She pouts like it’s going to have any effect on me.“Don’t be that way, silly.”
“Gallo,” Coach Malik says from behind me.“Go on ahead.I need to talk to Tracie.”
I drop her hand and glare at her.“Leave me alone, Tracie.It’s the last warning I’m going to give you.”
“It’s that bitch, isn’t it?”
My body stiffens, and an anger I haven’t felt in years courses through my veins.My hands ball up at my sides, and I’m about to open my mouth when Coach puts his hand on my shoulder, stopping me.
“Go, Vinnie.Don’t do anything stupid.Let me talk with her.”
I don’t turn around.
I don’t speak.
I walk off, leaving Tracie and the coach to hash out the shit she’s still pulling with me, even after warnings from her grandfather.
“Whoa.”It’s the only word that comes to mind when Bianca opens the door to her place.
She’s dressed in a cream-colored gown, covered with lace and so many frills, she looks more like a princess than a writer.She grabs the bottom, holding it out and showing me all the layers.“It’s not too much?”
“You look…” I trail off and step forward, running my hand up her arm.“…like the most beautiful girl in the world.”
She doesn’t move away from my touch.“You’re looking quite handsome yourself, but then again, you clean up well.”
“Says the girl who pulls off sweat pants and a messy bun.”
She rolls her eyes.“Now I know you’re lying.I, in no way, pull off or look good in my writing outfit.”
“Baby.”I slide my hand up her arm before I trace her exposed collarbone with my finger.“You, wearing that outfit, riding me and moaning my name… There has never been anything sexier.”
“Vinnie.”She looks at me with those big brown eyes.“Don’t.We can’t miss this party.”
“Don’t what?”I play innocent, but all I want to do is walk her backward, peel off that dress, and bury my head between her legs.I’ve been dying to know what she tastes like, how different she’ll sound coming on my tongue instead of through her pants.
“You’re trying to seduce me.”
“Is it working?”I raise an eyebrow, hoping like fuck she says yes.
“Not one bit.”She smiles coyly, and I know she’s lying.“We can’t be late, or my parents will kill me.”
“Well, my chariot awaits.”
She shakes her head.“I’m driving.This is my night, and I’m not squeezing all these layers inside that tiny sports car of yours.”
I like when she’s bossy.“Whatever makes you happy.”
She tries to walk in front of me as we make our way toward the elevator, but I pull her backward, wanting her at my side.
“You don’t have to pretend yet.We’re alone,” she says as she pushes the button on the wall, but she doesn’t look at me as she speaks.
“Who’s pretending?”I stare at her, waiting for her to look at me.“I’m not.”
I don’t know what she isn’t getting.Maybe I haven’t made myself clear.I know we started this as some arrangement to help each other out, scratch each other’s backs, but that’s not how things have evolved this week.
“You don’t have to do this.”She stares down at the marble floor.“After tonight, you never have to see me again.”
I turn her to face me and place two fingers under her chin, forcing her to look at me.“Baby, don’t say those words.This may have started out as a favor, but there’s nowhere I’d rather be tonight than at your side.Don’t you know that?”
