His lips twisted, but he didn’t respond straight away; he just slowly raised the beer he held to his lips and finished off the contents. As he lowered it, he wiped a hand over his mouth. Even that looked sexually suggestive. It drew my attention to his lips, and I thought about how they had felt over mine. There were loads of girls around the Sawyer boys, all vying for their attention.
With our eyes locked together and neither of us giving much away, I watched as he uncurled his large body and placed the empty bottle on the coffee table in front of where Micah was sitting. It was then that I sawher. Tate Parker.
The cheerleader had been half hidden by the bulk of his body and a wing-backed chesterfield. She was dressed in what looked like leather hot pants and a bikini top. Tate was talking in an over-animated way with the biggest of the brothers, Phoenix. aka Nix. I stared as Hudson turned to whisper something in her ear, and she gave him one of those sexy smiles she used on most guys at school. It felt like a punch to the gut as she cupped his face and planted a kiss on his mouth. Her eyes closed, but his remained open and on me. Almost like he wanted to rub my nose in it. And to think I had let him kiss me. I hated how she giggled when she pulled back and wiped his lips with a taloned thumb, removing any trace of her lipstick.
Why was I so obsessed with a boy who had been nothing but mean towards me?
Because he’s the best kiss you’ve ever had, and he intrigues you.
I turned away and pretended to listen to what Aaron, another boy in our group, was saying. I had seen him around school, his head was always in a football strategy book. My eyes scanned the crowd for Harper and Nick. Where the hell were they? I could have done with some backup right then.
As Aaron started talking about Apple watches of all things, I sensed a looming presence beside me.
FOURTEEN
“Thanks for keeping her warm for me,” Hudson shouted over the music.
A fizz of pleasure swept through my body. Close up, he looked so fine. Strike that; better than fine.
Although both men were tall and well built, Hudson was huge and imposing. His presence was intense and almost suffocating, but I welcomed it wholeheartedly.
“Anytime,” Nash replied.
“Nice tee, man,” Hudson said with a nod. I turned to glance at Nash’s chest. I hadn’t noticed before, but his T-shirt said;Every time you masturbate, God kills a kitten. Nice.
“Thanks, it’s new,” Nash replied with a toothy grin. He then extended his chin toward me. “You should look after this one, bro.”
They then bumped fists.
“Oh, I intend to.”
They shared a look, and then Nash turned back towards his friends.
Hudson’s reply was full of sinful promises. It was spoken directly into my face.
I went rigid. Had Nash only been talking to me, so others wouldn’t? The question that circled my internal monologue was, why?
For a moment, we just stood there staring at each other as the noise of the party melted away.
Hudson scanned my bare shoulders before lifting his gaze to my face.
Watching him from beneath my lashes, I swallowed nervously, the need to yellWhere the hell have you beentunnelling its way toward the surface. My mouth opened, but before I could say anything, he took my free hand and tugged me along, clearly taking me back to his posse. I had to concentrate between keeping up with his stride and not spilling my drink.
This time, I didn’t need to push through the bodies of those dancing and standing around; they parted like the Red Sea; eat your heart out, Moses.
“Nice dress. Did you wear it for me?” he called over his shoulder.
A flare of annoyance scuttled through me at his arrogance. There was no apology or explanation for his absence. I bit back thescrew youthat wanted to push itself out there. I was giddy to be in his company again, but also wary.
Don’t let this boy treat you like shit.
As we approached the sofa where he had been leaning earlier, I straightened my neckline, suddenly feeling exposed.
Storm was over in the corner, talking with Reed. From her tight expression, she didn’t look happy.
Once Hudson got us back to the sofas, he turned and leaned against one, positioning me between his legs. He was still standing, but the crouched stance brought our heads closer together. His thighs looked amazing encased in dark denim.
“I didn’t know you’d be here, actually,” I replied tartly, poo-pooing his arrogant comment.
