“That anyone here would want to fuck you, Jax. Look around.”
I wondered how James was able to be so comfortable regarding his sexuality. People misjudged his renowned promiscuity and the fact that he knew no limits. I admired how naturally he wove human relationships and the fluidity with which he navigated them. But there were boundaries between us. We were best friends, and it wasn’t right to cross those lines with our hands or our lips.
“If that’s your choice, I’ll respect it. If you don’t feel the impulse to have to put it somewhere, fine. But fucking tell me.”
Sometimes James pushed, got too close to people, as if he didn’t care about decency. He did it with girls, guys, anyone. Then again, other times you couldn’t even look at him or he’d start scratching like a wounded cat.
“What are you blathering on about, James?”
“I’m not judging, I just don’t understand your sudden change.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sammy didn’t seem to have any big issues when we banged.” He giggled.
I turned red.
“You banged Sammy?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah, sorry about that. But you only made her go down on you in the meantime.” He laughed, amused while he moistened his lower lip with his tongue, forcing me to stare at him.
I balled my fist at my side.
“Look, what did you meananyone? Did you mean, anyone, anyone?” I asked almost angrily.
He scowled.
“Duh, what are you so surprised at?”
Then he laid his eyes on my lips, and the memory of his rough tongue sent a tremor to my lower stomach.
“Why are you getting mad now, Jax?” He moved so close to me that I had to move backward. I thought about that kiss again.
“You’re a dick.” I pushed him.
James burst out laughing, but he immediately stopped when his eyes widened in a very specific direction.
“What is it?” It dawned on me as soon as I saw Ethan Austin heading toward the main gate of Will’s house.
“Where the fuck did Will go?” shouted James nervously.
I looked around for William in the crowd, but I couldn’t find him. Meanwhile James had already pounced on June.
“Snow White, you’re coming with me.”
“What do you want?”
He grabbed her arm, forcing her to stand up.
“Hunter, let me go! Don’t put your greasy paws on me.”
“Austin’s here. You’re not safe.”
Only a blind person would miss that James was an inch away from her lips.
Usually I didn’t get annoyed by how he acted. He treated everyone the same way. But this time, the way that those two looked at each other. . . fuck, it hurt.
Suddenly, I turned around and went inside to get a beer. I saw Blaze in one corner with a leg folded and his foot planted against the wall. He was wearing a gray sweater and a pair of ripped jeans. He stood quietly, pretending to participate in a conversation. Between the screams and giggles, there wasn’t any room for his docile, mild-mannered, pensive self.
