wasn’t for him…ugh.” Her face goes from annoyed to serene as she tells us about their last date together.
Penelope arrives next, her hair up in a messy bun. A pencil sits behind her ear, and Ryker is beside her, his arm across her shoulders. He gives her a kiss and heads off in the other direction toward the burger place across from us.
She sits down, a bemused expression on her face.
“Love is wonderful, huh?” I say.
A slow grin takes over her face, slow and soft. “Yeah.”
The sound of laugher comes from the eatery across the way, and my eyes are drawn there.
I find Blaze, Dillon, and Ryker sitting at a table together. Speaking of trifectas, they could be movie stars out for lunch with all the hotness they’re throwing off.
I study Blaze while he isn’t looking. We avoided each other in class today…mostly. Hard to do when his body is right next to mine.
I tried to look at his bell responses several times, but he kept his paper hidden from me.
I didn’t mention the party. Neither did he.
We get our pizza and dig in, but my gaze keeps slipping over to their side of the room.
Their table has been overrun with jersey chasers, and some random has her hand on Blaze’s chest while laughing at something he’s saying. Most of them avoid Ryker. They know he’s with Penelope, and he doesn’t put up with it.
I wonder if Blaze would be like that if he had a girlfriend. Ah, but football is always first. Explains why he’s never had a real one. Oh, I know—I’ve asked Ryker.
My gaze goes back to him, tracing his profile, that sexy smile.
A dull thudding starts behind my eyes, and I wince and furrow my brow. I relax my face to relieve the tension, but the pressure doesn’t subside. Dammit. I don’t have time for a migraine right now. I’ve got too much to do. Homework, checking in with some design firms—
My phone pings with a text.
Hey. I see you.
Blaze. My heart rattles around in my chest. Just leave me alone, I want to shout.
But, I can’t resist responding.
I see you too. And the harem. The words smack of bitterness, and I immediately regret sending them.
It’s like background noise. What’s your favorite color?
Okaayyy. I’ll bite.
Black. It’s slimming.
STFU. You don’t need “slimming”.
What’s your fav color?
Red. Color of passion. I’m a passionate guy.
Oh, don’t I know it.
Since we’re friends now, may I ask a personal question? he writes.
My mouth flattens. Friends who dance and have sexy times? Plus, we aren’t even acknowledging what happened.
Yet…
Isn’t that my usual? I don’t want to dig too deep because it might hurt.
I exhale and type. Aren’t you missing out on time with your friends?
I glance up and see his head is bent over his phone, an intent expression on his face. He really isn’t paying attention to anyone around him.
No. Question: what’s your favorite sexual position? I mean, as a FRIEND, I would like to know. Just for clarity’s sake, he sends.
WTH. My heart skips a beat, and my face feels hot. I dart my eyes around the group I’m with, but no one seems to notice I’ve been sucked into a sexting convo.
You aren’t responding. Did I go too far? Can’t FRIENDS talk about this stuff?
My hands clench my phone. I don’t know.
I’ll go first. Mine is lying side by side, looking in her eyes while I fuck her real slow. Her leg is hitched around my hip and my hands are on her ass, doing all the work. She’s saying my name. And when I kiss her ON HER MOUTH, she comes, her pussy squeezing my dick until I can’t resist and come with her.
I nearly hurl the phone across the room. Oh, he went there. He went there. He’s talking about me and my rules. I stare down at his words, my skin tingling as I squirm in my seat. Damn him and his dirty mind.
Now you go.
I can’t think. My head is filled with images of us and I want him—
Panic sets in as I stare down at his text. My legs cross and uncross.
Charisma. Your turn.
My head looks up, and he’s staring at me. I drop his gaze and focus back on my phone. I’m not a game for you to play, Blaze.
I know. I’m not playing. I want to know. Tell me, do you like public places for sex? Like a masquerade party? I think you do.