Swirl

  He cut his eyes at her and folded his arms. “Poly as in Polynesian. We’re Samoan,” he said in a clipped tone. It sounded like he was annoyed with her already, which was odd because it was an innocent question. To be fair, I didn’t know what Poly meant either. I just didn’t intend to ask the meaning.

  Judging by the way they kept glaring at each other, maybe I was wrong about them possibly wanting to get to know one another. Kirsten looked like she wanted to punch Keon in the face, and the feeling appeared mutual.

  “Do you need any help in here?” I asked, trying to diffuse the tension in the air.

  “Nope. We just need to set the food on the table and we’ll be ready to dig in,” said Jayce. “Go on and grab some drinks while you wait.”

  He led us over to a table covered in alcohol and red cups. We mixed a couple of drinks and found some empty seats. Kirsten immediately struck up a conversation with the people next to her as I sat and observed. Everybody was really friendly and welcoming despite my standoffish demeanor. If I got a few more drinks into my system, I’d be the embarrassing life of the party.

  “It’s chow time everybody!” yelled Keon.

  Everyone stampeded into the kitchen, and quickly pushed us to the head of the line because we were guests. I soon realized Kirsten and I were the only people here not related to someone in the room.

  “The food is pretty standard,” said Jayce, grabbing the plate out of my hands. “There are a few things here that may be a little different for you. This is called Oka, it’s raw fish mixed with some other things. I’ll just give you a little so you can try it.”

  My plate had a colorful array of things piled on it. It was incredibly sweet of Jayce to fix my plate and slightly awkward. Vivianne didn’t seem to be anywhere in sight, and that too was a pleasant relief. I followed him outside to the patio and sat down in one of the chairs. The backyard was empty and I liked the privacy it offered.

  “This is nice,” I whispered.

  “Yeah, I wanted to talk to you privately,” he said.

  My stomach practically dropped down to my knees. I hope you didn’t secretly marry Vivianne or something.

  “Okay,” I stammered. “What’s up?”

  “Well my trip didn’t turn out the way I thought it would. Everything started out great, but things didn’t end that way,” he said.

  I tried some of the food on the plate and choked down the moan in my throat. The food was amazing and I seriously considered licking the plate after I finished.

  “I’m all ears,” I replied.

  “She set everything up like it was all her idea. She failed to mention she contacted a coach from my football days. Coach Jackson really wanted me on his team in the past and basically told me I could come play for him whenever I got ready. Vivianne convinced him that I was on board with everything. He paid for the room, the plane tickets, and all of our food, thinking I planned to come to the open tryouts.”

  “Wow,” I muttered. What a clever, sneaky bitch.

  “I didn’t want him to feel used or anything so I did go through with the tryout. He approved of my performance and so did the other coaches and trainers for the team. They offered me the opportunity to come to training camp in a couple of months. I didn’t want to seem like an asshole so I told them I’ll think about it,” he said.

  “Are you really considering it?” I asked. My hand wiped away the sweat on my forehead and I was pretty sure it was because of the spicy chicken and not my nerves this time.

  “Hell no, and that’s the same thing I told Vivianne. She basically told me the trip was her way of giving me a small push toward making our lives better. I told her I was done with her. My heart can’t take the manipulation anymore.”

  Would I be wrong to cheer? How about a cartwheel?

  “I’m glad you followed your heart,” I said.

  Jayce narrowed his eyes and arched his brow. “Tell me how you really feel, Bri,” he said.

  I took a deep breath and placed my empty plate on the small table between us. “Well, I really am glad you followed your heart. Vivianne isn’t exactly the nicest person in the world and I thought you deserved better than her anyway,” I said in a rush.

  He nodded and put his plate on the table before folding his arms across his chest. “You actually helped make the decision easier for me,” he explained. “You were right when you said I was holding on to a hollow shell. Vivianne isn’t my Vivi anymore and it’s because she chooses to not be that person anymore.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but Mya poked her head out the door. “Hey, Jayce, we’re about to leave,” she said.

  “I’ll walk you out,” he said, standing to his feet. “Come on in the house, Bri. I don’t want to leave you out here alone.”

  “It was nice meeting you,” said Mya. “I hope to see you again sometime.”

  “Likewise,” I said with a nod.

  As the living room emptied, I searched for Kirsten in the dwindling crowd. I found her sitting on the couch scowling with her arms folded across her chest.

  I plopped down next to her and nudged her with my elbow. “What’s up? What’s wrong?” I whispered.

  She slowly turned her head, and for a split second I thought her head would keep right on spinning. Her nose flared and there was a tinge of redness to her cheeks. I could almost feel heat radiating off of her.

  “Keon, or whatever his name is, happens to be a major asshole. I couldn’t believe you thought I would like a douche like that,” she snarled.

  “What happened?” I asked, leaning in closer.

  “He keeps making little digs at me. He basically told me I must look like a gremlin underneath my makeup since I’m wearing so much of it,” she said.

  My eyebrows jumped up in surprise. “I can’t believe he said that! Keon does have a no bullshit type of approach to him. Do you want to leave?”

  Please say no. Please say no. I really want to talk to Jayce some more.

  “Of course not,” she hissed. “I’m waiting on him to come back.”

  “Huh?” I asked, my mouth went slack in confusion. “If he’s such an asshole, why are you waiting on him?”

  She crossed her legs and flared her nose again before offering an explanation. “Because I’m not leaving until I prove my point. There’s nothing wrong with my face and I can take all of my makeup off and still be ten times hotter than anybody he’s ever been with,” she grumbled.

  Just then, Keon returned with a soapy towel and held it out to Kirsten. All I could do was shake my head at the two of them.

  “Well go on,” he urged. “Take that mask off.”

  Jayce walked back into the house and closed the door behind him. His eyes bounced back and forth at the scene unfolding. “What’s going on?” he asked slowly.

  “There’s some type of bet going on between the two of them. Keon thinks Kirsten is wearing too much makeup and is trying to hide something,” I explained.

  She snatched the towel out of his hands and started wiping off the layers of stuff caked on her face.

  “What’s the big deal, Keon? I’m wearing it too,” I said.

  He briefly cut his eyes at me and winked. “I’ve seen you without makeup on before. You’re pretty without it, but I’m not so sure about your friend,” he said. I could tell he was teasing her and deliberately trying to make her mad. This was like watching two high school kids go at each other.

  “I’m going to slap you if you keep insulting me,” she growled.

  He gave a wide grin and shrugged his shoulders. “Won’t be the first time a girl has slapped me.”

  Kirsten closed her eyes and nearly scrubbed her skin off. When she was finally satisfied everything was gone she threw the towel at Keon. “See? There’s nothing wrong with my face. With or without makeup I look better than anybody you’ve ever been with,” she snapped.

  “If you say so,” he replied, taking the towel into the laundry room.

  She whirled around on her heels and stormed
after him. I expected to hear a bunch of yelling, screaming, and the sound of things breaking, but silence was the only thing bouncing off the walls.

  Jayce and I exchanged confused glances before the sudden loud slap drew our attention.

  “Ow!” yelled Keon.

  “Don’t do it again,” shouted Kirsten.

  She came out first and he followed still clutching his face. “She slapped me!”

  “Of course I slapped you. You kissed me without my permission,” she said.

  My eyes bounced back to Keon, waiting on an explanation. “You liked it or you wouldn’t have kissed me twice before slapping me,” he replied.

  These two are definitely a match made in heaven. I have no clue as to what’s going on.

  “Let’s play a game and squash all of this nonsense,” suggested Jayce.

  We followed him to the kitchen and I made sure to stay by Kirsten’s side … just in case.

  “What game?” I asked, taking a seat at the table. Jayce brought over the remaining tray of shots and placed them in the center. Keon and Kirsten exchanged glances with one another as they sat down to play.

  “Truth or Dare,” Jayce announced, sitting down next to me. “And Bri is on my team.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  I caught the mischievous glances being swapped between Keon and Jayce, and I wondered what they had up their sleeves.

  “The rules are simple. You and your partner both have to agree on which side you choose. If you choose truth, you take a shot, and if you choose dare, you take a shot,” Jayce explained.

  “Those aren’t rules. It sounds like we’re drinking no matter what we choose,” I said.

  “Exactly,” he replied, rubbing his hands together. “You guys can go first. Truth or Dare?”

  “Truth,” blurted Keon.

  Kirsten promptly punched him in the leg. “You didn’t ask me if I wanted truth,” she said.

  He turned to her with a playful spark in his eyes. “Are you going to hit me every time you don’t get your way? Is our relationship built on violence?”

  She looked shocked for a moment and blushed. “We don’t have a relationship,” she mumbled.

  He leaned forward with his elbows on the table and tilted his head to the side. “Oh really? Give it some time, it’ll all sink in,” he murmured.

  It was obvious she couldn’t think of a witty response to him. Her mouth simply opened and closed a few times, before she cast a confused look in my direction.

  Hell, don’t look over here. I don’t know what to tell you.

  I shrugged my shoulders and locked eyes with Keon. “We’re going with truth,” he said with an understood finality to the question.

  “Go on and take your shots,” said Jayce.

  They reached over, grabbed the tiny cups, and tossed them back. I felt Jayce’s hand on my knee and my head jerked around toward him. “Let’s think of a question,” he whispered into my ear.

  The warmth of his breath on my skin sent chills down my spine, causing me to involuntarily arch my back. “Okay,” I muttered. “I think I’ve got one.”

  He nodded and leaned back over, but his hand stayed right on my knee. “Go on,” he urged.

  “Who’s the last person you’ve undressed with your eyes,” I asked with a seductive smile.

  “Kirsten,” said Keon with no hesitation.

  Her eyes widened and the familiar sex kitten look blossomed across her face. “Keon,” she replied. “And I’m not impressed.”

  “Oh really?” he laughed. “I need to change the picture in your mind.”

  “Your turn!” she yelled eagerly. “Truth or Dare?”

  “Dare?” asked Jayce looking over at me.

  My heart raced, there was no telling what Kirsten was going to come up with for a dare, but I didn’t want to wimp out. “Yeah, dare,” I said.

  Keon and Kirsten leaned over and whispered to one another for a few seconds. The look on their faces told it all, and I knew something embarrassing was about to happen.

  “I dare you to kiss each other, and I’m not talking about a peck on the cheek. I mean a real kiss,” said Keon.

  The second the dare crossed his lips, I felt my mouth get drier than a desert on the hottest day of the year. My hands trembled, and a thin layer of sweat instantly found its way onto my forehead. The hand on my knee glided up a bit and gave me a small squeeze. I reached out and grabbed my shot off the table. The liquid burned on the way down, and I chased it with another one for good measure. I exhaled slowly, forcing all of the air from my lungs until it hurt.

  “Ready?” Jayce asked quietly.

  I took several deep breaths and quickly licked my lips. He leaned in and paused just before our lips touched. After a few awkward seconds suspended in limbo, I closed the gap between us. His lips were soft, just like I imagined they would be. I felt his tongue tap my lips asking for permission to enter. My head attempted to jerk back, but Jayce moved his free hand up to cup my face and hold me in place. The wet tap against my lips was more urgent this time.

  My lips parted slightly and that was all he needed to slide right in. I nervously allowed our tongues to meet as we took turns mingling in each other’s mouths. I was thankful for the full coverage bra hiding my erect nipples this time. I squirmed uncomfortably in the growing wetness between my thighs as Jayce’s hand snaked its way up my leg. The higher it got, the more urgent my need was for him to touch me. I panicked the moment his fingers finally grazed the warmth between my legs. I broke our connection and jumped up from the table.

  “I need to use the bathroom!” I announced, running from the room. My name was called, but I didn’t stop until I found the bathroom. Without turning on the light, I closed the door and leaned against it.

  There’s no way I can go back to the table with my panties soaking wet like this.

  I flipped on the light and tried to regain my composure.

  Damn, if I had my purse I could simply put my panties in there. What the hell just happened out there?

  “Bri?” called Kirsten through the door. “Are you okay?”

  I tried to steady my nerves by turning on the water so I could splash it on my face. If I kept the panties on, I’d have a rash in an hour. My eyes scanned the bathroom for something to put them in, but my search came up empty.

  “Damn,” I whispered.

  A soft knock on the door interrupted my scavenger hunt.

  Fine, I’ll let Kirsten in and tell her to go get my purse.

  I pulled the door open and Jayce was standing where my friend should be. He grabbed my face and brought our mouths together again as he barged into the bathroom. He kicked the door closed with his foot and pushed me against the counter. I moaned and wrapped my arms around him. Clearly I hadn’t learned my lesson from the debacle I had with Connor. Alcohol and raging hormones didn’t mix well with each other, but I couldn’t stop myself.

  Jayce reached down and cupped my ass with his hands before he picked me up and put me on the counter. I opened my legs to invite him into a more comfortable position. He maneuvered his way between my thighs pressing his rock hard erection into me. He broke our connection and yanked my shirt over my head. One of his hands unsnapped my bra and the other fumbled with the button and zipper on my pants.

  “No … wait,” I whispered, slightly out of breath.

  “You want to stop?” he asked, his chest rising and falling heavily.

  “Yes … no … well, I just don’t want to do it in the bathroom,” I confessed.

  He smiled and helped me completely take my bra off before dropping it to the floor. His arms wrapped around and picked me up again. My legs locked around his waist as he hoisted me into the air. He somehow managed to open the door and I was glad his back was to the living room, otherwise I would have flashed Keon and Kirsten. My breath came out in a slow hiss as his mouth latched onto my breast.

  His mouth was warm and he gently rolled my nipple around with his tongue. The delicate nipping of his
teeth sent a shockwave of pleasure and pain throughout my body. He made a left at the end of the hall and again kicked the door closed behind us. He put me down on the bed, and I watched his silhouette move against the darkness. His hands moved up my legs and pulled both my panties and pants off in one fell swoop. My legs instantly locked together, stopping him from going any further.

  “Are you sure?” I asked nervously.

  Leave it to me to be a buzzkill, but I have to be sure.

  “I’ve wanted you since day one, but I had to be sure things were done with Vivianne,” he said.

  “Wow, really?” I croaked.

  “Yes … really.”

  I inhaled deeply and allowed my legs to drop open on the exhale. Jayce was still dressed as he eased between my legs and hovered over my body. His mouth found its way to my neck and left a trail of wet kisses down my body. His hand moved down my thigh and circled around to massage my wet mound. I moaned and dropped my hips back away from his hand. One finger found its way inside as his thumb massaged my swollen bud. I don’t know how he was able to keep up the two different rhythms at the same time and I didn’t care. My hips moved with his hand in a hurried frenzy, and I could feel the orgasm building, but he removed his hand just as I was about to reach my peak. Despite the darkness in the room, I was able to clearly see his fingers disappear into his mouth as he moaned.

  I hope I don’t taste bad. I searched his face for some type of clue hinting to what I tasted like.

  “I think I need some more,” he whispered. His mouth moved down my body, each kiss ignited a new fire inside. His tongue danced on the inner crevice of one thigh, before he moved on to the other side.

  It’s a good thing I shaved everything before the party.

  His tongue finally moved over to lap at my wetness. I bucked off the bed as his mouth closed in around my clit.

  “Yessss,” I hissed, biting my lip.

  Jayce reached up, grabbed my hand, and placed it on his head. I took the hint and grabbed two fistfuls of his hair. My hips rolled with the rhythm of his mouth. He licked, sucked, and slurped me deeper into a heightened level of ecstasy. His arms wrapped around my legs and I felt myself reaching that point of no return. My breath hitched in my throat as the orgasm took control of my body. I jerked and tried to twist away from his mouth still working my overly sensitive clit, but he held on, rolling his tongue over it again and again. When my seizure-like pulses stopped, Jayce moved his mouth to nuzzle my inner thigh again.