“Contrary to what some people believe, sex doesn’t always lead to a romantic relationship. It was a one-time thing.”
“But… you were kissing. I saw it.”
“Weweren’tkissing. Our faces were just… really, really close.”
Her confusion is adorable. My little romantic can’t understand why we haven’t rushed to the altar already.
I launch into the story, leaving out some of my more… confusing reactions.
When I’m done, her eyes are sad. “Quinn, you have to tell him how you feel.”
“I didn’t say I had feelings for him. I said I enjoyed sleeping with him.”
She levels me with a flat stare. “I’ve seen you with dozens of people?—”
“Dozens seems a bit much, doesn’t it,” I mutter.
She rolls her eyes. “You know what I mean. I’ve seen you in relationships—even if I’d hardly call them that—hookups, and one-night stands, but I’ve never seen you like this.”
“Like what?”
“Scared.”
The word clangs through me. I’m not scared. I’m fucking terrified. The sex was incredible, but what if everything’s different now? What if we get awkward around each other and slowly drift apart? No more sarcastic comments and dimpled smiles. No more baking pumpkin pie with Gerry on Thanksgiving and no waking him up on Christmas morning.
I’ve cared about the other friends I’ve hooked up with, but I’ve never loved one of them before, not like I love Colton. Platonically, of course.That’sthe deeper emotion Inez is reading.
But his words,come to my room,repeat in my mind the entire walk home,and I’m helpless against the urge to knock on his door. This is probably a terrible idea, but I’m just self-destructive enough to want to see how it will play out.
A half second later, it swings open. Colton’s on the other side, his face surprised but hopeful.
“One more time,” I say.
“Yes,” he breathes out, relief and hunger on his face. His hand closes around my arm, tugging me inside and pushing me againstthe door before it fully closes. He devours me, and I fall head first into the kiss. This is what I need. Hot and hard. None of the emotional bullshit Inez was spouting.
I move down his neck, nipping at the skin, and Colton’s low groan feels like a caress between my thighs.
“Y’all were gone for a while. Did you eat?” he forces out. “We could go get dinner first if you’re hungry. Or gelato, maybe?”
I don’t need anything approaching a date right now. I need to focus on what this is. Two people with an overwhelming attraction having fun on sort-of-vacation.
I push him back a step and kneel before him. “I can think of something I’d like to lick more than gelato.”
His eyes roll into the back of his head as I free him from his pants, running my tongue along the underside of his shaft. I take him in my mouth, twirling my tongue around the tip as Colton softly brushes my hair back from my face and murmurs praise.
My chest tightens. If our friendship’s going to survive crossing this line again, I need to make sure I don’t mistake consideration for affection, so I take his hand and weave it into my hair, tugging on the strands to show him what I want. What I need.
“Fuck, Quinn.”
He releases my hair for a second to rip his shirt over his head, then gathers it back, using his tight grip to keep it out of the way, and I take him deeper until his cock hits the back of my throat. His other hand sweeps over my cheek and down my neck, tightening around the back in a greedy, possessive grip.
“You’re so pretty like this. I fucking love you on your knees for me.”
I relax, taking him another inch, and a surge of satisfaction bursts through me when his palm comes down hard on the door like he needs the extra support.
My hands grip his ass while my head bobs, and I let my nailsbite into the flesh. His hips jerk at the sting, pushing him deeper. I moan, and Colton’s gaze blazes into mine.
“Is that what you want, Chaos? You want me to fuck your sweet mouth?”
