“She gave me an ultimatum. If I don’t go to Texas Tech, she’s not interested in me anymore.”
“What about Jenny?” Stone asked. “You fuck her?”
“Hell no. She’s Chelsea’s best friend. I’m not a complete asshole.”
“So what happened?”
“I flirted with her. Figured it would get back to Chelsea, and she’d have a reason to dump me without feelin’ bad about it.”
Stone continued to stare. “Youwanther to break up with you.”
“It’s what’s best for her.” Some of his frustration drained out. “Above all else, we’re friends. It’s easier for her to hate me now than to lose that.”
“You two done? For good?”
Nico nodded. “It’s been over for a while. This just makes it official.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
Stone smirked. “Because I said so.”
“Where’s Stevie?” Nico asked, more so to remind Stone that whatever was happening here shouldn’t be happening.
“Where do you want her to be?” Stone taunted.
He felt a rush of unexpected heat as he stood there, pinned between Stone and his truck. He wasn’t sure what the hell was happening or why he wasn’t fighting Stone off. He couldn’t move because he was mesmerized by the gleam in Stone’s eyes.
For as long as he’d known Stone Jameson, Nico’d had a crush on the guy. Not the gay kind because … well, because he didn’t swing that way. At least he didn’t think he did. There’d been a few moments of confusion these past couple of years, but nothing Nico couldn’t shove down deep and ignore.
But he wouldn’t deny he was completely enthralled with Stone. Nico wanted tobehim. The guy everyone wanted to be friends with. The guy the chicks wanted to be with, even though until recently, Stone had never let anyone stake a claim on him. Nico remembered his first day of ninth grade. Stone had been a junior that year, and there was no disputing he was the big man on campus. Even the seniors gravitated toward him. That entire year, Nico had attempted to emulate the guy. It hadn’t worked, but it had gotten him on Chelsea’s radar.
Not much had changed. Stone was still wild, untamable and Nico still admired that in him. He even admired the fact that Stone had succumbed to Stevie Shepherd’s charms, turning over a new leaf. Not that Nico was thrilled with the idea of his sister’s best friend hooking up with Stone Jameson. Those two were like oil and water, incompatible in every way. Yet, somehow, they’d managed to ride it out for nine or ten months already.
A soft groan rumbled in Stone’s chest. The next thing Nico knew, Stone kicked his feet apart, moving closer. Closer still. The firm grip on his throat remained a steady pressure, reminding him that he wasn’t in control here.
Not that Nico was a lightweight. He wasn’t. His brain, however, didn’t seem to be aware of that as he surrendered to the dominance.
Stone leaned in, eliminating the gap between their bodies. Nico was shocked by the heat of the man against him. The rock-hard plane of his chest, the steel in his thighs.
Instinct had him looking over his shoulder, attempting to make sure Chelsea wasn’t watching them.
“She can’t see us.”
He hoped not. The last thing he needed was Chelsea thinking he’d done something to provoke this.
“Push me away, Nico,” Stone insisted, taunting him again.
His brain flickered with the instruction, and his hands moved to Stone’s hips, gripping as though he might do just that. Only he didn’t push.
Stone’s voice lowered. “That’s all you hafta do. Push. Me. Away.”
His warm breath fanned Nico’s lips, and again, he was locked in a trance, completely at this man’s mercy.
Stone tilted his head, leaning closer until their lips were so close Nico could feel the whisper-softness when Stone spoke.
“Say no, Nico.”
