around Allie. Her whole left side touched his body, and she felt something she’d never felt before. Chosen. David had chosen her over everyone, even Sasha. He wanted to be with her. He wanted to kiss her. She slid her arm around his waist, hugging him close, as if they’d been together forever.
“This is so great,” Allie heard herself say, and David chuckled, a deep sound that she could hear resonate in his chest.
“You’re easy to please.”
“Obviously, if she’s with you.” Julian laughed, leaning back on his elbow.
Sasha sat down beside Julian, drinking. “I think they make a nice couple.”
Allie loved the sound of that, feeling loose enough to speak her mind. “I’m glad Kyle’s not coming. I’m glad we’re not pranking him.”
“I’m not. He’s been pranking us.” Julian sat up, newly animated. “Didn’t you see the news? Kyle isn’t who he says he is. His father is a child molester, in prison for molesting his own patients. Little girls. Babies.”
“Are you kidding?” David took another swig from the bottle and passed it to Allie, who accepted it and took a slug.
Julian was saying, “Dude, for real. Gallagher isn’t even his real last name. It’s Hammond.”
Allie only half-listened. She didn’t care what they were talking about. She took another big gulp, then another. She wanted this buzz to last forever. She wanted to make out with David. She wanted to do whatever he wanted.
“I swear, it’s true.” Julian snorted. “He’s using an alias to hide his real identity. He’s a poser and now he’s busted. My mom can’t even believe they got into Brandywine Hunt. My dad will be so pissed.”
“Are you joking?” David leaned over, and Allie took another swig, then passed him the bottle and resettled her arms around him. He had an amazing body, a trim waist with no fat and real abs. She could feel how strong his back was under his shirt. She realized for the first time that backs were unbelievably sexy. She held him tight.
“It’s disgusting.” Sasha shook her head, holding her bottle. “He’s a disgusting liar, and his father is a pervert. He molested little girls in the hospital. Does it get worse than that? Gross!”
Allie didn’t pay attention, her brain fuzzed. She felt so relaxed and so good, warm against David, whose hand moved to stroke the bare skin of her thigh. His tennis calluses felt cool and manly, and it made her tingle all over. She wondered when they were going to start making out. She waited for him to kiss her.
David chuckled. “I thought my father was bad.”
“Same here!” Julian burst into rueful laughter.
“That’s nothing,” Allie heard herself say, but she didn’t want to think about her father now. She couldn’t think straight anyway. “My father’s worst of all.”
Sasha waved them off. “At least you see your parents. I’m never in the same time zone as mine.” She raised her bottle in a mock toast. “To Bonnie and Clyde, the mom and dad who Mom and Dad bought me.”
Suddenly David lowered his face to Allie’s, and his mouth was on her lips. She felt herself tilt her head back, not knowing how to kiss him because she’d never really kissed a boy, but she let it happen. His mouth was so soft and warm, and she felt his tongue flickering inside her mouth. She kissed him back, let her body do what came naturally. She breathed in his smell of spicy cologne, excited that he had put it on for her.
His hand slid up her thigh and under the hem of her dress. She didn’t stop him because she wanted it, too. She wanted to lose herself in this feeling, forgetting everything else. Nothing mattered but him and her. She felt like she was melting under his weight and warmth, and she loved being kissed and held by him. Happiness spread throughout her entire body.
Julian was making out with Sasha, lying on top of her on the ground, and Allie started to feel water dropping on her. She looked up from David’s arms, and all she could see was his handsome face, in front of inky branches swirling like shadowy spin art. A drop of water splashed on her cheek.
“Is it . . . raining?” Allie murmured, too buzzed to tell.
“Only drizzling. I’ll cover you.” David kissed her again, and Allie kissed him back, letting herself go, surrendering to the feeling. His hands were everywhere, up her dress and on her breasts, and Allie loved all of the sensations.