He smirks. “Are you complaining?”
“Not even a little.”
As I go to walk out, he grabs my hand. I turn back to face him, confused, when he pulls me into him. With a gentle touch on my cheek, he presses his lips to mine in a soft, innocent kiss. It’s the first time he’s kissed me first without the intentions of it going further, and my heart stutters because of it.
“What was that for?”
He shrugs and releases me, stepping back. “Just really wanted to kiss you. Now go, I’ll see you in class.”
FOR THE REST OF the day, my mind is clouded with thoughts of Grayson. Ever since the weekend we spent alone at his house, things have been different between us. There are still moments where I see the darkness brewing in his eyes—when he looks at me like I’m Satan reincarnated—but they’re few and far between.
Despite how close we’ve grown lately, he’s always made sure I know that we’re just fooling around. It hurt the first couple times, but eventually, I became numb to it. That part of our relationship has never faltered, but today, with the way he kissed me before I left the janitor’s closet, I can’t help but hope that maybe he’s starting to come around.
I’d be lying if I said I haven’t developed feelings for Grayson. Strong feelings. The kind that keep you awake at night. That make you want to rip your heart straight from your chest and throw it at their feet. I’ve never let myself acknowledge them, in fear that the pain of unrequited love might rip me to shreds, but they are there—simmering under the surface and threatening to break free.
I STORM OUT OF the house, slamming the door behind me. I’d rather wait on the porch in the cold than deal with my drunken father for another minute. From the second I came home today, he’s been on my ass, from asking me for money to accusing me of stealing his drugs. I can’t handle him. Thankfully, tonight I’m going to a party and then spending the night at Grayson’s.
As if my night couldn’t get any more frustrating, I’m scrolling through my phone when an irritating voice meets my ears.
“Do you have my money yet?” Trey asks.
I roll my eyes and turn to face him. “When are you going to get it through your head? I don’t have any money, and Grayson sure as hell isn’t going to give it to you. I don’t know what else I can say to make you understand.”
“Well, you better start giving me something or spreading your legs, because otherwise, I have no reason not to tell everyone that your riches are actually rags in disguise.”
Getting fed up, I decide to call his bluff. “You know what? Fine. Go tell everyone. Shout it from the damn rooftops for all I care. See how that goes for you.” I stand up and get in his face. “No one is going to believe you. Especially not when I tell them you’re just a bitter little sophomore who couldn’t take no for an answer.”
In perfect timing, Grayson pulls up with Delaney in the back seat. I shove past Trey as I walk toward the car. As soon as I get in, Gray is glaring at Trey, looking like he’s ready to rip him limb to limb.
“What was that about?” he asks.
I shake my head and buckle my seatbelt. “Nothing I can’t handle. Let’s go.”
THE PARTY IS INTENSE, with girls in skimpy dresses passing around Jell-O shots and tubes of alcohol. I take one and roll my eyes as she walks away. Leave it to Jace to not only hire waitresses, but make them wear clothing that barely covers their vaginas.
“I just don’t understand why they couldn’t be dressed in something a little less revealing.”
Carter shushes me, pressing his finger to my lips. “If you love me at all, you won’t ruin this for me.”
We all laugh at his antics. It’s no secret that he’s already buzzed, having been drinking since before anyone got here. Jace always complains that he comes over under the guise of helping set up, but ends up staying by the keg the whole time.
“Laney,” he slurs. “My dear Saint Delaney, are you sure you don’t want a drink?”
She shakes her head. “I’m good, Carter. Thanks anyway.”
He sighs. “Well, then, how about a lap dance instead?”
Practically choking on air, her eyes widen. “Uh, I um…”
“How about you give me one instead, big boy?” Grayson jumps to her rescue like a knight in shining armor.
Carter frowns, mumbling something about not being gay under his breath before walking away to go find more booze. I watch him carefully before turning to Jace.
“Shouldn’t you stop him?”
He grins and shakes his head. “We’ve been giving him colored water for the past hour and making him think they’re shots. He’ll sober up soon.”
HALFWAY THROUGH THE PARTY, I’m finally starting to relax. After the argument with my dad, and then having to deal with Trey on top of it, I’m grateful for the chance to let loose. Tomorrow I’m sure I’ll have to figure out what I’m going to do about the pain in my ass that won’t seem to go away, but tonight is mine.
I’m standing across the room when Grayson waves me over.
“Lay on the bar, beautiful,” he says, complimenting me in front of everyone for the first time. “We’re doing body shots.”
It’s dangerous and risky. I know if we have any desire to keep things private between us, I should run in the other direction, but with the way he’s looking at me, I can’t resist. I let him lift me onto the hardwood and lay back. He raises my shirt and tucks it under my bra. The level of comfort between us doesn’t go unnoticed as Jace spikes his full cup of beer on the floor.
“I fucking knew it!”
Carter laughs as Delaney looks at Jace like he’s gone mad. “Knew what?”
“That they’ve been hooking up!” He turns to us. “I called that shit months ago, but you two denied it so hard!”
Grayson makes no move to deny it, but the conversation of us going public with whatever this is needs to be had in private—with none of our friends inserting their opinions.
“Because I let him lift up my shirt? It’s body shots, not a damn marriage proposal.”
He remains unconvinced, but my attention is pulled from him as Grayson licks a stripe across my neck and sprinkles salt on it. Placing the lime between my lips, he pours the shot into my belly button—immediately slurping it back up. He licks the salt from my neck before taking the lime from my mouth. It’s hot, erotic, and has my every nerve ending on fire.
With his help, I hop down and turn to him. “All right, hotshot, my turn.”
He smirks as he pulls his shirt over his head and climbs onto the bar. “Do your worst.”
Never having done one before, I repeat his actions, and as I take the lime from his mouth, he looks shocked that I was daring enough to do it at all. Once everyone goes back to doing their own thing, and the attention is no longer on us, he brings his lips to my ear.
“That was so fucking hot.”
The sexual chemistry between us has always been explosive, but with alcohol, it’s worse. Before we end up all over each other in front of everyone, I grab Delaney and go to join Becca and Paige on the dance floor. As my body moves to the beat of the song, it reminds me that I need to get back in the studio. Brady has yet to return any of my calls, but the recital is only a week away. I didn’t want to ambush him into talking to me, but I will if I need to.