Page 25 of Lust For

“Do I get a say in this?”

“Of course.” He reaches across the shifter and squeezes my thigh. “What do you want to say?”

“I don’t want to go backward. At least not yet.”

“Okay,” he says again. I like the finality of his words. “But remember, the rest of the world thinks I’m seeing Serena, so while I want to keep kissing you, the band will kick my ass if they figure out I’m screwing that up for them. This fake relationship isn’t just about me, and that’s why I agreed to go along with it.”

“So where does that leave us?”

“Let’s go somewhere tomorrow night and get some dinner. I wanna get to know the Audrey whose lips were just on mine.”

“I would really like that.”

“Good.”

“Good,” I repeat.

We head back home in silence. Once we reach the front porch, he stops me from going in by grabbing my arm and jerking me back toward him. My chest runs into his while his arms are wrapped around me to steady me.

“I’m a little traditional, and I’d like to end this evening by making out with you on the front porch.”

I giggle, biting my lip. “I’d really like that.”

“I can tell,” he says, teasing me just before his lips take mine.

The kiss is softer this time. He lightly takes my lips and lets them dance with his. His tongue slowly moves against mine. It’s everything a first kiss should be. The kind I know I’m going to be reliving. I’m dazed when we break apart.

“Good night, Audrey,” he tells me before opening the door and motioning for me to follow.

“Night.” It comes out all dreamy and dazed. I float on a cloud back to my room.

I hear his bedroom door close, and it makes me happy to know that he’s not headed out tonight. Instead, he’s in his room, slowly strumming on his guitar. I allow the soft sounds to lull me to sleep.

CHAPTER TEN

I wake up early the next morning to go for a run and clear my head. My dreams were full of Derek Walsh. Some of them were very exciting and others were disturbing. There was one where my brother punched Derek out until there was nothing left. I know that’s a real possibility. Aiden has never liked it when his friends have paid that type of attention to me. It was like an unspoken rule.

As I make my way back to the house, I wonder how Derek is feeling and if I’ll run into him and if it will be awkward. I hope not. I make my way up the deck steps and through the glass patio door. My eyes are drawn to the bright yellow Post-It note attached to the coffee pot.

I have some things to take care of, but I’ll be back.

Make sure you’re ready for our date tonight. It’ll be casual fun.

Can’t wait for more fireworks.

-

My stomach flips at the message, especially at the last line. Those were the best fireworks I’ve ever been to. I giggle out loud like a schoolgirl as a read and reread his note. I’m guessing there’s no buyer’s remorse from last night. I’m glad about that. I had considered the thought that he may have come to his senses and realized that it wasn’t the best idea to date his best friend and bandmate’s sister, but apparently not.

A new wave of anxiety hits me as I stare at the clothes I brought. None of them are too sexy or anything I would normally wear on a date. I brought a few nice things, but I thought I would be here alone. I hadn’t planned on Derek, and my wardrobe is showing it.

“Ugh!” I scream aloud and throw myself back onto the bed. Emma. I need Emma. Without a second thought, I call her cell. Of course, being my very best friend, she answers immediately.

“Hey, girl. How’s tricks?” Her tone is playful. It sounds so light that I bask in the warmth. Even over the phone, she makes me instantly feel better.

“Tricks are for kids, sunshine,” I tell her, using the nickname she’s had since she was a kid. Because that’s what Emma is—pure sunshine. Her warm blue eyes, sunshine-blonde hair, and sunny personality make her my favorite person in the world to speak to.

“How goes the great clear out, then? And the alone time with the hunk?” She giggles, referring to Derek.

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