Our Star-Crossed Kiss

by Piper Rayne

  He growls as he thrusts, pushing off his knees and toes, grinding into me with a delicious force. I gasp as the sensation sets my nerve endings on fire.

  “Fuck, Evan. You’re so beautiful. This is just how I thought it’d be all those years I imagined it.”

  I’m sorry. What? Years?

  But he doesn’t look chagrined. Is this like the “I love you” people say during sex that they don’t really mean? Lost in the moment and admitting things they don’t really believe?

  If he asked me point-blank, I’d never be able to fib and say I hadn’t thought of him either. In high school, I’d watch him in the halls and wonder what he’d do if things were different. If we were two strangers and not mortal enemies.

  “Jesus, you’re so wet.”

  I grip his shoulder blades to hold on as his body drives into me over and over again.

  “You feel amazing,” I say, not nearly as good at the dirty talk as he is.

  “I missed you. Your pussy is so tight I’m gonna come, so I really need you to go first.”

  I laugh, but he changes his position so that his pelvis grinds into my clit. As if he gave me some magic spell to make me come, every sensation stacks on top of the other and my entire body seizes, and I cry out.

  He doesn’t relent, hammering into me until one final push and a groan as he stills inside me. A drip of sweat falls between my breasts and the weight of Seth’s body falls on me.

  We lie there struggling to catch our breath for a moment. When he rolls off of me, I miss him immediately.

  “I’ll be right back.” He disappears into the bathroom then returns and moves the bedding so we can slide in.

  “I better go too,” I say and climb off the bed.

  I sit on the toilet and think about what just happened. There’s no coming back from this moment. And the worst thing is Seth Andrews just gave me two of the best orgasms I’ve ever had in my life.

  Once I finish my business then put on my pajamas that I left in here, I open the door to find Seth standing there in his boxers, his arms braced over the top of the door.

  “You okay?” He brushes my hair off my shoulder.

  I nod. “I’m good. It’s just sex, Seth. I wasn’t a virgin.” I dodge his gaze and duck under his arm. “I’m super tired though. I can’t wait to sleep in.”

  We get into bed and he lies on his back, kicking off his blankets. I lie on my side, facing away from him, because I’m certain he’ll see my feelings on my face if he sets eyes on me.

  The mattress shifts and I expect him to say he’s going to go out to the kitchen or something, but his arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me against him. “As my soon-to-be wife, you should know that I’m cuddler.”

  I giggle and his hand splays on my lower stomach, pulling my ass flush to his dick.

  “And if you feel a pole poking you in the morning, it’s just my morning wood. Feel free to do with it what you will.”

  “As in?”

  “As in mouth, pussy, even ass if you’re up for it.”

  I buck my ass into him. “Seriously, Seth.”

  He laughs and his arm tightens. Leave it to him to bring humor to an uncomfortable situation. He clears his throat. “Good night, Evan.”

  “’Night, Seth.”

  And soon my eyes grow too heavy and I succumb to sleep, determined not to worry about how what we did tonight might send our plan careening off course.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Seth

  * * *

  “Fuck! Where did you ever learn…” I grip Evan’s ponytail, holding her mouth on my dick. “Tell me you read an article…” My eyes betray me and close from the sheer agonizing pleasure of having Evan’s tongue twirling around my shaft as if she can’t get enough. “And you practiced on a cucumber or something.”

  I grip her hair. Every ab muscle I have clenches and my hips jut forward as I groan until my cum shoots down her throat. She’s a swallower, which I fucking love. She licks me clean and falls back to sit on her heels.

  “So?”

  Wiping her mouth, she rises to her feet. “What?”

  “Where’s your stash of vegetables you practice on?” I pretend to scour the area and she giggles, falling onto the bed.

  I zip up my pants. If we didn’t have to be at my parents’ in twenty minutes for dinner and if her dad wasn’t outside, I’d rock her world right now, even if I did just blow my load. But we’re noisy fuckers and the last thing I need is her dad stomping up the stairs and throwing me out the window.

  “I just have to finish this one inventory problem.” She puts on a pair of glasses and sits at the laptop on her small desk.

  I lie on her bed with my hands behind my head, completely relaxed. This friends-with-benefits thing is going well so far. “Bring those glasses to my house so we can play sexy librarian later.”

  She spins in her chair and waggles her eyebrows with them on.

  “Or how about you just strip naked right now and I’ll admire your body while you work?”

  “You’re incorrigible.” She throws a pen my way. I watch her and she must see me in the reflection of her computer because she says, “Take a picture, it will last longer.”

  “I’d fucking love to photograph you. The question is would you let me?”

  “I’m not sure I want pictures like that around. Plus, I don’t own any lingerie.”

  “You don’t need lingerie. The best photos I’ve taken only require sheets.” I slide up to the edge of the bed and grab the back of her chair, pulling her toward me. “Come on. God, I’d love to see you through my lens.”

  “Seth, I’m not like that. I’m not comfortable.”

  She’s crazy—half the time she’s the one stripping her clothes off these days. She’s even ridden my face and buried my face in her pussy. How is she self-conscious?

  “You are with me. I promise it would just be for us.”

  “Us?”

  I nod. “Well, photographer gets some rights.” I grin.

  “Uh-huh. I’ll think about it, okay?”

  I kiss her once before pushing her back to her desk. “Okay, but know it would just be me and you, and if you really don’t want me to have any copies, I’d honor your wishes.”

  She nods and doesn’t respond.

  The last week has been pretty fucking fantastic. I think maybe I get the whole relationship thing now. Especially when it’s Evan. I’ve dated women before, but it always came with a list of shit to do. Like going to chick flicks, eating at whatever restaurant they wanted to, picnics by the lake. Her telling me I wasn’t romantic enough and me only wanting the sex and nothing else.

  Which reminds me. “Frankie asked me to have you message her about that Thai restaurant we went to last night.”

  “Oh, okay. Did you tell her you hated it?” She laughs.

  True, it was her choice… my mind pauses. Last night, we went to the new Thai place because Evan wanted it. Then we went to the movies—again, her choice—and she was just saying we should go on a bike ride along the lake. Motherfucker, I’m in a relationship. Except I haven’t felt one ounce of unhappiness or dread while we’ve been doing all the stuff she likes.

  I watch her work for another few minutes. “We should probably get going soon.”

  “Just one more minute. I swear I’m not sure how my parents would figure this out without me putting it all in Excel for them.” Her fingers move across the keyboard and she clicks her mouse.

  I contemplate how it is that I’ve found myself in a relationship. True, officially it’s fake, but with the way I’ve been enjoying myself… no… I can’t be falling for her. It’s just our friendship being rekindled. And since we’re adults, we can mix in a few sexual favors here and there. Yeah, that’s definitely it.

  “You good?” Evan’s standing and looking at me. She folds her glasses and puts them in her purse as though she’s up for playing sexy librarian later. “You’re white as a ghost.”

  I look at her stan
ding at the end of the bed, waiting. God, she’s beautiful. “Yeah, I’m good. Let’s get going so we can leave my parents’ early and play a little. My books are overdue.” I grab her coat and hold it out for her.

  On the way down the stairs of her apartment, I spot both her parents’ cars in the driveway. Eli is throwing his football in the air. I move over and steal it from him and tell him to run out for a catch.

  Evan sits in the chair on the porch. Although it’s grown colder, us northerners tend to make the most of the outdoors as long as we can until we’re stuck inside all winter long.

  Eli misses the ball and he smacks the ground. “I always miss it.”

  “It’s okay, Eli,” Evan says.

  I glance back at her then at my watch. We have five or so minutes to spare. If we’re late, it’ll be okay.

  I jog across the yard over to where Eli stands and have him hold his hands in front of him. “Now, touch your thumbs and your pointer fingers.” I show him with my hands what I mean. “Spread the rest of your fingers wider. That’s right. Now hold up your hands so that your thumbs and pointer fingers make a triangle.”

  He does it, but I correct his positioning a little to make sure it’s right.

  “Now I’m going to throw it. As soon as the tip of the football lands in that triangle, close your hands together.”

  Eli smiles and I place the football in his hands for him to close them over the leather and get a feel for what I mean.

  “Yeah, just like that. You ready?”

  Eli nods and I take about five steps away. I toss it lightly, but Eli misses it.

  “Want to try again?” I ask.

  “Yeah. I almost got it that time.”

  I throw from the same spot and it hits in his hands this time, but he doesn’t close them fast enough. “Great. Now try to close your hands faster next time.”

  “Seth, honestly, we gotta get to your parents’,” Evan says.

  I hold up my finger to her. “Just a minute. Ready, Eli?”

  He nods and I throw the ball again. This time it’s right on the money and he catches it. Astonishment registers on his face and he smiles and yells, jumping up and down.

  “Okay. Now I’m going to step back a little more, okay?” I walk backward a few feet. “Ready?”

  He stays in place and holds up his hands. My aim is improving after a few throws now. It’s been a while since I’ve thrown a ball—except for Thanksgiving morning, and even then Trevor always claims quarterback. We were both quarterbacks in high school, but age over beauty and all that.

  “Seth?” Evan says, but I shake my head.

  “Again, Eli?”

  He nods and smiles, holding up his hands. I throw it and he misses it again.

  “My bad, horrible throw.” I pose with the ball in a throwing motion and Eli gets into position again.

  This time, Eli catches it.

  “Perfect. Perfect. Want to jog a little to the right and catch it on the run?”

  “Um… are you sure?” Evan asks, fiddling with her phone.

  “No belief in us,” I say and shake my head at her.

  She smiles and tucks her phone inside her purse and walks over to me, where she whispers in my ear, “You complete this pass to Eli, and I’ll be the bad schoolgirl who needs to do some extra credit.”

  And now my dick is hard. “Deal.”

  “Now go slow, Eli. No need to run fast,” Evan says.

  He starts walking almost. Once I get his pace, I throw the ball and squint until it lands between his hands. He catches it and tucks it into his side. Obviously someone has taught him that. My money’s on Mr. Erickson.

  Eli screams and runs toward me, jumping into my arms. I’m not prepared, and I fall to the ground, laughing and cheering with him. He jumps to his feet, cheering and raising his arm in the air. I sit on the ground and wrap my arms around my bent knees. His happiness is contagious.

  My gaze falls to Evan and her eyes aren’t locked on Eli—they’re on me. She mouths thank you, and I shake my head. There’s no need to thank me. I loved helping him. Then she offers me a hand to get up, but I pull her down to me and place my hands on either side of her face and kiss her.

  Eli jumps on us and we all laugh, rolling around on the hard ground. After I grunt from the weight of both Evan and Eli on me, we all stand. Evan’s still looking at me as though I just bought her ten puppies, but it’s the couple in the window who grabs my attention.

  Mr. Erickson scowls while Mrs. Erickson beams.

  At least I’ve won over one of them. Now I just need to work on the last one. With all the marketing for this Food Channel thing starting next week, Evan and I have our work cut out for ourselves because we never did take our businesses out of the show.

  A car’s squealing tires draws my vision to the driveway.

  Evan slides her arm through mine. “Prepare yourself.”

  Elsie comes out of a small Volkswagen and slams the door. She stomps toward us, her eyes narrowed.

  Eli cuts her off. “Seth taught me how to catch a football. Watch, Elsie.” He jumps in front of her face, throwing me the football.

  I fumble it and Evan steps away from me.

  “You ready?” I ask Eli, and he catches again on the run.

  “See, Elsie? I’ve been trying to get better and now I can catch. I can’t wait to play with Henry at school.”

  “That’s great, Eli.” She turns to me. “So you’re Seth, huh? My soon-to-be new brother-in-law?”

  I hold out my hand and Evan steps up next to me. “Be nice, Elsie.”

  “I’m being nice. But just so you both know.” She looks at the window where her parents are still watching. “You two are the ones being played.”

  “What?” Evan asks.

  “Elsie!” Mr. Erickson calls to his daughter.

  She moves to walk away but Evan pulls her back. We both lean forward.

  “What are you talking about?” Evan asks.

  “Meet me at the shop tomorrow around ten and I’ll explain everything.”

  Evan and I exchange a look as Elise stalks into the house.

  I high five Eli one more time before we leave. “Next lesson, you’re throwing.”

  His eyes light up.

  I link my hand with Evan’s, and we walk down the driveway to my car. I can tell we’re each preoccupied, trying to figure out what Elsie was talking about.

  What the hell are our parents up to now?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Evan

  * * *

  The Andrews’ house is the same except their kitchen has been remodeled since the last time I was here. It no longer has beige appliances and red countertops. But pictures of Trevor and Seth still line every inch of wall space. She’s got them at Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas. I can’t help but notice that Trevor has more pictures up than Seth.

  “Mom? Dad?” Seth calls, leading me from the back of the house to the front. “We’re here.”

  “Down here,” his mom calls from the basement.

  We walk down the basement stairs. I haven’t seen Mr. Andrews since that day a few weeks ago when he and my dad tried to confront us, and we flipped the script on them. But when we reach the bottom of the stairs, we find Mrs. Andrews standing alone by the door of the laundry room. I hear Mr. Andrews grumbling through the doorway beside the stairs. Apparently, they’ve finished off their basement since I was here last as well.

  “Hey, you two.” Mrs. Andrews hugs Seth, then her arms wrap around me. “I was just talking with your mom about the engagement party and she said you two were on your way over.”

  “Sorry we’re late,” I say and give Seth the stink-eye.

  “I was playing football with Eli,” he says.

  “That’s okay. We’re just trying to figure out something on the computer.” She smiles, but there’s a hitch in her voice that suggests it’s not going well. She motions to Seth. “Maybe you could go over and help your dad?”

  He walks int
o the next room and I struggle to come up with small talk.

  “The space looks nice,” I say.

  “Yeah, the boys did it with Chris when they were teenagers. They spent every waking moment down here. Then Trevor moved down here permanently when Seth went to college. Which is why the computer is down here. Trevor used to handle all the books for us.”

  “Oh, well, it’s a nice space for him. I’m above my parents’ garage and we’re getting to the time of year when I’ll have to have ten blankets on top of me to sleep.” I laugh uncomfortably. I’m apprehensive to talk about Trevor. What do I say?

  She moves to a drawer, opens it, takes out everything, and throws it into a garbage bag.

  “Dad, I have no idea,” Seth’s voice booms through the basement. “I could ask Evan. She does it for their place.”

  “Absolutely not!” Mr. Andrews yells. “She can’t see our numbers.”

  Mrs. Andrews pats my arm and offers me a small smile before heading to another area of the room, opening more drawers and cabinets. “Trevor is coming home from rehab.” She has a stack of junk and I see the spine of a porn magazine. “I want all temptation out. You know?”

  I nod like I understand, but I don’t. Seth hasn’t mentioned anything to me about Trevor returning. and although it’s none of my business, I know Trevor works for Andrews Bagel Company. Maybe his parents fired him, but I doubt it.

  “This is what they charge per item, this is what I sell at, and I sold this many,” Seth says.

  “And?” his dad snips.

  “And what? Trevor told me he had this down and all I had to do was input the numbers, but that’s not the case. It’s a mess. Then again, why should I be surprised? He was probably snorting lines of coke while doing our books.”

  I wish they’d allow me to help, but I understand. My father would never let Seth see our books. In fact, if he knew I was in my apartment with Seth and the file was open, he’d probably strip the responsibility from me.

  “Want to help me in the kitchen?” Mrs. Andrews asks. “I can finish this later.”