Only His. Susan Mallery

only gone to the party because it was a chance to spend time with Tucker again. Even if Cat was the one to ask her. She’d known the evening would be miserable, but she couldn’t help herself.

      Standing in a sea of people she didn’t know, she realized she should have stayed back at the dorm. Despite all the celebrities circling around, she only had eyes for Tucker and he could only see Cat.

      Tucker followed her around like a puppy, his tongue practically hanging out. Even with Nevada’s inexperience, she knew he was putting it all on the line. While Cat seemed to like him, her gaze lacked the desperate need Tucker had in his.

      “Do I know you?”

      Nevada looked at the tall, movie-star-handsome guy walking toward her, only to realize he was a movie star. His summer blockbuster had made millions and he’d been on the cover of People magazine.

      “I don’t think so,” she said, wishing she could get half as fluttery at the sight of him as she did when she saw Tucker.

      “You could,” he said. “Get to know me.”

      He was obviously drunk and maybe a little high, if his dilated pupils were anything to go by.

      “No, thanks.”

      “I can change your mind.”

      He’d grabbed her arm then, tugging her toward the back of the house. She pulled away and was about to use the tricks her brothers had taught her when Tucker appeared at her side.

      “Not so fast,” he’d said easily, removing the other man’s hand from her arm. “This one’s with me.”

      “Oh, sorry, man. I didn’t know.”

      The other guy took off. Tucker pulled Nevada against him.

      “I can see you’re not to be trusted on your own,” he told her. “You’ll get eaten alive in a crowd like this. Stick close, kid. I’ll get you out of here in one piece.”

      Then he’d kissed her. A light, friendly kiss that had probably meant nothing to him but had rocked her world. She’d wanted to pull him close so she could kiss him again.

      Then Cat had strolled up and it was as if Nevada didn’t exist. Tucker had physically stayed in place, but she’d seen the change come over him. In his world, there was only Cat and not Cat. There was no middle ground. No chance for anyone else to matter.

      “Nevada?”

      She jerked herself back to the present and found that she was pressing against Tucker. His expression was curious.

      “You okay?”

      “Fine,” she said as she quickly turned and climbed into the truck.

      He went around and got in on the other side. “Ready to go back?”

      She knew he meant to the job site, so she nodded. But what she was thinking was, no, she wasn’t going back. She was never going to be in that position again. Wanting someone she could never have had been one of the worst experiences in her life.