“You’re an ass.” I knot my hands around his neck as my legs instinctively tighten around his waist.
“Bet you’re not feeling the cold now though.”
I’m not, but it’s not for the reason he thinks. Awareness of how we’re pressed up against one another boils the blood flowing in my veins. His hand is lying dangerously close to my ass, and from this angle, he has a perfect view of my breasts. My chest heaves as I watch him staring at my boobs, his pupils darkening as that familiar charge ignites the air between us. He thickens underneath my ass, and my hips roll of their own volition. His chin jerks up, eyes flaring with heat as his hand slips lower, squeezing my butt cheeks.
Callan’s dark gaze latches onto my mouth, and I press my chest flush against his, silently willing him to close the gap and kiss me. We’ve had enough of these moments these past few weeks for me to know he wants to kiss me as much as I want him to.
Right now, it feels like I’ll die if I don’t get to taste his lips.
“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”
Our little sisters are the most effective cockblockers in the world, as their playful chant drags me back to the moment. Callan, too, because he instantly unfurls my legs from around hiswaist and separates our bodies. “Time to go, girls,” he says. “It’s too cold to stay in the water for much longer.”
21
ASTRID
“You look really pretty, Gwen,” Renee says as we stand side by side in the bathroom at the venue, touching up our makeup. Asteroid is taking a short break, so, predictably, all the girls made a beeline for the bathroom.
“See? I told you that dress would look perfect on you,” I say before applying a fresh layer of lip gloss. It’s not really needed as my lips haven’t seen a glimmer of action all night. Unlike my two friends, who were smooching their boyfriends at the pizza place and cozying up to them since we got here.
“I’m trying to embrace my femininity.” Gwen smacks her lips while inspecting her reflection in the mirror. Where usually she wears a lot of makeup, she’s gone for a more natural look tonight, and she looks amazing. “Scott brings out the girly in me.”
“I love seeing you so happy, Gwennie. He’s good for you.” Renee fluffs up her hair with her fingers.
“And he’s fitted seamlessly into our friend group. Tonight is going great,” I add, fixing my crop top into place.
“He’s great. I think I love him.”
Renee squeals as she hugs Gwen. “This is awesome. Now, we just need Astrid and Callan to take their heads out of their asses so we can group date regularly.”
“You’re as bad as Gwen,” I mutter, moving aside to let another girl in front of the mirror. “It’s not like that with us.”
“I’m calling bullshit,” Renee says, moving us over to the corner of the bathroom so we’re not causing a traffic jam. “He hasn’t taken his eyes or his hands off you all night.”
“He’s playing a role.”
“He doesn’t need to keep up appearances tonight,” Renee reminds me. “All of us know the truth, and we’re unlikely to run into anyone we know in Burly. There are over two thousand people at this venue tonight. It’d be massively unlucky if you bumped into anyone from school.”
“But it could happen, hence the reason for the pretense.”
“I’ve watched him with you at lunch, and either he’s the best actor on the planet, or he has genuine feelings for you,” Renee adds.
I shrug because who the fuck knows? “That’s just the way he is. The way we are. I’m trying not to read into it even if he confuses me sometimes.”
“Are you saying he’s like that all the time with you?” Renee asks.
“Pretty much. But I don’t think he means anything by it. He’s just a touchy-feely guy.”
“Nah, babe.” Renee shakes her head. “I don’t care what anyone says. You will not convince me he isn’t really into you. I don’t think it’s all fake.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Gwen says, folding her arms across her chest.
“There have been moments where we were close to kissing, and he always pulls away. If he really wanted me, he’s had plenty of opportunities to make a move, and he hasn’t.”
“I think you should just plant one on him,” Gwen says. “It worked for me.”
“No offense, Gwen, but Astrid is not you.”
