“I can do that.”
I close the distance and press my lips to hers. I’m not expecting the punch to my gut. I don’t stick my tongue into her mouth, but I do nip her lip.
I break the kiss as soon as I feel myself growing hard. She places her head against my chest and sighs. Then she starts to giggle.
“What’s so funny?”
“Before this summer, I’d never kissed a boy. Now I’ve kissed two.”
“In all fairness, we’re men.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do. Friends? I don’t want to confuse things. I know my kisses are magic.”
She laughs. “You’re now my new best friend. You’d do anything for him, so would I. I think he will need us to be close someday.”
“You will be his queen. It will always be my job to watch out for you, so I guess you’re right,” I laugh.
I throw my arm back around her shoulder and turn to look at Juliana. She’s no longer glaring at Oni. However, Rico is standing in the doorway, glaring at me with fire.
I clench my jaw and nod at him, telling him silently that I’ve only done my part. He nods back, but I know he’s still pissed. I might have to go a few rounds with him later.
“Mario?” Oni says beside me.
“What’s up?”
“Who’s that guy? He was at the club that night. He gives me this eerie vibe. Do you know him?”
I follow her line of vision to see who she’s talking about. There is a guy not far from Juliana who has his gaze trained on Oni. I don’t know him, but I’ll be watching him for the rest of the night.
She’s right, there is something off about him. When he moves to whisper into Juliana’s ear and she nods, I narrow my eyes at the two of them. I’m definitely going to keep an eye on him.
CHAPTER 19
My First
Oni
I lookacross the pool and find Rico talking to Ed, but his eyes are glued on me. I try not to smile, but I can’t help myself. Rico looks handsome in a black polo, khaki shorts, and high-top Air Force Ones.
It’s a good look on him. I watch as he licks his lips, then looks away to answer Al as he walks over and enters their conversation. My phone buzzes in my hand. I look at it to see a text from Rico.
Rico:My office. Head up there in five. I’ll be ten minutes behind you.
I turn to Mario, who’s been standing beside me, talking to Corey, one of Emilia’s friends. I smile at Mario and nod my head to let him know I’m heading inside. Emilia stops me just before I get to the door to enter the house.
“Where are you going? I know you’re not trying to skip out,” she says.
“Calm down. I’m just going to the bathroom. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Good, I have some friends I want you to meet.”
“Cool, I’ll be back. Save me a drink,” I say, pointing to the one in her hand.
Her eyes look glossy, like she might need to slow down soon. She smiles and downs the rest of her drink while wiggling her brows at me. I laugh at her and shake my head.
I catch a glance of Rico and note that Juliana is all in his face. He keeps his face expressionless, but I can see his eyes scanning. Rolling my eyes, I head into the house.
