Read Stage Dive 02 Play for Free Online

were in our own little bubble and nothing or no one else existed. It was strangely peaceful.
    “There we go,” he said, not taking his eyes off me. “She doesn’t do it for you or Davie though. Only I get the crazy eyes. Because I’m special.”
    Ben said something. I didn’t hear what. Then Mal looked away and the moment was gone. The spell was broken. “It’s sweet, really. She can’t live without me.”
    “Obviously.” Ben laughed.
    My jaw clenched. Fuck Mal Ericson and his games very much.
    “I haven’t met your lead singer, Jimmy, yet,” I said, finally finding my fight. It was either words or fists. Given the way he just exposed me to ridicule, I was good with either. “Maybe he’s the real favorite and you’re just the runner-up. Did you think of that?”
    His mouth fell open. “You did not just say that to me.”
    I didn’t answer. Let’s see how he enjoyed being teased.
    “Anne, are you trying to make me jealous? You wouldn’t like me when I’m jealous!” The drunken lunatic roared and started pounding on his chest like King Kong or the Hulk or whatever the hell he was trying to be. “Take it back.”
    “No.”
    “Don’t toy with me, Anne. Take it back or I’ll make you.”
    I screwed up my face, incredulous. And he said
I
was crazy. Or crazy eyed. Whatever.
    The madman shrugged. “Okay, pumpkin. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    Without further ado, he launched himself at me. I screeched in alarm. The noise was awesome. My beer bottle went flying across the floor.
    It could be said I’m somewhat ticklish. Sure as shit, I hated being tickled. His fingers were dancing and digging in turn, hitting all my sensitive spots, damn it. It was like someone had given him a map to my body. I was panting and squirming, trying to get away from him.
    “Boundaries, you bastard,” I hissed.
    His answering laugh was no less than wicked.
    Then I started to slip off the couch.
    To be fair, he did try to break my fall and he used himself to do so. Hands grabbed hold of me, turning as opposed to torturing. We fell in a tangle of limbs, me landing flat on top of him. Mal grunted as the back of his head bounced off the hardwood floor.
    Ouch; that had to hurt.
    Despite the knock, his arms remained tight, holding me to him. The man felt good, better than I’d ever imagined. And you had to know I’d done some serious imagining, even out there on the balcony. The playful light disappeared from his eyes and every inch of him tensed. He stared up at me, unblinking, his mouth slightly open. I got the distinct feeling he was waiting to see what I’d do next. If I’d take things further. Mostly, I concentrated on breathing. Then he looked at my lips.
    Breathing was out.
    He couldn’t want me to kiss him. Surely this was just another game. Except it wasn’t, not entirely. I could feel him hardening against my thigh. Things low inside of me tightened in response. I hadn’t been this wound up in ages.
    Fuck it, I was going for it. I had to know how his lips felt. In that moment, not kissing him was out of the question.
    “Malcolm, no!” Ev stared down at us sprawled on the floor, her face a picture of dismay. “Let her go. Not my friends. You promised.”
    All trace of sexual tension melted away as embarrassment filled me to overflowing. Everyone was laughing. Well, everyone except for David and Ev. Sadly, they’d chosen that moment to rejoin the party.
    “Your friend and I are meant to be together. Suck it up.” He gave me a squeeze. “You know, I thought you at least would recognize true love when you saw it. I’m very disappointed in you right now, Evelyn.”
    “Let her go.”
    “Davie, control your wife, she’s making a scene.” Distracted, Mal’s hold on me loosened and I managed to scurry off of him. Lucky for him, my knee didn’t land in his groin.
    “You’re the one rolling around on the floor, dude,” said David.
    “Not. My. Friends.” Ev repeated through gritted teeth.
    “Your