping off the bus in my sequin dress and strappy heels, I suddenly felt self-conscious when I discovered the bassist waiting alone. Finally, the question that had been circling my mind had an answer.

This was a date.

Somehow, I’d agreed to a date with Loren James.

Okay, deep breaths.

Maybe it wasn’t what I thought. Maybe Houston and Rich were already waiting in the car. They’d disappeared the moment we rolled into town, but they might have come back while I was in the shower.

“I underestimated you,” Loren greeted as I approached.

I let his gaze rake over me once I stopped in front of him and returned the favor by doing the same to him. Loren wore all black, making his blond hair appear lighter and his eyes even darker. The double-breasted vest he wore had white pinstripes, and he’d pushed up his shirt sleeves to show off the veins in his forearms and expensive watch. He’d even buttoned the front and tucked his medallion inside.

“How so?”

Pulling me close, Loren gripped my chin before whispering, “I bet you knew exactly how crazy you’d drive me in that dress. A virgin wouldn’t have a clue.”

“Something tells me you underestimate women in general.”

He snorted before letting me go. “No, just you.”

I didn’t respond as he opened the back door of the silver car that he’d been standing next to. I didn’t recognize the brand, but it looked like it cost more than all the pennies I’d ever made.

“After you.” He waved me in, and though the gesture was gallant, I knew his motives were less so. I shot him a sharp look before climbing inside.

“Satisfied?” I asked after he settled in next to me. My gold dress only stopped mid-thigh, much shorter than I remembered when I splurged on it a year ago. It wasn’t the kind of “flash” I was going for, but it had Vegas written all over it.

“You’d have to be wearing considerably less.” I pressed my thighs together, but of course, he clocked my every move. I’d underestimated him too. Loren wasn’t the airhead he pretended to be. He was smart, observant, and quick. What I liked most, but would never admit, was that he didn’t care about rules. “Just say when.”

“Never would be the answer to that, Loren.”

“Why? Because Houston said so?” He scoffed at the notion.

“Because I don’t want you,” I argued as convincingly as I could. The sideways glance he cast me made it clear he wasn’t buying my bullshit. Fuck.

“Then, why are you here?”

“I recall you offering to show me around.”

He laughed at that, an arrogant and husky sound while staring out the window. It was no match for the caustic smile that went with it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen straighter, whiter teeth. His lips that spouted cruelty on a whim was what really dazzled me. They called to my natural need to sin.

The city became brighter, louder, and more chaotic the closer to the center or rather the strip we got. I watched people herd themselves up and down the crowded sidewalk and outdoor escalators. Frantic tourists rushed in and out of casinos, shops, and restaurants, while others were content toting their frozen drinks from Fat Tuesday in the dry heat.

Turning away from watching out the window, I found Loren already studying me. “Are Houston and Rich meeting us?”

He lifted a mocking brow. “You’re smarter than that.”

My heart began pounding wildly in my chest. If he wouldn’t beat around the bush, neither would I. “This is not a date. I didn’t agree to that.”

“Then call it a pregame to fucking. Feel better?”

My lips parted and closed. Whenever words formed, they became lodged in my throat. Loren didn’t seem at all bothered by my stunned silence.

Nope.

He’d already pulled out his phone to play Subway Surf.

I was most disappointed by the fact that if he told me to spread my legs for him right now, I’d do it. It was a slim chance, but still…it was more than he deserved.

When the car slowed to a stop, it wasn’t at some glitzy hotel. It was someone’s home. A mansion, to be exact. The driveway was lined with more luxury cars as they waited for valet. When it was our turn, Loren took my hand and gently helped me from the car. He then placed that same hand on the small of my back and steered me toward the entrance. I felt his thumb rubbing my spine and took a deep breath. He’d been an asshole far too long for me to be fooled by his charm.

“Where are we?”

“It’s called The Palace. It’s a low-key spot with high-stakes games.”

“How high are we talking?”

Loren and I shared a meaningful look before he focused his attention on the woman in a dress tighter and shorter than mine. Two armed guards surrounded her.

“Mr. James, we’re pleased to have you back with us. Is it just you,” she asked, completely dismissing the fact that his arm was literally wrapped around me, “or will Mr. Morrow and Mr. Noble be joining you this evening?”

“As you can see, I’m not alone. If you want, though, I can pass Houston your number. I hear the thirty-seventh time is the charm.”

The poor girl’s cheeks reddened from Loren putting her in her place. Even when he was subtle, he wasn’t. She’d snubbed me, and somehow, I still felt bad for her. The fact that she had a crush on Houston and not Loren made her reasons even more confusing. Maybe she wanted them both. It was also possible she was pretending interest in Houston to make Loren jealous and—

Now my head was spinning.

It seemed to be a side effect whenever I strayed too close to Houston, Loren, or Jericho.

“That won’t be necessary,” she answered. The poor girl looked ready to drop dead.

Loren showed her a matte black card with nothing on it. It wasn’t until she scanned it with her phone that it revealed a barcode that spelled out The Palace. After that, she waved us in with a tight smile.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I disagree,” he casually said as he led me through the dimly lit foyer. “She didn’t have to be a bitch to you.”

“Because only you reserve that right?” How dare he play the hero when he was no different?

Glancing down at me, I wasn’t prepared for him to usher me inside a dark alcove and hem me against the wall. When he circled his arms around my waist and pulled me close, I let him. No matter what Loren said or did, when his hands were in play, he had me.

Because his touch felt like finding home, and I was too easily won.

“Haven’t you learned that when a boy likes a girl, he treats her like utter shit? It’s textbook.”

“I’ve heard that, but I didn’t buy it when I was six, and I don’t buy it now.”

Leaning forward, he skimmed his lips down my neck. “So, what do you suggest I do?”

“About?”

“You. Me.” He’d punctuated each word with a soft kiss on my bare shoulder. “I need to fuck you senseless, Braxton Fawn.”

“Too bad.” Mentally, since he was still holding me, I patted my back in approval. My knees were weak, but my head was still strong.

“Afraid you’ll like it?”

“Yes.” Surprised, Loren lifted his head from the shoulder he was still kissing. “I’m afraid I’ll like it too much, and I won’t be able to stop.”

He was still grasping for something to say when two men in expensive suits appeared, spotting us as they passed. At once, their steps slowed, their gazes taking the extra time to admire me thoroughly. Loren, not missing a thing, stood up straight. That was all it took for the men to quicken their steps and hurry away.

“Please don’t get into a fight,” I pleaded with him. The men were gone, but Loren didn’t seem the least bit appeased. I could see the contemplation in his eyes to go after them. “Xavier will be pissed if you get arrested.”

“Xavier’s always pissed,” he responded dismissively.

Lacing our fingers together, he pulled me from the alcove, and we walked until we reached a large sitting room with dim lighting, a table in the center with a green felt tabletop, and a bar off to the side.

An older woman sat behind a small desk. She had red hair like mine, hers darker and shorter and reminding me of my mother. She peered over her glasses when we walked inside and smiled. The minute she stood to approach, I noticed that she was tall and busty.

“I’d say I’m surprised to see you, but that would be a lie,” she greeted Loren. She didn’t wait for Loren’s reply before her gaze drifted to me and brightened. “Although I am surprised at your choice of guest this evening. She looks too good for you.” She held out her hand for me to shake, and I accepted. “Lorraine.”

“Braxton.”

“Braxton, would you like a drink?”

“I’m fine, but thank you.”

She obviously knew Loren didn’t drink since she didn’t bother offering him one. He led me over to the table with five other men already seated, and one standing behind the cards and chips before taking the only seat left and… pulling me into his lap. I tensed up even though no one paid us any mind. It wasn’t them that made me nervous anyway.

I was sitting in Loren James’s lap.

“Are you sure this okay? I can—”

“For a quarter-million buy-in, it damn well better be,” he grumbled like the spoiled brat he was. I was still reeling over the dollar amount when he wrapped his arm around my waist and nodded at a bearded gentleman wearing a fedora across from us. Based on the look the guy gave Loren in return, they knew each other, but it didn’t go further from there.

Once Loren was settled, the cards were dealt, and the game began. I didn’t understand any of it, and Loren didn’t bother to explain. He promptly withdrew into himself as he concentrated on his hand and the cards on the table.

I was so on edge by the time the first game ended that I didn’t object when he placed his hand on my bare thigh and swept this thumb back and forth. He’d won the entire pot.

“Relax,” he whispered.

“This is a lot of money,” I whispered back. I didn’t want to embarrass him by acting like an amateur, but I couldn’t seem to keep anything in around him. “Are you sure you should bet so much? What if you lose?”

“After living both sides of the tracks, baby fawn, I’ve learned that I’m no happier with money than I am without.”

I sighed as my shoulders deflated. “Was there a time when you ever gave a fuck?” I sounded utterly drained.

“Once.” I turned just enough to catch the faraway look in his eyes. “It was a waste of time, so I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Still deep in thought, his hand drifted up, and then his fingers slipped just underneath my dress before resting there. I didn’t exhale until it was clear he wouldn’t try to finger-bang me underneath the table.

“How are you going to play if you’re groping me?”

“Easy,” he whispered back. “You’re going to play this hand for me.” As if it weren’t insane, he laid the two cards he’d just been dealt facedown on the table.

No way I was touching those cards.

“I’ll lose.” It was taking all my self-control, which was slipping out the window with him gripping my thigh like he owned me, not to yell. I didn’t want to unintentionally alert the others before I could talk him out of his asinine plan.

“So lose.” Holding me with his black gaze, his hand resumed its ascent, my leg twitching when his fingers brushed the edge of my thong. “It’s worth every penny.”

“Are you implying that I’m for sale?”

He snorted. “I know you’re not.”

“Are we playing poker, or are we watching James sniff after this girl’s panties?” snapped the guy Loren had acknowledged earlier. As soon as he was done speaking, he lifted his fedora with an apologetic tilt of his lips and revealed a bald head underneath. Shame didn’t come as easily to me these days, but I still caught the faint scent of Father Moore’s holy oil.

I started to push Loren’s hand away until I realized I wasn’t that girl anymore, and I’d miss his touch too much.

“You lose any more money, Vince, and I’ll have to take your house as collateral. I’m just giving you time to come to your senses since we both know your wife isn’t with you for your charm.” The men around the table laughed at Vince’s expense, who didn’t seem to find it as funny as they did. Without warning, Loren lifted me on my feet before standing. “Give me two minutes.”

No one said anything, and he didn’t wait for permission.

“Loren, I’m serious,” I said the moment we were alone in the hall. “I can’t do this. I can’t lose your money.”

“It’s okay. I have more.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then, how about this? I play this hand.” I was already eagerly nodding before he finished. Smiling like he was indulging me, he rested his forearm on the wall next to my head. “But if I win, I make you come. That’s the deal.”

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach, but my vagina had a different reaction. If we had still been sitting with his hand on my thigh, I wouldn’t have been able to hide my reaction.

“What?”

“You said no one hurt you.” It was then I realized he was still obsessing over my confession. “There’s only one other thing that makes sense.”

“Do tell.” I rolled my eyes, but he never lost his serious expression.

“No one ever made it good for you. You can’t miss something you never enjoyed.”

He patiently waited for me to admit that he was right. And he was…just not about me. Needing something to do with my hands, I placed them on his chest and toyed with the sterling silver clip on his tie. It’s where I kept my gaze when I whispered as low as I could, “I do enjoy sex, Loren. I like it very much.”

I felt his muscles tense underneath my hand, and when I looked up, I found his brows dipped and his beautiful face twisted in confusion. “Then why—”

The air I’d inhaled shuddered out of me, making him abandon the question he’d been ready to ask. “I told you…if I start, I can’t stop, and…”

“And?” he prodded at the same time pressing his hips against mine when I fell silent. He seemed so desperate to get inside my head. Even though he’d done nothing to earn my trust, I still felt the need to let him.

“And no one’s ever been able to keep up with me.”

Loren’s pupils seemed to dilate as his dick grew harder and larger against me. I could feel his heart racing almost as fast as mine. “Oh, baby fawn, it’s your lucky day.” Before I could respond, his large hand gripped my ass tight enough to bruise. “Because when I start, I won’t stop until long after you’ve had enough.”

My reaction was visceral.

His promise melted into my skin, burrowing through bones and seizing my heart, gut, and lungs until it set me on fire. I wanted it that much.

Unfortunately, I was wiser now.

“I’m sure you really believe that, Loren, but I played this hand before and lost everything,” I said, speaking the language a gambling addict would understand. “You already hate me when I haven’t given you a reason. If we sleep together, you’ll finally have one.”

He stared down at me a long while, turning over my words before tossing them away. “Try me.”

A frustrated sound slipped from my lips. “I can’t, Loren. Did you forget we work together? It’s too messy.”

“Sex usually is. With me, it most definitely will be.” I didn’t respond. When it became clear I wouldn’t fall for his bait, he sighed and straightened before taking a step back. “Wait here.”

I stayed put as he told me, which was easy since I couldn’t trust my legs right now. I needed to find a bathroom to clean up. Removing my thong wasn’t possible, thanks to my decision to wear this dress. It didn’t matter because Loren returned moments later.

“Let’s go.”

He barely looked at me before starting down the hall and effectively ending what I still maintained was not a date. I also realized this was the second time in a single day that I turned him down. I refused to feel guilt when I knew I was doing the right thing.

The disappointment? That, I allowed myself to feel.