“Bullshit. There is so something happening between the two of you. You like him, don’t you? You think he’s sexy,” she drags out the end of the word sexy.
Rolling my eyes, I stand from my spot on the bed and begin to pace back and forth, hoping that will help the headache that is now building inside me.
“I do not. He was having some sort of panic attack, and I was just trying to distract him, and I didn’t know how else to do it,” I clarify. She can’t honestly believe that I of all people would have a thing for Holland Monroe.
Except, do I have a thing for him? Do I think he’s sexy? Do I want to see how good he is in bed? Yes, yes, I do. Fuck, I do have a thing for him.I am so screwed.
Chapter 23
Holland
The large room is adorned with white and light blue decorations to match the color scheme of the wedding. White tablecloths cover the tables, and extravagant floral arrangements sit as the centerpieces on each.
A lit candle sits beside it, which almost seems like a fire hazard to me. An open flame next to flowers, on a flammable surface? That doesn’t seem like a good idea, but that’s just me.
Name tags sit at each place at the table, as if we’re children and need assigned seats. Large crystal chandeliers hang from the tall ceilings, and there is a massive dance floor at the front of the space.
The ballroom in the hotel is the perfect place for a huge party, and that’s exactly what it will be used for tomorrow after Gwen and Ryker tie the knot.
I haven’t seen either of them all day. In fact, I haven’t seen much of anyone all day other than Mason, who apparently made use of the hotel’s spa this morning.
He’s also made use of the large infinity pool that overlooks the water, and the hotel gym that is somehow bigger than the gym back at Ellington, and that’s saying something because that gym is huge.
Leave it to Mason to be the one to use every single amenity there is to be offered. We’ve been here for less than twenty-four hours, and he’s completely made himself at home.
After we landed in Naples, I immediately went to my room and took a long, hot shower. I needed to wash away the stress from the plane and the thoughts of Lainey’s mouth on mine.
Fuck, was she a good kisser. I always had a feeling she’d be a good kisser. She’s got those full pink lips, and I would love to see the way they look wrapped around my-
Woah, there, Holland. Slow down. It was a kiss, one kiss. Yes, it was an amazing kiss, and if we weren’t interrupted by Mason, the fucking idiot, I’m not sure I would have been able to stop myself from touching her further.
The small space would have made it a bit difficult to do everything I want to do to her, but I would have found a way.
I know she wanted me too. I could tell by the way her kiss deepened when I lightly squeezed her hips and pulled her closer to me. It was the best distraction I could have asked for.
She told me to kiss her, and I was completely taken aback. She’s always been pretty forward. Lainey Barkley is not a shy girl. She isn’t afraid to tell you how she feels or make sure you know what’s up.
But when she demanded that I kiss her, my whole world stopped. I thought I’d heard her wrong, because why would she tell me to kiss her? I don’t even know if she considers us to be friends half of the time.
She completely shocked me, but I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity I’d been dreaming about for months. Maybe even years.
Lainey was right there in front of me, her petite body, curly brown hair, and blue grey eyes staring back at me, telling me to use her as a distraction, and I had never wanted anything more.
I don’t know if I’ll ever have that chance again, but I do know I need to at least try to make it possible. Now that I’ve had a small taste of her, there’s no way I can go the rest of my life without having more. She’s like a drug, and I’m not incredibly hooked.
“Why are you just standing there? You’re in the way,” a familiar feminine voice says from behind me, breaking me out of my trance like state.
Lainey walks past me, rolling her eyes. Her brown curls fall down her back, and the airy, sky blue, dress that falls to just above her knees makes my throat dry. She looks delectable, and I want to taste every single inch of her until I memorize her every curve.
“Hello? Earth to Ball Boy,” she chides, waving her hand in front of my face. “Did you forget how to read? Can’t find your name?”
Well, just like that, the moments gone. Instead of thinking about how much I want to taste her again, I’m now thinking of different ways I can shut her up.
Rolling my eyes, I stride past her, finding my spot and taking my seat. She and I are the first ones here, and the tension in the room is high.
Looking at the spot next to me, I check the name on the tag, smiling devilishly when I spot the name. Placed right next to me is none other than the little bug herself.
“Looks like you’re right here, Lainey Bug. I grin, winking at her. She groans, rolling her eyes and making her way over to where I’m sitting.
