“Boo hoo.”
His dimple winks at me as he smiles, lowering his voice. “My buddies will never let me hear the end of it if I walk away from you without a kiss, but I have a feeling your friend won’t let you leave either unless she thinks something happened between us. So, what do you say to getting out of your comfort zone and saving me from public humiliation?”
As much as I don’t want to admit Jack’s probably right, I’m afraid he is. I know if I really want to put my foot down, Macy and I would leave in a heartbeat, but at the very least, I don’t think I’d hate kissing Jack. My body is reacting to him more than it has to anyone in a long time, and kissing Jack doesn’t mean trusting him.
There are a hundred reasons why I shouldn’t kiss him, but maybe I don’t want to think for once. I can blame this on the alcohol tomorrow.
“One shot, buddy. Do your worst,” I say as he steps off the stool to tower over me. I pull my lower lip into my mouth, trying not to gasp when Jack lifts his hand to tuck some of my long, dark hair out of my face.
His blue eyes drop to my mouth, and his touch skates along the back of my neck, angling my head up to meet him. “I wasn’t pulling a line on you when I said you’re beautiful.”
“Sorry if I don’t exactly believe yo—” Jack silences me by slanting his mouth over mine, and my eyes flutter shut while Ilean into him. I’m highly aware of how his fingertips are gently holding my head as Jack’s lips move unhurried against mine.
I rest my hand on his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through the soft material of his shirt as Jack sweeps his tongue over my bottom lip. I open my mouth, letting his tongue explore further as I respond by curling my fingers into his shirt, tugging him closer.
He rumbles a delicious sound from the back of his throat, and it’s a great kiss. Maybe better than great, but it’s over before I can decide, as Jack pulls away a few moments later. “How was my worst?” he asks, oozing confidence, but I don’t miss the way his voice wobbles, telling me he enjoyed the kiss as much as I did.
I look at my hand, still gripping his shirt, making a show of removing it to wipe my mouth on the back of my hand, as if it’s enough to erase the electric feeling of our kiss. “Solid three.”
“You’re killing me, Alex.” Jack’s head tips back as a laugh escapes him, his handsome features crinkling with joy, and I can’t help the smile that forms on my face.
“Sorry, Jack. Maybe you’ll do better with the next poor girl you solicit at the bar to keep your friends from making fun of you.”
His thumb gently strokes the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine, but Jack catches me by surprise when he leans in to graze his lips over mine once more. “Can I get your number? Maybe I can convince you I can do better than a three.” His head dips again, and his breath tickles my ear as Jack’s deep voice tempts me.“In all areas.”
Yeah, I have no doubt. I’m afraid to let myself wonder if this is what kissing Jack feels like, then how much better would everything else be with him compared to my previous experiences? Yet, it’s also a stark reminder of how different I am, because I have no business entertaining this idea.
“My number’s reserved for men who earn at least a seven, which makes this a one-time thing.”
He shakes his head, taking a step back as if somehow understanding the thoughts running through my mind. “Guess it makes me selfish to say I hope I’ll see ya again, Al.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” I joke, and he walks back to his friends, his shoulders shaking with more laughter.
My phone ringing at full blast pulls me out of my dreamless sleep, and I fumble for it blindly in the dark room. It slips out of my grasp, clattering to the floor.
“Alondra, answer your fucking phone before my head explodes,” Macy groans from her spot in the bed next to me.
“Maybe you should have slept in your bed,” I groan when I finally grasp where it fell. “Hello?” I answer, my head beginning to throb.
“Good morning to you too,” my dad says, and I wipe my eyes with my hand, sitting up. My blackout curtains are working a little too well.
“What time is it?”
He sighs, his disappointment clear, which is exactly what I need this morning. “Eight. I need you to stop by my office this morning,” he says, and I bite back my groan. I have no interest in going to his office.
“Seriously? I have plans with?—”
“It’s not optional, Al.” Great, he’s using his coach tone with me, and when he’s like this, it’s not worth arguing.
“I’ll be there in an hour.”
“The team will be in at nine thirty, but we should be done by then.”
“Got it.” I hang up quickly, and the sound of Macy’s snoring fills the room again.I wish I could fall asleep that fast.I lie there for a moment, recalling how Jack’s lips felt against mine. Completely sober, I know what a bad idea it was kissing him, but I also can’t deny it was an amazing kiss. Far better than the three I told him it was.
But sober me remembers where I recognize him from, and it’s the class we have together.
Jack has never noticed me before, so hopefully our brief kiss doesn’t change anything.
