I look down at Vivienne, wishing I could remove us both from this situation, but there’s no way around it. Her hands fidget nervously by her sides, and I interlace my fingers with hers and squeeze them tightly.
Physical touch. I’ve come to realize it’s the only way to calm her down—ground her back to reality.
“Focus on me.” I make sure she hears my words. “We don’t have to do this. Don’t feel pressured.”
Vivienne shakes her head like my suggestion is absurd. “There’s no way out. We can’t avoid this.” She turns back to see her friend jumping excitedly at the prospect of us kissing. “I will say, I no longer know that girl after today. I’m tackling her to the floor the second we get home.”
I tilt my head to the side. “Have Melanie’s threats been rubbing off on you?”
From her nod, it’s obvious that she’s been a horrible influence.
“I—let’s just get this over with.” Vivienne lets out a long sigh, averting her gaze. “Our hands are tied. It’sclear that we don’t have a choice.”
My heart plummets at the prospect of making her do something that doesn’t sit well with her. But again, she’s right—there’s no other way around this with so many eyes on us, unless…
“Do you trust me?”
Vivienne laughs nervously. “I barely know you.”
The words hurt more than they should, but I can’t blame her, and I certainly don’t let it deter me. I take her hand in mine, raising our arms and waving them around until the crowd settles.
“Here we go!” I say, bringing her hand to my mouth and placing the loudest, chastest kiss I can muster. The room erupts in a chorus of “boos,”with that damn redhead at the forefront of it all.
Why won’t she let this go?
“Kiss her like you mean it!” Sutton encourages.
“We don’t have forever!” Grayson agrees.
“Let’s just kiss and forget today ever happened.” Vivienne takes a step toward me, her hands landing on my chest as she cranes her neck to match my height.
“Not something a man wants to hear when you’re about to kiss him. Kinda kills the mood. Don’t you think, Vivienne?”
The brunette rolls her eyes.She’s back.“This isn’t the time for your flirty and coy remarks. Nothing about this situation is exactly comedy material.”
“Fine,” I agree reluctantly, stepping closer.
My hands reach out to cup her face, and my heart beats faster at the prospect of what’s about to ensue.
For the first time, Vivienne flinches at the touch, her hesitation and nervousness more obvious than before. My thumb traces over the soft curve of her cheek as I lean in, our noses brushing in a breathless, featherlight touch.
“What is it that you say again?” I ask, meeting her eyes. “Let’s get this shit over with?”
Vivienne lets out a soft laugh, eyes wrinkling at the corners before they flick up to meet mine.
The sight tugs a smile from my lips, and I can’t stop myself from looking down at her own. Pouty. Bloodred. I don’t care if it stains as long as I can feel them on mine. I’ll let the guiltof wanting to do this eat me up tomorrow—for now, I’ll let myself indulge.
“You ready?” I ask, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
She nods in approval, inching forward before stopping millimeters away from me. Her eyes flutter closed in anticipation, and my sight lingers on the red of her lips one last time before committing to the act.
Our lips touch—a peck at first. There’s a tension to her in the beginning—hard, rigid—like she’s unsure about this all, but something shifts. She softens, melting into the kiss, hands pulling me closer by the lapels of my suit jacket.
Warm and sweet—she tastes like champagne and brown sugar cookies, and it’s goddamn addictive. Everything about her is. I’d shamelessly keep going if so many people didn’t surround us, but that would be wrong with the promise I made her.
I break off the kiss,reluctantly, not missing the way Vivienne leans forward. Her magnetism reels me back in, my hand slipping around her waist and drawing her tight against me until her lips part in a soft gasp.
Fucking delectable.
