The toga party was in full swing, the air thick with the scent of cheap booze and sweat. Sean leaned against the wall, his muscular frame draped in a white sheet that did little to conceal his broad shoulders and chiseled chest. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Elizabeth, who stood by the punch bowl, her own toga clinging to her curves in a way that made every guy in the room wish they'd paid more attention to her in high school.
Sean certainly did. He had gone to Blue Ridge High School with her, but had never given her or her valedictorian boyfriend much of any attention. He was too busy back then playing baseball and chasing cheerleaders. Sure they had classes together. He thought he even was on student council with that dweeb, Curtis, but he couldn't say he gave either of them much thought. But now, here Elizabeth was. Two years had changed the wallflower into a stunning off limits woman. A woman who just so happened to come to his fraternity's exclusive toga party.
"Hey, Elizabeth," Sean called, his voice cutting through the noise. "Looking good tonight."
Elizabeth turned, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thanks, Sean. You too." She glanced down at his exposed chest, her gaze lingering a moment too long.
"Yeah, well, it's not like I had much choice in the outfit," he said with a smirk. "But I'm glad you approve."
She laughed nervously, twisting the edge of her toga, as he asked, "So, where's Curtis? I thought he'd be with you."
Sean's smirk faded, replaced by a look of mock sympathy as she answered his question. "Oh, you know Curtis. Too busy studying for his midterms to come to a party. Probably FaceTiming me right now." She glanced at her phone, an excuse to get away from Sean. She couldn't figure out why he was suddenly talking to her. Elizabeth had known Sean for years. She couldn't think of a time outside of casual greetings when he'd ever spoken to her. It was like sirens were going off in her head, that there was more to this.
"Loser," Sean said sarcastically, "he's definitely going to be something one day with all that studying."
Elizabeth's laugh was less nervous this time, almost bitter. "Yeah, probably. He's... dedicated."
"Dedicated to what? Keeping you on a leash?" Sean's tone was casual, but there was an edge to it. "You're too hot to be stuck with a guy who's more interested in his textbooks than you."
She shifted her weight, her eyes darting around the room. His comments seemingly coming out of the blue. "He's not like that. He just... cares about me," she said defending her boyfriend. She pulled her hand up to her face. She felt flushed and foggy. Maybe that last drink had been one too many.
Sean snorted. "Cares about you, or cares about keeping you all to himself? There's a difference, Elizabeth. And you know it." Elizabeth wouldn't have even thought Sean knew about her relationship with Curtis, but here he was verbalizing things she had been secretly thinking for years.
Before she could respond, a group of guys stumbled past, their togas barely staying in place. One of them, a lanky freshman named Jake, tripped and fell, his sheet falling completely off. Elizabeth gasped, her eyes widening as she caught a glimpse of his naked body. His firm white ass shining like polished silver.
"Whoa, sorry!" Jake scrambled to cover himself, his face bright red as he caught Elizabeth staring.
Sean laughed, clapping the guy on the back. "No worries, man. It's a toga party. Nudity's practically part of the dress code." He turned back to Elizabeth, his eyes gleaming. "See? Even the freshmen are getting in on the action. You're missing out, Elizabeth.You need to have some fun."
She crossed her arms, her breasts pressing against the thin fabric of her toga. "I'm not missing out. I'm just... not like that."
"Not like what?" Sean stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Not like the girl who's too scared to have a little fun? Or not like the girl who's been with the same guy since freshman year of high school? Or not like the girl whose a junior and I has never been seen at one of our parties. Not like that?"
Elizabeth's jaw tightened and she thought about turning to go. "I think coming was a mistake."
"Mistake," Sean said, "Why because Curtis might get mad if he finds out your here."
"Curtis is a good guy. He's won't care that I came when I tell him. He isn't like that. He wants me to be happy. He would never pressure me." She didn't know why she lied. Curtis would be furious that she was here. He did pressure her to be like him. Living out the life plan.
"Exactly," Sean said, his voice sharp. "He's never pressured you. But has he ever shown you what you're missing? Has he ever made you feel like the hottest girl in the room?"
She didn't answer, her eyes flicking away from his intense gaze. Sean was quiet for a minute and she scanned the large living room and dining room area. The music drummed on and the guys and girls were dancing. Many were already making out. She wondered briefly where her friend was. Maybe she needed to get out of here. In her fog, she tried to piece together Sean's last comment. What was he implying? That she was hot?
Just as the thought entered her mind, Sean leaned in closer as if he could read her thoughts. His breath was warm against her ear. "Let me tell you something, Elizabeth. I've been watching you all night. And I can see it in your eyes. You're curious. You want to know what it's like to let go, to experience life, to be with someone who's not afraid to take what they want."
His hand rose as he said this and slid up the side of her bare arm. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath coming in short gasps. "Sean, I--"
"Shh," he interrupted, his finger pressing gently against her lips. "Don't say anything. Just listen. I'm going to tell you exactly what I'd do to you if you let me."
Elizabeth's eyes widened, but she didn't pull away. She had no clue he might be into her until now. Guys like Sean never thought girls like her were hot.
Sean's voice was a low, seductive whisper. "First, I'd take you somewhere private. Somewhere we could be alone. I'd start by kissing you, slow and deep, my hands running down your body, feeling every curve, every inch of skin that Curtis has never appreciated."