They’re soft, gentle. The cool metal from his piercing hitsmy lips just for a moment before he eases back, ending the kiss before it really begins.
I can’t help the heavy sigh that escapes. That’s all I get?
Penn chuckles. “You want more?”
I stare up at him and nod once.
He moves quickly, the grip on the back of my neck tightening. My mouth parts for him, giving him full access, and he takes it. His tongue wraps around mine in measured strokes that make my skin flush.
Heat filters through me, and a small moan spills out. He groans, pushing me into the door and kissing me harder. My lungs constrict—begging for air, but I don’t want to stop. The coolness of his lip ring and the hot laps of his tongue create an ache between my legs. My hands fly to his shirt, yanking him as close to me as possible. I arch into the door, even though I’m already thoroughly pressed against it.
His hand snakes through my hair and tugs, tilting my neck to deepen the kiss, and another whimper slips out of me.
When he pulls away, I’m panting and completely dazed, but I don’t get a second to recover. He licks the shell of my ear all the way to my collarbone in one long stroke. Chill bumps flare in his path, sending a rush of heat to my core.
Then I’m falling.
I flail backward as the door holding me up is jerked open. Penn trips, too, but he rights himself quickly and grabs my hips to keep me from hitting the floor as we stumble into my apartment.
“Oh, oopsie!” Ellie giggles, standing there smiling wide—too wide.
I straighten, smoothing a hand through my hair, trying to gather my wits. I think I lost them somewhere in Penn’s mouth.
“Sorry.” Ellie pouts. “I kept hearing something bump the door. I thought maybe you were having trouble unlocking it.”
“Oh, sorry,” I mumble, unable to meet her eyes.
“I’ll leave you two alone now.” She struts past us to her room.
I turn to Penn, who’s completely unashamed.
“Thank you for tonight.” I step back from his hold, willing my racing heart to slow. My lips are still tingling. That wasn’t just a kiss. That was sparks heating my entire body.
“Anytime. I’ll call you.” He places a light kiss on my forehead and walks out.
I fling myself on the couch, my knees too weak to stand a second longer. Ellie comes flying in as soon as the front door closes.
“Well? How did it go? I’m guessing good, right?”
“It was perfect. We went mini-golfing at this indoor glow place. Then he took me to eat at this cute pub. It was fun.”
“What about the kiss?” Ellie tucks her knees to her chest, ready to hear all the details.
“God,” I groan. “I’ve never been kissed like that before. It was all sweet and soft one minute, then hot and wild the next. My whole body felt like it was on fire. What does that even mean?”
“Oh, that’s good. It means you have chemistry. That means the sex will be ah-maz-ing,” she sings.
“Relax. That’s not happening anytime soon.” But even as I say it, I wonder what sex with Penn would be like. If the kiss is any indication, then she’s right. It would be amazing.
Suddenly, I’m second-guessing my little rule.
22
OLIVIA
I tapthe pencil against my bottom lip, bobbing my head to the beat, ignoring the textbook in my lap. I should be studying, but I can’t focus. I’m watching the band—Penn—practice in Travis’s garage. He usually comes to my place, but I like being here, getting to see him do his thing. You can tell he’s worked hard to be so good. All of them have.
My teeth clamp down on the eraser as I stare at Penn. He’s wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans, his hair a mess as his head sways, fingers moving with skillful precision. I watch intently as he works the strings, creating a pulsing beat. Something hot and heavy stirs inside of me. I’m starting to get jealous of a freaking instrument.
