It almost worked

Chapter 4- how about F.U.C.K?

୨⎯ Chapter 4- how about F.U.C.K? ⎯୧

The air in the liquor store was stale, filled with a faint whiff of dust and cigarette smoke. Dallas and I stepped inside, our footsteps echoing on the linoleum floor as we glanced around at the shelves.

This place seemed like it couldn't decide what it was—one half packed with beer and liquor, the other with mismatched odds and ends: batteries, canned food, even a little rack of random clothes shoved into the corner.

And, of course, the highlight—the H.A.M. machine. It flickered in the corner near the register, looking as battered as ever, like it was just barely holding itself together. But there was something charming about it. I'd taken a liking to it, even with its broken screen and crackling sounds.

"Hey, Dal!" I nudged him and nodded toward the machine, grinning. "The H.A.M. machine's still here!"

He looked at me like I'd just spoken another language. "The hell's a H.A.M. machine?"

"Oh, it's this game." I laughed, trying to explain. "I call it H.A.M. because it stands for 'Horrible Ass Machine.' It's completely busted but weirdly fun."

He shook his head, muttering something about me under his breath as he wandered off down one of the aisles.

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I dug through my pocket, finally finding a couple of quarters to feed into the machine. The screen flickered to life, colors blinking as I pressed the buttons, half of which didn't even work right. Still, there was something oddly soothing about the routine of it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dallas making his way back up to the counter, balancing a six-pack of beer in one hand, a couple packs of cigarettes, and—randomly—a plain white T-shirt that he'd grabbed from the clothing rack. And a couple of other ones, He set it all down on the counter, casting a look my way as the old cashier rang him up.

"Ready to go yet?" he asked, a smirk playing at his lips as he turned to watch me.

"Can I play H.A.M. one more time before we leave?" I asked, trying not to sound too sheepish.

Dallas raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he leaned against the counter. A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face as he strolled over.

"How about we play F.U.C.K., huh?" he murmured, stepping close enough that I could feel his breath on my neck, his hand sliding onto my waist.

My heart skipped a beat, heat rising to my cheeks. I froze up, trying to process what he'd just said. My hands stilled on the buttons, and I barely managed to stammer, "L-Let's just go."

He chuckled, his grip on my waist firm, like he had no intention of letting go anytime soon. He leaned in a little closer as we made our way out of the store, his hand never leaving me, like he knew exactly how to keep me off-balance.

"Jeez, Y/N," he said, voice low and teasing. "Didn't know you'd get so rattled by a little teasing. You sure you can handle it?"

I shot him a glare, though my voice wavered. "You're unbelievable."

"Unbelievable, huh?" He smirked, giving my waist a small squeeze. "Think you're the one that's unbelievable, blushing like that over a little comment. Didn't know you'd be so easy to mess with."

I scowled, trying to ignore the warmth flooding my cheeks. "I'm not blushing."

"Sure, kid. I'm just too handsome for you," he shot back, his tone dripping with amusement. His fingers brushed lightly against my side, sending a chill through me despite the warmth in my face.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Dal," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady, but even I could hear the edge of nerves in it.

He grinned, leaning in close so his face was just inches from mine. "Oh, I sleep just fine. But I bet you'd lose your mind if I got any closer."

I clenched my jaw, refusing to look away. "Try me."

Dallas just laughed, his voice low and a little too smooth. "Careful what you wish for." He leaned in even closer, his gaze locked on mine, and for a split second, I couldn't tell if he was serious or just trying to get a rise out of me. Either way, it was working.

We walked in silence for a while, but he didn't let up. I could feel his eyes on me, and every few seconds, he'd throw out another little tease, his voice a low drawl that set my nerves on edge.

"You know, you're acting all tough, but you're not hiding much," he said after a while, his smirk almost lazy. "Guess you don't get many guys saying that kind of stuff to you, huh?"

I scoffed, though it sounded weaker than I'd intended. "What makes you think that?"

Dallas shrugged, unbothered. "It's written all over your face, kid. You're about as subtle as a neon sign." He leaned in a little closer, his hand still firmly on my waist. "Bet if I leaned in right now, you'd turn even redder."

I rolled my eyes, though I could feel the blush creeping up again. "Keep dreaming, Dal."

"Oh, I don't need to dream. Pretty sure I got you right where I want you." He glanced down at me, his smirk widening. "And you're not exactly pulling away, either."

I swallowed, my heart racing as his hand slid a little higher, resting on my lower back. I could feel my pulse thrumming as I struggled to keep my cool, even though every little thing he did seemed perfectly calculated to break my composure.

"What?" he asked, sounding entirely too innocent. "Does that make you nervous?"

"No," I said, even though my voice came out barely above a whisper.

"Oh yeah? 'Cause I could swear you're shaking a little." His grin was almost cocky as he leaned down, his breath brushing against my cheek as he whispered, "Guess that makes me right, doesn't it?"

I clenched my jaw, determined not to give him the satisfaction. "I'm just cold."

He chuckled, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that." He gave my waist another squeeze, his fingers brushing against my side in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.

I couldn't help it—I laughed, despite myself. "You're impossible, Dal."

"Yeah? Guess you're just gonna have to get used to it," he replied, his tone light but with that edge that made it impossible to tell if he was joking or not.

We walked a little further, his arm still around me, his grip firm like he wasn't about to let me go anytime soon. Even as he continued his relentless teasing, I couldn't help but feel a strange warmth settle in my chest—a thrill that I hated to admit, but it was there all the same.

Dallas just grinned, clearly pleased with himself as he pulled me a little closer. "See? You're not shaking anymore," he murmured, his voice softer now, though it still held that playful tone. "Guess you just needed someone to keep you steady."

I shot him a look, trying to keep my expression neutral, but I could feel the smile creeping onto my face. Maybe he was impossible. But for now, I didn't mind so much.

Damn horny ass.