I repeat that over and over to myself, but it doesn’t seem to help my resolve when I lean back in my chair, signaling to the group that I’m happy and comfortable in the seat I’m in watching, observing.
Abby glances over to me, her eyes trail my relaxed form and a sheepish smile appears over that gorgeous face. Her brows tick up and I wonder if she’s thinking exactly what I was trying to tell her during our conversation in the garage earlier.
These guys may look like they want to kill each other, but given the chance, they’d fall to their knees for each other.
Abby returns that same knowing look before turning back to Wade.
His chest rises as dramatically as it falls. As cool as he appears I know he’s balancing on a tightrope in his head. The one that Abby currently has full control over.
“Wade…” Everyone stops breathing. “I double dare you,” she leans in closer to him, her eyes bouncing between his eyes and lips, “to recreate Jasper’s first kiss…with Jasper.”
“Oh shit.” Jasper chokes on his own saliva as he whispers the words.
Wade’s breathing picks up, a crease forms between his eyes as he takes in Abby’s words. His fists clench around her hips, as if trying to reel himself in, probably unsure if he wants to freak out and run out of the room or lift his chin and take on her challenge.
I clear my throat, not because I’m trying to push him but because I forgot I stopped breathing. It’s the same state everyone is currently in.
Wade side-eyes in my direction, glances over at Jasper then his eyes rise up to meet Abby’s, who's still straddling his lap. Their eyes lock on each other and it’s as if you can hear them click in place.
Keeping his eyes locked on hers, he finally says, “Jasper, get over here.”
CHAPTER 17
EXCUSE ME WHILE I CLAIM TEMPORARY INSANITY
WADE
Iswallow thickly attempting to coat my dry throat with something other than sandpaper and nerves.
I have no idea where my confidence is coming from…actually, I do. It’s coming from the gorgeous woman currently sitting on my lap, looking down at me with nothing but admiration behind them and a satisfied smirk on those plump lips of hers.
Lips I lost myself in twice today.
A sound rustles behind her but I ignore it, knowing it’s Jasper slowly inching his way toward us. Instead of looking at him, I keep my eyes locked on Abby, drawing the assurance I need from her.
Her long, dark hair drapes over her shoulders, covering the top half of her body almost entirely. I want to cup her face and tuck the thick curtain behind her ear but I almost feel as if it’s blocking us from the outside world. The private serenity gives me the courage I’ve been searching for.
How is it that she’s known all of us for only a few short hours, yet it feels like a lifetime she’s been part of our circle? Thecomfort she brings is undeniable. And I know if I asked the guys the same question, they wouldn’t have a reasonable explanation either.
Jasper appears in my periphery, he’s pulling his normally shaggy hair into his signature manbun and I love when he wears it that way.
I’d never admit that to him though.
He kneels down beside the chair that Abby is straddling me in, but still I keep my eyes on her. I don’t trust how my body or mind will respond when I see him sitting so close to me. I already feel him when he’s close, like my entire body is a Jasper locating radar and my body starts to tingle whenever he is near.
Abby gives me a comforting smile and I mirror it back before closing my eyes and sucking in a deep breath. As I reopen them, they shift over in the direction of the man that I’ve trained myself to despise, knowing if I allowed myself to open up to him, I would lose all sense of myself. But as our eyes connect, it’s the first time I don’t care about the normalcy of my life or fight with myself to stop the natural response my body has to him.
I just want him to kiss me like his life fucking depends on it.
I want him to claim me, like he claimed his best friend.
Abby begins to lift off me but I tense my hands tighter around her hips. I need her to stay. Not only is she a comfort blanket that is covering up my massive erection, but she’s protecting me from full exposure to Jasper. Which is something I know I need.
She stops pulling away from me and sits back down, placing one hand on my shoulder while her other hand cups my jaw, forcing my gaze back to hers. Without any other warning, she leans into me kissing me again, and this time knowing it’s because she really wants to and not because it’s a dare, makes my stomach flip and my heart beats so hard I can feel it in every corner of my body.
She releases her hand from my jaw and I hate how the cold air hits my skin so I pull her flush against my body, needing more of the comfort she brings. Her other hand moves up the column of my neck, gripping the hair at my nape. It’s gentle but commanding and when her lips leave mine, I know exactly what to expect when I open my eyes.
But that still doesn’t prepare me against the foreign sensation of seeing Jasper’s face just inches from mine as she guides us closer together.
