Tyler's POV
Amara swayed on her feet, her eyes glazed over as she stared up at with a lazy smile. I could sll the alcohol on her breath, mixed with the floral scent of her perfu.
Then, before I could process what was happening, she leaned in and pressed her lips against mine.
I froze.
What. The. Hell.
For a split second, I didn't move—too caught off guard to react. But the mont her hands gripped my shirt, I snapped out of my daze and imdiately pulled away. I didn't shove her hard, just enough to put so distance between us.
"Amara, what are you doing?" My voice ca out sharper than I intended, but she didn't seem to notice.
She blinked up at , pouting. "What do you an?"
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "You're drunk, Amara. That—that wasn't appropriate."
She tilted her head like she was trying to solve a puzzle. "Why?"
"Because you're not thinking straight," I said firmly. "And I'm not the kind of guy who takes advantage of soone who isn't in their right mind."
She stared at , then suddenly asked, "Wait... does my mouth sll bad?"
I blinked. "What?"
She leaned closer, her drunken expression serious. "Is that why you didn't kiss back?"
I sighed. "Amara, we're talking about the fact that you kissed without my consent, and you're worried about your breath?"
"Well, yeah." She shrugged. "If it was any other guy, they would've kissed back imdiately. So, either I'm not attractive to you, or my breath stinks." She dramatically bowed her head, looking like a scolded child.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to control my patience. "It's neither of those things, Amara. I just told you—I don't take advantage of people when they're drunk. You're not in your right mind, and I don't want you waking up tomorrow regretting sothing you didn't an to do."
She humd like she was considering my words, then shrugged. "Fair point."
I shook my head and grabbed her wrist. "Co on, I'm taking you ho."
"Nooooo," she groaned, dragging her feet. "I don't wanna go ho. I wanna enjoy the party!"
"You can do that when you're sober," I said flatly, pulling her toward the exit.
"Pleaseeee, Tyler. Just one more shot?" She gave the most exaggerated puppy-dog eyes I'd ever seen.
"Amara," I warned. "Do not even think about it. Taking another shot at this stage will do more harm than good. You're already unaware of your surroundings."
"I know my surroundings!" she protested. "I'm at a party!"
I arched a brow. "That's the most obvious thing you could say. The music and flashing lights make that pretty clear."
She huffed like a child.
"Now, let's go. And I'm not taking no for an answer."
Before she could protest again, I scooped her up in a bridal carry. She let out a surprised squeal, then giggled as she looped her arms around my neck. "Ooooh, strong," she murmured, poking my bicep.
I ignored her and carried her out of the party, weaving through the crowd. People stared, but I didn't care. I just needed to get her ho before she did sothing even more reckless.
When we reached my car, I opened the backseat door and carefully placed her inside. She pouted again but didn't resist as I buckled her seatbelt.
"Stay here," I said firmly. "Do not move."
Amara gave a lazy salute. "Aye aye, Captain Taylor."
I sighed. She couldn't even say my na right.
I turned to leave but paused. "I'm serious, Amara. Don't move."
"I won't," she huffed, crossing her arms.
Satisfied—though still wary—I shut the door and jogged back inside. My phone. I must've left it at the bar when I was helping Amara.
I reached the bar and scanned the counter, but my phone wasn't there.
"Shit," I muttered.
I ran a hand through my hair, glancing around in frustration. I knew I left it here. Did soone take it? I couldn't even ask the bartender—there was no way he'd know who the phone belonged to.
I was about to give up and head back to the car when sothing caught my eye.
Amara.
Dancing.
Outside the car.
I stared, completely dumbfounded.
I told her not to move!
Yet there she was, spinning around like a little maniac, laughing as if she didn't have a single care in the world.
"Oh, Amara," I muttered under my breath. "You're gonna get in trouble."
Not only did she make lose my phone, but now she was out here attracting attention.
I stalked toward her, irritation bubbling in my chest. "Amara!"
She turned at the sound of my voice, grinning. "Tyler!"
"I thought I told you not to leave the car."
She huffed. "I got bored. And I was looking for you."
"It doesn't look like you were looking for ," I said, eyeing the way she was twirling around.
"et my friend!" she suddenly chirped, pointing at a guy standing way too close to her.
I barely spared him a glance before grabbing Amara's hand. "Alright, ti to go."
I started pulling her away, but sothing stopped .
Or rather, soone.
The guy grabbed Amara's other wrist.
"She can speak for herself," he said, his voice laced with arrogance. "If she doesn't want to leave, she can stay."
I turned to him, my patience snapping. "Are you blind, or is your ugliness affecting your eyesight? Can't you see she's drunk?"
He smirked. "So? Who cares if she's drunk?"
My blood boiled. "You should be locked up for saying that," I growled. "But lucky for you, I don't have ti to deal with scumbags like you. Now, let her go."
"And if I don't?" he taunted.
I didn't let him finish. My fist connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling back.
"I said let her go," I snapped, eyes burning with rage.
Gasps erupted from the crowd gathering around us. The guy touched his bleeding lip, then lunged at . I was faster.
I ducked his punch and delivered another blow—this ti to his ribs. He grunted in pain, staggering backward.
I grabbed his shirt, yanking him closer so our faces were inches apart. "Don't ever try to take advantage of soone who can't fight back," I snarled.
I shoved him away, and he crumpled to the ground, groaning.
People whispered, but I ignored them, turning to Amara.
She was giggling.
"That was aweso!" she squealed.
I rolled my eyes and grabbed her wrist, dragging her back to the car. "You're a handful, you know that?"
She just laughed, completely unbothered.
I buckled her in again, making damn sure the doors were locked this ti before heading to the driver's seat.
Just as I was about to open the door, a voice called out—
"You must be looking for this."
I turned.
Logan.
Holding my phone.
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