“Well, Phillip,” I whisper slowly into his ear, “I’m just going to whisper in your ear.”
“And rub up the front of me too?” he whispers back. “I think I’m liking this plan.”
“No, I’m not going to do that. I’m simply getting very close to you, telling you, I don’t know, something very private.”
“Are you talking dirty to me?” He laughs and wraps his arms around me. That mind reading thing comes in handy sometimes, because he totally understands my ruse.
“Yes, I am! So grin like you like what I’m saying.”
“Why don’t you kiss my neck while you’re there, just for good measure.”
“Good idea. You don’t mind my using you, do you, Phillip?” I ask, as I put my lips onto his neck up by his ear.
I hear his breath catch.
I don’t think he minds.
His neck smells really good. I love the way Phillip smells. All manly and musky and quite yummy. For a minute, I almost forget about that Matt guy.
“Not at all,” Phillip purrs, “although if it doesn’t work really fast, I might be forced to drag you back to the dorm and have my way with you.”
I admit, I think it would be fun to let Phillip have his way with me, but we’re just friends and we don’t want to ruin that, so yeah.
I laugh and start to say, “Phil—” when he interrupts me.
“You’re good,” Phillip says, surprised. “Here he comes.”
“Liar.” I don’t even turn around because I’m sure he’s teasing me. It couldn’t have worked that fast.
But it must have, because instead of answering me, Phillip switches me into one arm, leans around me, and shakes Matt’s hand. I turn around and am face-to-face with a Greek God.
He is even better looking up close. Because up close you can see he has these amazing emerald green eyes and a sexy five o’clock shadow.
“Matt Fuller,” Phillip says, introducing me. “This is my friend, Jadyn Reynolds.”
Matt holds out his hand to shake mine.
I put my hand in his. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Matt shakes my hand then lowers his hand to his side, without letting mine go.
In fact, I don’t think he has any intention of letting it go.
What is this boy up to?
He gazes at me with those smoldering green eyes and quickly gets rid of Phillip. “Hey, Phillip, why don’t you go get some beers. The lady’s empty.” He clinks my empty bottle with his full one.
“Uh, sure,” Phillip says. He knows he is being dismissed, so when he gets behind Matt’s back, he gives me a look that says Remember the rules.
I look at Matt and then down at my hand. “So, do I get my hand back?”
“I don’t think so,” he says, oozing sex appeal out of every pore.
Now, I would have thought this kind of bold move would turn me off a guy, but it seems to be having the opposite effect. I’m kind of impressed. It’s goofy, but this is something I could see myself doing to make an impression.
“So, I’ll just have to stay here all night, huh?” I say innocently, but knowing the sentence has major innuendo.
“Well, at least until you get to know me properly,” he replies and blinks lazily.
“Oh, great,” I say, rolling my eyes in mock boredom, “next you’ll ask me my major.”
“No, I already know. Engineering.”
Mr. Smarty Pants, huh?
“Well, either you read my interview, or you are psychic.”
“Guilty.”
Not only is he still holding my hand, but also, he is totally invading my personal space. It’s making me slightly crazy. I’m having a very hard time trying not to look at his mouth. I fear if I keep looking at it, I might do something rash, like just start kissing it. I am also fighting a growing impulse to rub my cheek up against all those stubbles on his face.
“I did read your interview. In fact you might be interested to know that this fraternity house was built in 1957. It has some very interesting architectural details.”
Oh really? Let me guess, you want to give me a tour?
“You know, I’ve heard about this house practically my whole life. Phillip’s dad and my dad belonged to this fraternity and lived here.”
“Well, in that case, I bet you would love a tour.” His gaze is predatory.
Now I do remember hearing that rule. No tours. I’m looking around for Phillip, hoping he’ll return with my beer. I’d really like to have something to keep my mouth occupied.
“Maybe later,” I say politely, not completely refusing. “So this interview stuff—seems to me it’s just a way for you guys to get the inside scoop on the new crop. Let me guess, tomorrow night you will sit around a fire and score the girls?”
He has an expression of surprise on his face that leads me to believe that is exactly what they will do.
“Who told you that?” he whispers, leaning in closer to me. I can feel his warm breath on my neck and I can smell him. He smells different from Phillip—more like soap, but still nice.
“You really do that?” I laugh in disbelief, yet I can totally picture it. It is so very much something boys would do. I’m on a roll now, so I take another stab in the dark. “And the scores, are they based on looks or how, um, friendly the girls are?”
“You’re not supposed to know about this,” he whispers in my ear again.
I really don’t think it’s a big secret. I think he’s just trying to get to me.
It’s working.
“I’d say we rank the girls on their ability to make friends,” he states, like a not so truthful politician.
“So, hypothetically, let’s say I kiss you tonight, what kind of ranking would I get?” I flirt.
“One star.”
I give him an insulted look, and then I try to make my face look sexy.
“What if I’m really good at it?”
“Still only one star,” he responds, like Sorry.
“I see. So what if I were to say, strip naked and dance on a table?”
He grins. “Although that is something I would very much enjoy seeing, I’m afraid it would net you no stars. It’s kind of like the difference between a spectator sport and a contact sport.”
Ah, I get it.
“So are you going to kiss me?”
“No,” I respond, shaking my head like it is the furthest thing from my mind.
I am so lying, because it’s right up there at the top. All I can think about really.
“Well, how are you going to earn any stars? You strike me as a competitive girl.”
Oh, I am such a tease.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to kiss anyone.”
“Ah,” he says, holding his chest, “break my heart.”
Yeah, I’m sure.
“Actually, I’m joking. I doubt I’ll kiss anyone tonight.”
“What? Surely you don’t want to be the only girl here without a star to her name?”
He thinks this comment is like a dare to me. That I will be dying to get a kiss, so I can be like everyone else. I somehow doubt every girl here will get kissed tonight, but obviously he has yet to figure me out, cuz that sounds like a challenge to me.
“You know, I think that is exactly what I’d like to be.”
“So do you always get exactly what you want?”
Uh, no, not really, but I think my luck is changing.
Matt is grinning at me like I’m the new Christmas toy he really wanted, but can’t play with yet because he hasn’t read the instructions.
“If I have anything to say about it, yeah, I guess I usually do,” I answer truthfully.
I’m feeling a little full of myself tonight, and I’m having fun.
And it’s true. If I want it and I can do something to make it happen, I usually will.
Jerk boys who date sluts and car accidents are things I just can’t control. Mr. Diamond has been telling me that over and over. Only deal with what you can control, JJ.
“So let me guess,” he says, finally releasing my hand and pretending to hold an interview sheet to the side of his head like a psychic.
“Ah yes, I have it. Prom queen, cheerleader, dated the quarterback, voted prettiest eyes. Am I close?”
“One. You already told me you read my interview. And Two. Those things weren’t even on there.”
“So humor me.”
“Ehh, 50-50.” I hold my hand out flat and tilt it back and forth. “No to prom queen, hell no to cheerleader, yes to the quarterback,” I say with a roll of my eyes and then a pointed look. “But Jake turned out to be an asshole. And yes,” I say, batting my eyelashes, “to the eyes.”
Matt leans into me, pushes my long bangs out of the way, and gazes straight into my eyes, “Yeah, total bedroom eyes.”
I try not to get flustered, but this guy is kind of unnerving me.
Okay, really unnerving me.
So I go back to being a smart ass, hoping to defuse this time bomb standing next to me.
“How about you? Have you already picked your victims for tonight?” I lower my voice and whisper huskily, “I heard you’re practically a legend around here.”
He shrugs and looks slightly embarrassed.
Figures. If I were a guy, he’d be entertaining me with stories about past victims, but since I’m a girl, the predator has turned into Mr. Shy and Innocent.
“So is there a record for the number of stars given out by one guy?” I say, changing the subject. But then I think and add, “Please don’t say my dad.”
He chuckles. “Well, there are two records, actually.” He looks around, like he’s about to give me top secret information, and then whispers meaningless names, numbers, and dates into my ear.
“And your personal best?”
“You ask a lot of questions.” He squints at me in irritation.
I decide to make him a bit more uncomfortable. I stand closer to him and poke my finger gently on his chest. “Hey, you’re the one that wanted me to get to know you.”
He looks me in the eyes, trying to stall, but finally says, “It’s private.”
“Okay, so now you’ve got me curious.”
He shrugs.
“Fine. I’ll just have to take a guess.”
“Hmm.” I lick my lips then put my finger to my mouth and rub my bottom lip, supposedly thinking. Really, I just want him to look at my mouth. “Practically legendary status, but no records.” I lean into him and whisper a wild guess into his ear.
I can tell immediately that I nailed it, or came pretty darn close. The instant shocked look on his face is a dead giveaway.
My, my.
“Seems like we both tend to get what we want.” I can’t help but smirk at him. He is fun to tease.
He is embarrassed and obviously doesn’t want to talk about it.
I look around and see that Phillip is kissing a girl with bouncy brown hair. Jeez, when did the boy learn to work so fast? Maybe this fraternity thing will be good for him. I mean, I’m very impressed.
I’m also half tempted to go check in with him right now, just to make a point, but I don’t.
He should have some fun.
“So how am I going to get a kiss from you,” he whines, “if you won’t kiss anyone?”
“Look, I promise, pinky swear,” I say, holding up my pinkie. “I owe you a kiss.”
“You know, I haven’t quite figured out if I should attack you or go into business with you,” he says, as he grabs my pinkie with his.
I grin at that.
He laughs, and for the first time, I see a wonderful, genuine smile on his face. I like it. “Come to my room,” he says, in a silky voice. “I have some really good tequila. We’ll do a quick shot or two.”
Sure we will, and what else will we do?
I am contemplating my next move, when a really great song starts playing. “Come on, dance with me first.” I pull his arm toward the dance floor.
He stands firm, pulls me back, and says, “I don’t dance until I’ve had a minimum of two shots. Sorry, it’s a rule.”
“Well, rules were meant to be broken.”
But he shakes his head no.
So I take a different approach and purr innocently, “You mean you can’t wrap your arms around me,” I gently run my fingers down the sides of his arms, “put your body close to mine and sway slowly,” I smile, close my eyes and sway slightly in front of him, “until you’ve had two shots?”
“It’s not a slow song,” he says, but he is weakening, I can tell.
“Close enough,” I reply and drag him out there.
We dance slowly to the fast music, and he takes full advantage of the closeness by letting his hands do a lot of roaming.
I don’t mind it though. There’s something about him that I really like. He’s, like, challenging. This isn’t your typical brainless, stupid game playing, but more like a chess match.
Your move, my move, your move.
I actually have to think about this.
I find it intriguing and, let’s face it, most of the guys I’ve dated weren’t exactly brain surgeons. This mental sparring is very stimulating.
In many ways.
After a few songs, I excuse myself to use the restroom and run some lip gloss across my lips. When I get back out, I don’t see Matt anywhere. Maybe I scared him away. I’m half hoping that’s the case.
I reach down and grab a beer from a cooler on the floor next to me. Just as I stand back up, I realize Matt has snuck up on me and is standing very close to my side.
I laugh and shake my head at his persistence. “Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?”
“Yeah,” he whispers in my ear and holds his mouth there.
“Where?”
“In you.”
His voice is low and silky. I hadn’t realized two simple words could sound so damn sexy.
But then my eyes get big at that comment when I realize what he meant.
Whew, is it hot in here all of a sudden?
Shit. I think I may be speechless.
That never happens.
I know.
I know what you’re thinking. I am too.
It’s a total line.
But I have to admit it’s given me goose bumps and made my stomach flutter. Plus, I love having my ear whispered into. Something so hot about that.
I recover from the blatantly suggestive comment, back up, and nod my head in appraisal. “A quick and a dirty mind. I like that.”
He swings around to face me, very much invading my personal space again, and pinning me up against the wall.
“So am I ever gonna get this kiss you promised me?” He’s practically begging.
“Jeez, you are so obsessed with a stupid kiss.” I roll my eyes at him. “Can’t you just relax?”
He doesn’t say anything, just looks at me with smoldering eyes. Eyes that leave me no doubt what the answer to the question is.
It’s no.
Unequivocally, no. He can’t.
Sweet!
“Fine,” I say diplomatically, as I reach into his pocket to retrieve the marker.
He is looking both surprised and happy at where my hand is, but then looks disappointed when I pull out the marker and hold it in front of him. I make a grand gesture of taking the lid off. I grab his hand, write I O U A on his palm, and then bring my mouth down to his hand.
I am being so bad, I almost shock myself.
I close my eyes and press my lips slowly into his palm.
I swear, I think I hear him groan.
Ha! Who knew practicing kissing your hand would ever pay off.
I open my eyes slowly, look at him through lidded eyes, and hold his gaze for a few seconds. I assess the pink kiss mark on his hand and then drop it very unceremoniously. “There. You have it in writing. I owe you. Now, how about that shot?”
Yes, I do go to his room. Breaking one of Phillip’s Rules.
But what the hell, right?
His roo
m is decorated in typical guy. Crap tossed most everywhere. He walks over to a mini fridge and pulls out a chilled bottle of some supposedly expensive tequila and a lime. He grabs two shot glasses, salt, a knife, and here we go.
In preparation for the shot, he quarters a lime, pours the shots, and hands me the salt. Just as I’m about to lick my hand, Matt grabs it and slowly runs his tongue across it, all while staring straight into my eyes.
Wow.
He is so hot.
And his intentions are so clear.
He pours some salt on my hand and quickly does his own. We clink the glasses and down our first shot.
I’m wondering, does he always have this stuff lying around or was it purchased just for tonight? The good news is I saw him break the seal on the tequila, so I don’t have to worry about anything getting put into my drink.
We do another shot, after he toasts to IOUs, and somehow I persuade him to go back out to dance.
See. I escaped his room without harm. I’ll have to tell Phillip that his rules are stupid.
Or not. I would probably get a lecture on how lucky I was this time.
It’s getting a little late and the music has slowed down. We dance some more, very close.
I’m feeling the tequila and dancing close to him like this is starting to drive me nuts. Time for that kiss, I think!
“So, are you planning on collecting that IOU tonight or some other night?”
He thinks I want him to ask me out on a date.
“Uh, some other night?”
“Wrong answer. Try again.”
This time he answers with a wide sexy smile. “Tonight,” he nods. “Definitely tonight.”
“Good. We’re getting out of here though. If we’re not in the frat house, the kiss can’t go on my record. Right?” I give him my best bedroom eyes, trying to convince him, although I think he’d agree to just about anything at this point.
He nods yes at me, and I drag him out the front door. We’re barely out the door, when he pushes me up against the wall and tries to kiss me. I quick put my hand up to his mouth to stop him.
He looks at me with frustration. I grab the IOU and hold it up to his face.
“I owe you, remember? Not the other way around. Why don’t you relax, and let me kiss you?”
Kiss Kiss Page 151