I chuckled against her cheek. “Careful, Sweetheart. Keeping this a secret was your idea, remember? If you keep this up, we’re bound to get caught.”
“Fine. But after everyone goes to sleep, you’d better get your ass to my room.”
Then, she was gone. Looking around, I was thankful no one was close by. I needed a minute to get my raging hard-on under control. I was wishing I still had jeans on, because these sweatpants weren’t doing me any favors in hiding the effect Lexi had on me. When I had everything sorted out, I rejoined the others in the living room, where they were gathered around the coffee table.
“What do you think, brother, Cards Against Humanity or Bullshit?” Nathan asked as I took a seat on the floor across the table from Lexi.
After a few hystericalrounds ofCards Against Humanity, it was Dylan’s turn to be the card czar, and as hepulled a black card from the pile, he chuckled, “I still can’t believe you bought this place.”
Lexi chimed in, “I can’t wait for a summertime invite. This snow crap isn’t really my thing.”
“The snow’s not so bad when you’ve got a cozy fire and good company,” I added, giving her a wink.
She rolled her eyes. Dismissing me, she turned toward Daphne. “I expect summer beach parties.”
Daphne laughed, “Yeah, okay, I think we can make that happen, right, babe?” She beamed at my brother.
“Of course.” He leaned down, kissing her.
“Gross, get a room,” Dylan huffed.
“Great idea.” Nathan scooped Daphne up and carried her to their room. “See ya in the morning!” He called over his shoulder as Lexi, Dylan, and I hooted and hollered after them.
“I guess you two will be sneaking off to do some canoodling of your own then?” Dylan teased as he started cleaning up the cards.
“I don’t knowwhatyou’re talking about, Dylan,” Lexi said with a roll of her eyes.
“Cut the crap, you two.” Dylan set the cards down. “Anyone with eyes can see that the two of you are back at it. Just don’t break his heart again, okay, Lexi?”
“Hey, that’s not fair. It’s not all Lexi’s fault things that went the way they did. I was rushing things, and neither of us was ready.” I came to Lexi’s defense.
She chimed in. “I know I handled things poorly, Dylan, and I’m sorry for that. Brandon knows how sorry I am, too,and we’re going slower this time. I’m really trying not to fuck it up again.”
“Whatever. I’ve said what I had to say. You two are adults. Do whatever you want.” Dylan got up. “I’m going to bed. See you guys in the morning.”
“Goodnight,” Lexi and I said almost in unison.
Once Dylan was halfway up the stairs, the energy in the room seemed to shift. Lexi and I stared at each other across the table, unmoving except for our breaths. Mine were ragged, and every breath felt like a chore. I wanted to turn the table over and cross the room to her, but we were in someone else’s home and had an agreement between us—an agreement that I was struggling to uphold at that moment.
35
LEXI
“My room, now,” I whispered as I moved to get up, but Brandon grabbed my arm across the table, stopping me.
“What about our no-sex clause?” he said through gritted teeth. I knew he wanted to say,fuck it, too, but I also understood his hesitation. It had only been a few weeks since we’d started this whole friends-first relationship, and while things were going really well, I was still afraid that sleeping with him again so soon would fuck everything up.
I looked into his eyes and gave him a sly smile. “Who said anything about sex?”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Oh, my bad. Between that kiss earlier and the tone in which youdemandedI come to your room, I assumed that’s what you meant. Did I misinterpret your intentions, Sweetheart?”
His stupid nickname for me had finally stoppedannoying me, but then it only got me hotter for him—as if that were possible. “Come with me, okay?”
“Okay,” he agreed, and we walked to my room. Once safely inside, I locked the door and stood with my back against it. Brandon crowded into my space. Leaning down, he breathed into my ear, “What now?”
I clenched my legs tightly together, attempting to relieve the tension building there. “Why are you making this so hard?”
“I think that’s my line,” he chuckled.
