“Who said anything about rushing? I’m not suggesting we post a picture of us kissing on my Instagram and put each other’s initials in our bios. All I meant is that I’m okay with people seeing us and thinking what they want. I’ve never hidden you from anyone, and I don’t want that to change. Not unless it’s something you’d really be uncomfortable with. You’re already known to the Havoc fans who care enough to dig into our personal lives. Whether that’s because we’re best friends or something more won’t change that fact.”
I worry my lip as he moves into my space and drags his big hands down my arms. The immediate goosebumps that spread over my skin are obvious, and I know the moment he notices them. His sunglasses come off before he rests them on the brim of his hat and offers me an unrestricted view of the devotion glowing in his eyes.
“We go at your pace. If you want to wait to go out again, then I’ll sit patiently and let you come to me. But if you want to get in my car and make out like a couple of teenagers, I’m going to make sure it’s the best make-out session you’ve ever had. Hell, if all you need is for me to stand here and rub your arms until you trust what I’m saying, then I’ll keep going until my palms are raw. Just tell me what you need from me,” he pleads, never retreating.
My mouth curls into a disbelieving smile as I shake my head. I cover his hands with mine and still them before guiding themto my neck and then up to my cheeks. He brushes his thumbs over my lips just once.
“When we were sixteen, I actually caught you making out with Kat Lee in the back seat of your car. The windows were foggy enough that I couldn’t see your face, but I’d seen you walk out of social studies with her, so I put two and two together.”
His laugh is stuttered. “What?”
“Yeah. I can only imagine what went on in there, but I jogged back to the school before you caught me being a creep. I don’t remember what I even wanted to talk to you about. I’m pretty sure whatever it was got burned out of my memory.”
“Why are you telling me this now?”
“Because you brought up making out in your back seat, and that was the first time I was ever jealous of another girl. At least one you were interested in.” I let a breath go and lean into his palm the way I’ve been aching to. “I’ve only felt like that a handful of times in the past. It was easy enough to just write it off as me wanting to be the only woman in your life, but I’m not so sure that’s what it was after all.”
“If you’re telling me you had a crush on me in high school, I’m afraid I’m going to steal your thunder.”
“What?”
“You couldn’t really have thought that I, as a hormone-driven, teenage boy, could look at, spend time with, and touch you without getting remotely interested? News flash, sweetheart: I was into you for at least two years before I forced myself to get over it.”
My chest cracks wide open as I lean forward, grip the front of his shirt in both hands, and haul him in so I can kiss him.
His hold tightens as he responds eagerly and spins us until my back presses against the car. I gasp when the cold metal cuts through my shirt and arch into him instead. A hand drops to myhip and tugs, urging me forward until the only point of contact I have with the door is my shoulders.
“So, is that a yes to making out?” he asks, grinning against my lips.
I curl my leg behind his knee and pull back just enough that I can run my tongue along his bottom lip, tasting the lemonade. Inhaling his cologne, I let his low groan run hot fingers down my body.
“Only if you promise to fog the windows.”
30
We’rethe last of the group to make it to the arena.
As I usher Aubrey in front of me, I keep a steady hand on her waist, not ready to let her go yet. Even after spending the last hour in my car with her body straddling mine and our lips moving together until they grew sore and swollen, I want more. Being here, a minute away from our closest friends noticing our arrival and hounding us with questions, still isn’t enough to get my dick to soften.
Pausing just inside the suite entrance, Aubrey turns to look at me over her shoulder. With her lips pursed, she looks adorably nervous. I tighten my hold, urging her to stand against my chest.
“What are you thinking about?” I murmur.
“Do you want to tell them?”
My heart swells in time with the music that pours from the stage, the opener already performing. “About which part? I’m pretty positive they’ll notice the moment we step out of the shadows.”
“Brielle knows. About the date,” she reveals, eyeing me cautiously like she’s half expecting me to get mad.
“So does Wes.”
Her features soften a bit. “Alright. And the rest?”
“If Wes hasn’t blabbed already, we can keep it to ourselves if that’s what you want.”
“I don’t want to hide anything,” she whispers, lifting a hand to stroke the collar of my shirt. “Not from our friends. They’re family.”
I lean down and drop my forehead to hers, inhaling a gruff breath. “I love hearing you say that.”
