He smiles. “It’s true. I mean, I like who I am, but I know I need to grow up a little.”
“Takes time. You’re younger than me. Besides, you’re rubbing off on me a little too. I’m having a blast going out with you guys. I was long overdue to blow off some steam.”
Gen’s eyes widen. “Does this make us friends?”
I laugh. “It does.”
“Good. I need more friends like you.”
“Same.”
We twist around when the other guys enter the room. It’s nearing closing time, so I look over the cake to make sure it’s done.
“Wells is here to pick up their cake,” Tate says.
“All done. Let me box it.”
I grab the box, folding it and carefully placing the cake in it. When I look up, Cairo and Tate are staring at me.
“Okay,” Cairo says. “I’ll ask. Where the fuck did you get the hickey?”
I swallow hard, but Gen jumps into action. “I already beat it out of him, boys. He and Jude had a little drunk make-out sesh Saturday night.”
A smile pulls at my lips. “Yep.”
“Nice,” Cairo says.
“I like it,” Tate says, grabbing the box to take up front.
“I gotta run,” Cairo says. “I’m having dinner with my sister.”
“Have a good night,” I say. Once he’s gone, I hug Genesis. “Thanks for having my back on that.”
Gen smiles and winks. “That’s what friends are for, boo.”
Jude
Velvet is even more fun than Tru was. Surrounded by all of Briar’s friends and some of the guys from the shop, I smile as my eyes shift over everyone. This club is posh, as Gen calls it, all white walls and black velvet with lots of up-lighting. It’s sexy in here. We got here just in time to snag this area when another group was leaving.
Casper and Saint have been talking in the corner of the couch for a long time. Maybe Casper will get a shot at his dream man. My eyes move to Briar, giggling and talking with Tate and Genesis. Sam and Luca lean over the couch, listening to the conversation.
I don’t know how many drinks I’ve had, but I know the only thing I want after this is to hold Briar in my arms again. He’s so adorable. When did he go from being kind of quiet and understated to the guy wearing a tight black t-shirt and yellow pants, drinking, and grinding me on the dance floor?
After a few minutes of watching him, I grab his wrist and pull him into my lap. My hand moves under his shirt, making contact with his warm skin.
His eyes soften as he gazes down at me. “Everything okay, TT?”
I chuckle, focusing on his mouth. “Sure is, sugar boo. Can I kiss you?”
He nods, and I stretch my neck to meet his lips. It’s a tame kiss, not at all what I want to give him, but I break it when I realize we’re surrounded by people. Some of those people work for me and have no idea what’s been happening. The feeling of shame makes me feel like shit. Is it shame that I’m hiding him or shame that I’m kissing him?
My thoughts are interrupted as Briar holds my gaze. His lips are damp from my kiss. God, he’s beautiful. Somewhere along the way he stopped being my buddy Briar and turned into a man I want to touch and kiss and—
“You sure you're okay?” he asks.
I nod. “I’ve had a lot to drink.”
“Want to go home?”
“Probably should, yeah. You’re having fun though.”
He plays with my hair. “I’d always rather go where you’re going.”
“You mean that?”
“Emphatically.”
“That’s a big word, Bri.”
He laughs softly. “Let’s go.”
I stand behind him as he explains we’re leaving. Gen smiles, patting my hand in a way that tells me he knows something I don’t. Saint and Casper barely break their conversation to say goodbye. Finally, we’re outside waiting for the car Briar called. I keep him close, my hand entwined with his.
When we make it home, Briar helps me to my room. Fuck, I drank way too much.
“I’ll help you get undressed. You need to sleep it off.”
I nod. “Thanks, sugar boo.”
Briar chuckles as he kneels, helping me get my too-tight jeans off while I balance my hands on his shoulders. I’m giggling like a child from the silliness of this moment. Either that or I had way too many of the shots Gen kept handing to me.
Finally, Briar gets my pants off and stands, pulling my shirt over my head. I poke him in the chest, then grab the hem of his shirt and pull it off, displacing his glasses. I laugh as he puts them back in place, shaking his head at me. I tickle him until we hit the bed, literally falling into a puddle of laughter.
“Take your jeans off too. No fair, I'm the only naked one.”
“You’re not naked, Jude. You have your underwear on.”
I poke his arm. “Do you have your underwear on?”
“Under my jeans.”
“You should show me.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m your fiancé.” I laugh even harder. “I would totally marry you.”
Briar scoffs. “You are clearly very drunk.”
“It’s true.” I roll over so I’m hovering over him. Our eyes meet and the longing in his sobers me up like a strong pot of coffee. “I think you’re great, Bri.”
He studies me, not saying anything as he nibbles on his bottom lip. I brush his hair off his forehead.
“Do you think I’m great?”
He nods. “Yeah. I do, Jude.”
“Should we kiss again? For practice.”
“No. You’re drunk. We should just sleep now.”
“I’m not as drunk as you think.” I search his eyes, suddenly very aware of what I need right now. “The wedding is next weekend.”
“It is.”
“So?” I tilt my head. “Practice?” I lean forward and when his lips part, I go for it, tasting the sweetness of his mouth. He’s tentative, as he always is, and my mind wanders to what it would feel like to kiss a Briar who wasn’t holding back. He opens up to me, and I lick his mouth, pressing my side into him, my hand roaming across his chest. I want to move it lower. I want to touch him again, but I feel him tense beneath me. I’m not sure what to think about my urgent and constant desire to touch him, to kiss him, but it’s definitely there. All the damn time. I lift up, smiling down at him, until a smile pulls at his lips.
“You’re a good kisser, Jude.”
“So are you.” Time to take my shot. “I want more, Bri.”
His eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”
“I want to fuck.”
His eyes widen. “Definitely drunk. Time for you to go to sleep.”
“Does it bother you that I want you?”
“You’re just…curious. It certainly adds some realism to our little…game. I know it doesn’t mean anything.”
His words cause a prickly feeling in me. “I don’t think it doesn’t mean anything. I enjoy it. I like doing things with you.”
“I like it too, but…”
“I want to touch you again, Bri. I want to feel you in my hand.”