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Darius’s mouth twitched.

“And now you’re laughing at me, Dingle Fart!”

“No.” He shook his head.

“Dee.”

“Maybe a little.”

I covered my face. “Oh my God. I lasted at least a solid five minutes, and that’s enough to not be laughed at, okay?” His hands came to my hips again and I stopped breathing. “Nope. I’m moving countries if you say I tasted bad, Darius…”

“You tasted… incredible.”

Hmmm.

I leaned down to where Darius was still kneeling on the floor. The bite of the tile stung but not as bad as his rejection would. “I made funny noises.”

His smile widened as he watched me move next to him. “You did. But I liked them.”

“You really think I tasted good?” I was too close to back off now. If he pulled away, it was all I could do to not die on the spot.

“Yes,” he replied very matter-of-fact.

Was Darius leaning in?

“Then maybe…” I shifted a little closer, my lips just brushing his. “I should try it.”

He allowed me to slip my tongue out and slide it along his bottom lip. It was salty and reminded me of chlorine water. But, meh, I’d think about that later. Darius didn’t move.

“Dee?” I asked him.

He answered with his eyes and closed the gap. Taking my fill of his cum-coated lips was a euphoria I never dreamed I’d have. But here I was, basking in post-nut clarity in a very warm and light way.

“I hate you.” I laughed when he pinched my nipple and we both fell backwards.

“No, you don’t.”

“No,” I whispered. “I could never hate you, Dee.”

CHAPTER 24

Iwoke up before Alvin’s alarm started blaring and immediately wished I hadn’t.

For a few seconds, I lay perfectly still, staring at the dark wood ceiling while the cabin settled around me. The bed creaked. And a bird made one lonely, obnoxious chirp outside the window before going quiet again.

I pictured it without having to try. Alvin’s knees buckling. His hand in my hair. The way he’d looked at me afterwards, like I was something precious instead of the worst decision he’d ever made.

I sat up too quickly. The mattress groaned under my ass, and I froze. Alvin was still asleep beside me, one arm thrown over his face. His mouth slightly open. His hair stuck up in every direction, and the blanket twisted around his legs.

He looked peaceful. I didn’t deserve peaceful.

I swung my feet onto the floor and threw my clothes on without bothering to turn on the light first. I moved carefully, avoiding the loose board near the door and the pile of shoes Alvin had abandoned in the middle of the room when he couldn’t decide which color of sneakers matched his shirt best the day prior.

My fingers were on the doorknob when he shifted on the bed. I stopped breathing.

“Dee?” he called out.

“Go back to sleep,” I whispered.