“Then they’d better pray they know how to keep up.”
And before I can respond, he’s on me, crushing his mouth to mine in a kiss that’s all teeth and heat and promise. It saysmineeven if it never saysonly. It says he’s willing to fight for a place in my chaos and ruin anyone who tries to take it from him.
And I kiss him back like I believe it.
We're a brutal, beautiful mess. Kissing in a battle for dominance, neither of us willing to surrender, until his hand curls at the base of my throat, grip unrelenting, guiding my mouth to his with ruthless precision. He licks against the seam of my lips, and I open for him like he owns me. Like Iwanthim to.
I’m seconds from begging. One more kiss, one more grind, and I’ll be whimpering his name, when we hear voices and footsteps just around the bend.
Axel. Nik.
The sound slices through the moment like a blade of ice. Johnny jerks back, chest heaving, pupils blown wide. We stare at each other, mouths swollen, breaths ragged, caught between what just happened and what still simmers between us.
“Get in the passenger seat,” he says gruffly.
And I do. Without a single word. Because whatever this thing is between us… it’s not over. Not even close.
We sit in heavy silence as Axel and Nik approach, taking their sweet time. My lips are tingling, my face itchy from Johnny’s beard, and I can stillfeelthe weight of him between my legs. I wonder if it’s written all over me. If they’llknow.
Johnny hasn’t looked at me since he shut the driver’s door.
I swallow and ask, “Are you okay to drive?”
“Yes.” His voice is low, controlled. “I had less than two beers, and I drank water before I found you. I’d never drive drunk. Especially not with any of you in the car.”
Well, we can’t blame this on alcohol. He’s practically sober, and I’m barely holding onto a buzz after... that.
Axel and Nik climb in, barely sparing us a glance. Thank God. I must look like I’ve been thoroughly kissed, and there’s only one person in the car who could’ve done it.
Johnny pulls away from the party like nothing happened. It’s decided Nik’s crashing at ours tonight, and Johnny will drop him off sometime tomorrow.
Before I know it, we’re home. Axel and Nik head inside, but Johnny waits for me at the door. I walk up the porch steps, shyly. I don’t know what to say, how to act, what the hell I’m supposed to feel. But he takes my hand and leads me inside and upstairs anyway, saying nothing.
In my room, he guides me to the bathroom and stays while I remove my makeup and brush my teeth. When I’m done, he hands me pajamas and steps out to give me privacy while I change and pee.
When I come back out, he’s gone, but I’m too tired to care.
I’m already under the covers when he walks back in.
“Here, honey. Sit up for a sec.”
I grumble but comply. He hands me a full glass.
“Electrolytes,” he explains. “Drink all of it. You’ll feel better tomorrow.”
I chug it gratefully, hand the empty glass back, and flop back down into my pillow.
Johnny leans over me, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head, and just before sleep claims me, I swear I hear him whisper, “mine.”
Chapter 22
My heartbeat thuds against my skull. How much did I drink?
Bits and pieces from last night drift back in hazy fragments.Playing flip cup with Johnny. Dancing with Nik and Axel.Dancing with Johnny...making out with Johnny. And more. That kiss will haunt me forever. Pretty sure he ruined me for anyone else.
Groaning at my questionable life choices, I roll over.
When I finally crack my eyes open, I spot a full glass of water and pain relievers waiting on my nightstand. Whoever put them there is a saint. I don’t even care who. I down the pills and the entire glass like my life depends on it.
