Damaged and the Outlaw Excerpt

Vaughn and Raven First Meet

     Hotter than sin, Vaughn was a shining example of the wrong guy. He intimidated men when he wasn’t dampening the panties of every chick in the room. He walked to the bar like he was ready to hit someone then fuck a random chick to celebrate his win.

I’d been impressed since seeing him in passing when he came by the house to talk to the Johanssons. Having avoided him since then, I planned to do so again. Sexy and up to no good was exactly the kind of man I needed to abstain from. Of course, he walked directly to where I sat and took the stool to my right.

“Lark’s sister.”

“Cooper’s peon.”

A grinning Vaughn tapped the bar to get the bartender’s attention. Once he had a beer, his gaze returned to me.

“Saw you fight. Little bitch bit you, huh?”

After showing him my hand, I forced my gaze to my drink and away from his bright blue eyes.

“The biters are the worst,” I muttered. “So you like watching chicks wrestle. Typical.”

“Bailey wanted to come,” he said, adjusting on the stool so he was sitting even closer. “She misses punching people.”

“I don’t blame her.”

As Vaughn studied my face, I acted like I didn’t care. It wasn’t easy though with his maleness so damn intoxicating. Yet, I was abstaining specifically from guys like him.

“I bet you’re a real heartbreaker,” he said, giving me a nearly irresistible smile.

“I’ve never broken a single heart,” I admitted. “I’ve broken more than a few noses and stomped on several ball sacks though.”

Vaughn’s grin widened. “Let me buy you a drink.”

“I have a drink.”

“Fine. Let me take you to a booth and sweet talk your sexy ass into my bed tonight.”

“I’m abstaining from fucking guys like you.”

“Guys like me? You mean, sexy bastards that’ll make you scream their names?”

“Yeah, basically.”

As he slid a bit closer, I caught a whiff of his cologne. Smelling like chocolate, the scent was bait to any self-respecting woman. Like a moth to the flame, I had the worst urge to give him a lick and get a taste.

“Why don’t we just talk then?” he said soft and seductive. “We share friends. Let’s get acquainted, so it won’t be awkward at the crew get-togethers.”

“Crew?”

“It’s what Tucker calls the group. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but most of the crew is hooked up with someone. If we’re going to play solo, we might as well become friends.”

“I don’t have guy friends. Just don’t believe in it. The only thing men have to offer is what I’m abstaining from.”

A smirking Vaughn took my drink and gestured towards the nearby empty booth. “You and I are in the same boat with the crew. So I guess you’re going to have guy friends whether you like it or not.”

Despite my brain screaming for me to run from the bar and never look back, I followed Vaughn to the booth. He leaned back and stretched out his long legs.

“This is nice. Two friends being friendly,” he said.

Rolling my eyes, I sipped my drink and ignored his cocky smile.

“How long has it been?” he asked, tapping my sandal with his boot. “The abstaining thing.”

Crossing my arms under my tits, I tightened them and pushed up the girls for him to admire. I always loved teasing boys.

“I bet you’ve banged a girl recently. Like I could probably smell her on you, if I got close enough,” I grumbled, remembering how he smelled like chocolate and I had a sweet tooth. “You’re likely crawling with germs.”

Instead of finding offense, Vaughn watched me in a weird way. His lids lowered as the corners of his mouth lifted. A sly look on his face, Vaughn ran his tongue along his top teeth.

“I have a system,” he said softly. “After I hook up with a random chick, I shower with a big bottle of Purell. One of those economy-sized ones.”

Even smiling, I kicked his foot away from mine. “I’m a bath person myself. Just fill up the tub with really hot water then toss in a cap of bleach plus a few bubbles and I’m set.”

“Gotta have bubbles,” he said in a deep low voice.

“What are you doing?”

Vaughn shook his head, yet his gaze held mine. “Just admiring your beautiful smile.”

Rolling my eyes again, I sighed. “Lame.”

“I know. I really do. I use that line a lot, but it’s true with you. That smile changes your face. Makes you less sex kitten and more angel.”

“I’m no angel.”

“What a relief. I don’t like good girls.”

“I didn’t say I was bad.”

Vaughn sucked at his lower lip and sized me up with those eyes. “You didn’t have to, kitten.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Sugar?” he said, grinning brighter now. “Your sister didn’t like my nickname for her either.”

“Why would you give my sister a nickname?”

“Don’t be jealous. I like giving girls nicknames. Even girls I don’t want to spend time inside.”

“I can’t believe these lines ever work.”

“They don’t. Girls are drawn to my looks, not my personality.”

Snorting, I begged myself to stop smiling. “And you’re proud of this fact?”

“I’m proud of very little, pumpkin.”

“Keep trying.”

When Vaughn spotted someone and his smile faded, I followed his gaze to Beavis and Butthead.

“You’re insecure,” I said, kicking his foot lightly. “I find that sexy in a guy. Too bad I’m abstaining.”

Vaughn finally returned his gaze to me where it mellowed. “Why abstain exactly?”

“I told you.”

“Seems like you could just abstain from relationships if these past guys were losers. Why abstain from fucking? You frigid?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“I sense that about you,” he said, giving me a sly grin. “Betcha couldn’t handle a guy like me.”

“Reverse psychology. Really? I expected more from you.”

“I do what I need to.”

“Fuck some other girl. There are a few hot ones in the corner.”

“Saw them then I saw you. Now, I can’t look away.”

“Barf.”

Vaughn laughed a genuine laugh. No games or come-ons. I’d actually made the fucker giggle like a bitch.

“You’re really abstaining? Even from a chance to enjoy all this?” he asked, waving his hands around to show off his strong chest and hard stomach. “I’m the real deal. Not wearing a girdle to hold in the gut or anything.”

Vaughn lifted his tee to show off his stomach and I nodded my approval.

“Nice, but I’m abstaining.”

“Why from the fucking? Do you think you can’t screw a guy without falling in love? Are you that weak?”

“Stop playing your Jedi mind games on me.”

“Jedi?” he asked, giving me a frown. “Wait, are you a nerd?”

“No, but I assumed you were. There’s an arrested development vibe about you. Like you play a lot of video games and get horny for Lt. Uhura.”

“Oh, hell, you are a Star Trek nerd.”

“No,” I said, taking a gulp of beer. “I had a stepdad who was into that crap. He had all these nerd friends who came over and they’d talk about the show as if it was super cool. The only time I found Star Trek even remotely interesting was when they had the episode on Futurama about it.”

“Sure, nerd.”

“I like that nickname. Stick with it.”

“I’m not sure you really fit the nerd stereotype.”

“And you don’t fit the manwhore stereotype. For one thing, your pick up lines are fucking awful.”

Vaughn laughed again and he seemed different now. Less like an animal on the prowl and more like a guy chatting up another member of the crew. I didn’t buy it though. The guy wanted in my panties. I wanted him in them too. Sitting there drinking our beers, I wondered how he would make it happen when I was sticking with my abstaining promise.

The stress of wanting what I couldn’t have made me crave something else I couldn’t enjoy. Reaching into my bag, I found my nicotine gum and popped a piece into my mouth.

“Not going to offer?” he asked, tapping my foot in his weird attempt at foreplay.

“It’s Nicorette.”

“I gave up smoking years ago.”

Rolling my eyes, I kicked his foot away. “How long could you have smoked if you gave it up years ago?”

“I was a pack a day smoker for four months. Best quarter of a year of my life.”

“Idiot,” I said, grinning at him.

“Giving up smoking and fucking at the same time. Do you have a reason to punish yourself like that?”

“I’m a horrible person.”

“I can see that. Look at how you’re breaking my heart over here.”

Bursting into laughter, I begged, “Please, fucking stop. Your shitty lines are making me want to smoke more.”

“Because they make you so horny?” he asked, already laughing before he finished. “I know they’re making me pretty hard.”

“What’s your game plan here, stud? Harass me until I fuck you? I think I’d rather just nail you in the balls and make a run for it.”

“Sex is relaxing, you know?” he said, grinning in his devious manwhore way.

“I know.”

“Why not just fuck someone and stay away from all that crappy relationship stuff? It’s what I do.”

“How do I know I won’t blow your mind and you’ll become a clingy bitch?”

“I think I’ll be fine.”

“Can’t trust it.”

“Look, you and I are in the same boat. Loners in the crew. Unlike Bailey, we don’t want to hook-up for good. We just want to let off some steam. We could be friends with benefits.”

“Fuck buddies, huh?”

“I like your term better,” Vaughn said, giving a flash of anger at the men still eyeing us. “I might need to leave you just long enough to kick their asses.”

“I think I can manage without you.”

Vaughn looked back at me and grinned. “Was that a masturbation hint?”

“No, but you bring up a very good point. I could blow off steam on my own.”

Vaughn finished his beer then smiled. “I’ll give you oral and no vibrator in the world can say the same.”

Holding his gaze, I said nothing until finishing my beer. Finally, I gave Vaughn a smile and nodded.

“One night of empty awesome sex. Tomorrow, we act like acquaintances, not even friends. I want to be someone you barely remember exists.”

“No problem, nerd. Do you like Harleys because mine likes snuggling between a hot girl’s thighs?”

“Stop while you’re ahead.”

Standing up, Vaughn held out a hand. I ignored his gesture and stood up on my own. When I noticed the two guys still watching us, I flipped them off before taking Vaughn’s arm.

“Like they ever had a chance,” I muttered and Vaughn’s smile grew.

“Takes a special man to talk a girl out of abstinence.”

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

As we arrived at his black Harley, I mentally admitted it looked pretty fucking sexy. He’d make it sexier when he wrapped his strong legs over…

As if sensing my brain was already in horny overdrive, Vaughn leaned down and kissed me. Just a gentle peck lacking any heat. I frowned at him as he climbed on the motorcycle.

“That’s it?” I asked, not climbing on.

As the Harley roared to life, Vaughn laced his fingers through my hair and tugged me closer for another kiss. This one was deeper as his tongue explored mine. With Vaughn tasting like beer and smelling like chocolate, I nearly orgasmed right there. Instead, I climbed on and imagined him naked under me.

Damaged and the Outlaw Release Date: 11.26.13