“It was more than nice the first time, sweetheart.”
I press my lips together as he winks and reaches out, gripping where my shoulders are hidden under the fluffy comforter, and lifts. I squeal but hold the blanket tight as he sets me to my feet.
“Atta girl. Let’s get ya off your ass.”
“Thank you,” I say sweetly, eyes shifting to Nate as he holds up a bag of McDonald’s. “Yes!” I draw out, shuffling toward it like a clumsy penguin.
I rock my head back and forth because my hair is stuck inside the blanket before stopping in front of Nate.
“You are a lifesaver. Seriously. I’m starving. I was promised lunch, but seems my ball and chain’s already set on disappointing me.”
I jerk my head toward the bed, where TJ is now sitting, and Nate’s eyes follow.
“You should let us make it up to you. We never disappoint.”
Oh, hello.
Nate grins and winks at me, whispering, “It’s true,” before slipping his hand around the back of my neck, adding, “Let me,” as he pulls my hair free.
Oh, man. As if one of these charmers wasn’t enough. The way these two fuckers seem to tag team everything makes my skin heat. I let out a quiet half laugh before I bite my lip.
I’m about to say something when Crew clears his throat from behind Nate. And it’s not the kind people do because they have something clogging it. No, it’s the excuse me, I’m here kind.
My teeth immediately find the inside of my cheek to stop myself from smiling. Mainly because Nate doesn’t move as he stares down at me with mischief in his eyes. I like him. But before I can tell him that, Nate gives and takes a step away, clearing the doorway.
I shift my head, and all I see is Crew.
Fuck. Me.
The not-love of my life is seated on the arm of the couch…shirtless…and in gray sweats. When did he get those? He must’ve snuck into the room while I was in the shower.
Good god. And I mean that.
Because there has to be one. I believe now.
Only someone who created miracles could think I was making it out of this moment without breaking all ten of the ’ments.
My eyes peruse his body. Shamelessly.
If I could stop them, I would. But…for fuck’s sake…he has that v thing that disappears into his sweats like it’s pointing to buried treasure. I remembered it, but in person, the drunk memory didn’t do it justice. And he has a six-pack when he’s sitting. Nobody has a six-pack when they’re sitting.
He’s perfect… I hate him. I hope he gets the stomach flu. After we fuck.
No. Goddammit. Keep your legs closed for the sisterhood, ho.
Crew brings a hand to his chest, rubbing it, and I feel my mouth water like my body’s actually embarrassed that I’m this thirsty.
I wonder if all girls are this horny? There’s got to be medication for this. Like the anti-Viagra or whatever the equivalent is for women. I roll my eyes at myself, going for snarky as I look at him, trying to hide the bang me leaking from my pores.
“Gray sweatpants…really?”
Crew smirks as I continue. “You’re a filthy whore. Put some clothes on.”
I did not hide anything.
A voice from behind him makes my eyes pop open wide.
“I told you she wouldn’t fall for it. Nice try though. But my bestie isn’t caving.”
“Millie,” I shriek, jumping up and down and almost dropping my bag of Mickey D’s as she laughs.
Crew’s eyes stay on me. And for the first time in the last hour, I smile at him before tugging my blanket tighter.
I can’t help it. He lost, and I won this round. Cha-ching.
He bends down to grab my bag, the one I didn’t even notice, before he stands and walks toward us, but Nate blocks the doorway, crossing his arms as he leans against the frame.
“Do I have you to thank for bringing my friend?” I all but purr.
He nods slowly, eyes on mine. TJ comes up behind me and whispers in my ear.
“You can thank Nate first…or both of us at the same time if you’d like.”
I don’t know if there’s such a thing as being dickmotized, but I think I’m that. These two don’t give a girl time to think straight. I’m already being tag teamed while our clothes are on…or theirs are, at least. My teeth find my lip before Crew jerks Nate backward, making me laugh.
“Go get dressed,” he grinds out, setting my duffel at my feet as Nate chuckles, holding up his hands before turning and walking toward the couches.
But Crew doesn’t move, eyes only ticking to TJ before my Southern Tweedle says, “Fun’s over.”
TJ touches my blanket-covered waist to gently push me aside before joining Nate.
But Crew hovers over me, a smile peeking out. We’re just standing there staring at each other, and it feels a little like déjà vu. I’m already instantly flustered when he’s this close, but now with him shirtless…it’s having an effect…everywhere.
He takes a deep breath, and the dirtiest thought soaks my mind. The idea that he could smell me, like know how turned on I am right now, exactly the way the guys in all the romance books I read do. Because this pussy is wet and throbbing just enough to remind me that not fucking him is a hardship.
Crew lifts his hand, dipping his fingers inside the collar of my blanket, and my breath catches. He grins, pausing only for a moment before he slowly pulls it open…just enough so he can peer down.
My entire goddamn body is burnt to a crisp. I’ve already gone up in flames. Now I’m cooked. It’s the way he’s smirking, daring me to stop him…it’s the way I don’t, in fact, stop him as we sexually double-dog dare each other.
“Are you trying to torture yourself?” I whisper, hidden in our bubble. “Because do not forget that everything underneath this blanket is for looking and not touching.”
He licks his bottom lip before pressing his fingers under my chin, forcing it up, our eyes locked.
“Wild Card, no more flirting with the bench. I’m the starting fucking lineup.”
thirteen
“That’s a good fucking girl. Now, let me clean you up.”
eleanor
The coffee cup warms my hand as I hold it and stare out the penthouse windows. It’s so wild that Crew lives in a hotel. The perk, though, is that late last night, after much drama, Millie and I had an array of desserts delivered to top off our sleepover.
I lift my coffee, blowing on it before I take a sip, letting the caffeine seep into my system and bring me back to life. Truth is, I was up really late, not just because Millie and I were reliving our middle school sleepover days by bouncing on beds and having dance parties…yes, we did that. But only after I texted my boss, just barely keeping my job. And also called my parents.
That call sucked. Which is why dessert was ordered.
Nothing kills the pang of knowing you disappointed the people you love like chocolate tiramisu. Thankfully, my sister swooped in with a follow-up call to them and saved the day.
It’s all fun and games, kids, until you drunk-marry a stranger.
Speaking of said stranger, Crew left about an hour ago. Apparently, he works out every day, sometimes twice a day. The idea not only sounds terrible, but I’m convinced that it is actually terrible. And I’d said as much when I found him this morning engaged in a live-action thirst trap.