Anna took a deep breath and the bright grin on her face was akin to the one she wore when she won her many pageant awards. But underneath, she was bristling. Without breaking composure, she muttered through clenched teeth, “Josh, I’m going to fucking kill you.”
“You can’t kill me. I’m too pretty to die young. Let a guy live a little, why don’t you?”
“I’m giving you a head start by counting to three. Run.”
Obviously, Anna was kidding. She wasn’t actually going to harm him. Nonetheless, Josh backed away slowly, raising his hands. “Listen to me, Anna. Experiencing emotions is a normal, healthy part of being a human. It’s okay that you felt jealous. I, in fact, feel jealousy all the time when another man looks at my Layla. Makes me want to tear their eyes out. I don’t always act on the impulse. I mean, maybe I have once. I’m only human after all. The point is, it’s totally okay to be attracted to my friend and want to explore this—fuck!”
He broke out into boyish laughter when Anna advanced towards him. He practically ran over to Layla, interrupting her conversation with Darla, and used her as a shield to protect himself.
“I’m kidding! I didn’t say shit! I’m just teasing you!” he yelled, still laughing. He was drawing a crowd. “Layla, save me! Anna’s trying to kill me!”
As always, Josh found enjoyment in riling the people in his vicinity.
“Whatever you did or said, I’m sure you deserved it.” Layla mock-sighed but still braced her arms back to protect him. It was comical. He was twice her size and towered over her, yet she was defending him. “Anna, I’m sorry on behalf of Josh. Will you please forgive him?”
“Only if he promises to stop trying to set me up with people,” Anna returned as she neared them. She wasn’t able to keep up the stern façade, though. The smile twitching her lips betrayed her. “And if you promise to tighten his leash.”
“Done.” Layla elbowed Josh. “Apologize, sweetie.”
“It was a harmless joke.” Josh pouted in a silly, sullen tone. “Fine, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t meddle in your love life again. But don’t come running to me when you need my help.”
“Thank you.” Anna placed her hands on her hips. “And congratulations on winning your trophy, Josh. You did great.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard.”
“Don’t push it.”
“What’s going on here?” Hunter joined our circle, wrapping an arm around my waist and tugging me into his side.
“Anna and Josh had a brief squabble,” I informed. “It’s all good now.”
Hunter touched his forehead to mine. “Are you ready to leave?”
That husky, laced with lust, tone told me I was in trouble. I spared the party a deft glance. “We haven’t been here for long.”
His gaze darkened. “I did my rounds and had a drink with the boys. I’m ready to leave and celebrate with you.” His mouth drifted to my ear, whispering, “I doubt we’ll be missed. No one will notice we’re gone, doll, and by the time they do”—his sentence ended on a low chuckle—“I’ll already be deep inside your pussy.”
My desire fluttered like a hummingbird locked in a cage, desperate to be let loose. “Hunter.”
Blue eyes drew to my mouth like a moth to a flame. “Say yes, Gabriela.”
Why was I torturing us by prolonging the inevitable? Hunter was right. Everyone was having a good time. They wouldn’t realize if we left early.
The pads of my fingers drew over his dark stubble and his jaw clenched, the lines of his body following suit. All those thick, tan, rippling muscles. At my beck and call. I couldn’t wait to tearmio principeout of his clothes and ride him to kingdom come.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Let’s go.”
We said quick goodbyes to our friends, under the guise of heading home because we were tired. They didn’t call us out on our bullshit, their knowing smirks doing the talking instead.
Hunter didn’t even put his coat on after helping me in mine. He draped his over his arm and tugged me out of the brownstoneand down the empty sidewalk with the quality of a man running low on patience, his libido guiding his every action.
I would have laughed if I weren’t in the same boat. My thong dampened with need and my hunger spiked to insurmountable heights with every passing second of his polished shoes and my heels clicking against the concrete ground.
“Move those legs faster, shorty,” he teased. “I’ve got places to be.”
“I’m trying,” I retorted. “You’re not the one jogging home in six-inch stilettos because your boyfriend is desperate to fuck you.”
His throaty laughter only fanned the flames of my desire further. God, everything about him was a turn-on to me. “Guilty. You want to be carried, princess?”
