Carter throws her head back and a throaty laugh I’ve never heard before bubbles out of her. “Only the greatest show on TV.”
She spends the next ten minutes explainingRiverdaleto me and despite all odds, I’m kind of intrigued by the dark, vampy feel, so I settle in to watch as I chug down the last of my water. “Who’s that?” I ask when a skinny, dark-haired emo dude starts pounding away on his laptop.
“Only the best half of Bughead.” Her whole face lights up, triggering a pang of jealousy low in my gut. Great. Now I’m jealous of a guy on a fucking TV show? That’s stupid, right? “They’re my favorite ship.”
I don’t even ask. I’m pretty sure it’s short forrelationship, but hell if I know. More importantly, I can’t help but notice the guy’s wearing a red shirt with a giant black S on it. Just like the one Carter was wearing earlier. Makes perfect sense now.
“That’s the kind of guy you’re into?” I jerk my head toward the screen and turn my body toward hers, encroaching on her cushion so our legs are fully pressed together now. “You can’t be serious.”
“What?” She squares her shoulders and lifts her chin. “He’s actually kind of badass, but he also happens to be a nice guy.”
I snort, my breath coming hot and fevered. “Nice?”
“There’s nothing wrong with being attracted to nice guys.” Her nostrils flare just a tiny bit, and I know I’m getting under her skin in more ways than one. Is it possible she’s feeling the same undeniable pull of attraction? “They’re…safe.”
I get it. She thinks I’m a man-whoring asshole. It fits the played-out baller narrative. I should be glad of it for about a million different reasons. Problem is, I’m having trouble remembering those reasons when she’s looking at me with fire in her eyes, chest rising and falling with labored breaths.
“Safe is boring.”
I don’t give her a chance to protest. I slide a hand around the back of her neck, relishing the pleasure of skin-to-skin contact—hers smooth and silky, mine rough and calloused—before I tangle my fingers in her hair and pull her close, stopping when our lips are a breath apart. I shouldn’t be doing this. We shouldn’t be doing this. But she doesn’t pull away, just keeps those big brown eyes fixed on mine, and it’s so fucking hot I know safe is the last thing she wants, even if she’ll never admit it.
Just one kiss. One taste of the forbidden fruit.
We’ll get it out of our systems and move on.
The air is practically humming with electricity as I bring my other hand up to cup her cheek. I close the gap between us, brushing my lips against hers. I expect the kiss to be slow and gentle, but when she parts her lips, a small sigh escapes, and my control slips. The kiss explodes like wildfire, a desperate mating of tongues and desire as her lips incinerate the last of my restraint.
Carter’s mouth is soft and welcoming and every nerve in my body is screaming for more. I don’t know how long we go on like that, mouths searching for sweet salvation. It could be minutes; it could be hours. But when she finally pulls away, her lips red, swollen, and thoroughly kissed, reality comes roaring back into focus and I know I’m fucked.
One taste of Carter will never be enough.
20
KENNEDY
“Rise and shine.”The insistent whisper-hiss is followed by a not-so-gentle shake. I give a tug on the comforter and bat aimlessly at the hand clutching my shoulder. It’s my only day to sleep in. I am so not getting out of this bed. “What is Austin Reid doing on our couch?”
Shit.
Panic slams through me as I try to think of a good explanation. Truth is, there’s no good explanation for making out with Reid on the couch, so I stall, taking the time to wipe the sleep from my eyes. Part of me had hoped he’d just sort of shuffle out in the morning and we could avoid this whole awkward morning-after disaster.
Clearly that was wishful thinking.
Becca’s watching me expectantly, a devious grin on her face as she waits for details.
Best to stick with the truth.
Just maybe not the whole truth.
Yes, I’m a hypocrite. But it was a onetime thing. No repeat performances. And definitely no post-kiss obsessing with my bestie.
When I finally meet her eyes, Becca’s practically vibrating with excitement. “I can’t believe Austin Reid is on our couch. God, he’s so hot. Even when he’s sleeping. Wait. Did you hook up with him last night? Please tell me you hooked up with him. Was it amazing?”
As a matter of fact, it was. The guy damn near set my panties on fire—with just his mouth—and it was all I could do not to rip his shirt off and lick each and every one of those perfectly sculpted muscles. But I can’t say that, so I stuff the guilt down deep and gesture to my fully clothed self, then at the empty bed. “Does it look like we hooked up?”
Not exactly a lie, but not the whole truth either.
“I knew it was too much to hope for.” Becca sighs dramatically and inches back toward the door, sneaking a peek down the hall. I’m not sure if she’s checking to make sure he’s still asleep or if she’s just plain old checking him out. I bite the inside of my cheek. Probably the latter. “Only you could have that sexy man beast over and not make a move. So, what’s he doing here then?”
