Page 12 of Electric Touch

I stop and turn back.

“Would you consider doing Tia a favour?”

“Dude, you’re creeping me out now,” I tell him.

“Apollo, leave it.”

“Kiss her.”

“Excuse me?” This is even more fucking surreal. I’m sure it can’t get any worse.

“Oh my goodness, Apollo.” She grabs his shirt and pulls him, though he is way bigger than her and barely moves.

“We’re not crazy,” he says. “We have this bet.” She slaps at his arm, but he is undeterred. “I bet her fifty bucks she wouldn’t kiss a stranger.”

“Apollo!” she snaps, then looks at me. “Please, go back up to the show. You’re missing it, and must have friends waiting for their drinks.” She points to the bottles in my hands. “And he’s not a stranger.” She glares at the dude.

“You don’t know him.”

“I know of him,” she snaps.

The guy’s phone rings. He whispers at her before walking away to take his call. I look over my shoulder at her and she gives a nervous smile.

“I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “Please, forget this whole thing happened.”

“Does he always try to get you to do stuff like this?” I ask. I’m irritated by the entire conversation and how fucked up it is.

“Oh, it’s not like that. He’s my best friend and… There’s this whole thing and it’s too hard to explain. You should go.” Her eyes go a little wild and she looks away, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I’m usually much more articulate than this.”

I can’t help but huff out a laugh. She is even more gorgeous when she blushes and can no longer make eye contact. I glance at her friend again, he is still talking and doesn’t look over here.

“So you need to kiss a stranger and he’ll give you fifty bucks?” I ask.

She lifts her head, her lips part, I can’t help but let my gaze dip to them. They are a dusky rose red and glistening, she isn’t wearing lipstick or that sticky gloss shit Riley always wears. In fact, she has some eyeliner on her eyes, but not much else.

“Okay then.”

“Excuse me?” She says, sounding so incredulous it makes me want to laugh harder. I hold it in because I feel she’ll bolt.

“If it means he has to give you fifty dollars, I’m in.”

Her lips round as if she can’t quite believe what she’s hearing. I set the beer down on the bar beside us, amused I’ve rendered her speechless. I’m pretty fucking speechless myself that I am considering this, let alone about to do it. I step closer to her, and she takes in a quick breath. Leaning forward, I gently press my lips to hers, lingering just a few moments before I pull back.

She stands stock still, staring up at me. Her cheeks blush even pinker. Everything around us goes quiet as we stare at each other. My hand cups her cheek and I lean down again for one more quick kiss. Our lips meet again and move slowly together. My heart is fucking thumping like a wild animal inside my chest, I pull her closer to me, almost on instinct. Her lips are soft and taste like strawberries.

Her hand clutches my t-shirt, and she sags into me. When her mouth opens, her tongue darts out tentatively against mine. I lose all sense, and wrap my arms around her, angling my head to deepen the kiss.

Shit, this is turning me on. More so than any kiss I’ve had lately. If I am being honest, from Riley too, when I hadn’t noticed she was slipping away. I don’t want to think about her now, I’m too into this.

Her fingernails dig into my biceps through my shirt. It goes on for a few moments before I pull back, running the tip of my nose alongside hers. Her eyes stay closed, her lips wet, and darker than before. I can’t take my eyes off her. Hers lock on mine when she opens them, her lower lip trembles. I can’t help but touch it with the pad of my thumb.

Shit, I am about to fucking grab this girl and slam her against the wall.

“I owe you fifty bucks.” Her friend appears behind me, and the moment is broken.

She steps back, ducking her head. Her long dark curls fall around her shoulders as she does. I can’t tear my eyes from her, I want those green eyes on me.

Reality is creeping back in.

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