Page 30 of Trip Through Your Wires

“Yeah. Like that twit upstairs.”

“Upstairs?” I repeat, wondering why I sound like a goddamned parrot all of a sudden. Wait, was she talking about… “Mallory?”

“Mallory,” she copies me, voice high and mocking like a child.

Holy shit. Is that what this is about? Did Jenica see me with Mallory and she’s jealous? I can’t help but smile at the idea.

“No,” I lock my eyes on hers. “She doesn’t do it for me.”

“And why is that? Already been there, done that?”

“Maybe,” I shrug. “Or maybe I don’t want her. Maybe I don’t want any of the girls here anymore.”

“Since when?” She looks up, defiant.

I push her legs apart with my knee and step between them. “Since I think you know.”

Jenica and I aren’t exclusive. Shit, we aren’t even a thing. What we are, there’s no label or name for. But it wouldn’t be cool if she were fucking other guys.

But what if she has? I mean, look at her. She’s a ten. Scratch that, a twenty. What guy with blood in his veins wouldn’t give his left nut to hook up with her if given the chance?

“Are you seeing someone?” I ask, the idea making my skin itch.

“What?” She laughs.

“I’m serious, Sparky. Answer the question.” I’ve never demanded anything of her, but arrangements like ours come with transparency, right?

“No, I’m not seeing anyone,” she replies crisply. “But if I were, would it be any of your business?”

She tries to push up from the table but my arms stay locked on either side, keeping her in place. “I’d say it is my business because I don’t feel like catching something.”

Her eyes widen and I can see she’s surprised. Honestly, I am too because I’m not that guy. I respect girls and never want them to feel less than. But the idea of her with anyone ignites a fire I haven’t felt in years. One that makes me say and do stupid shit.

“Hey,” I grin, “you never know. Even the finest dining establishments can warrant a visit from the health inspector.”

I waggle my brows, and her eyes narrow. But instead of firing back with that sassy snark I love, she leans back and places both hands on the table.

“Now, Hot Shot.” She hooks one leg around the back of my thigh and pulls me toward her. “You know I don’t eat out.”

No, she doesn’t. I do know this. It’s one of her rules. But me, I’ve feasted on her plenty and I would like to push her down on this table, spread those gorgeous legs of hers, and devour her right now.

Instead, I run my thumb across her lower lip and bring it to my mouth and suck. She tastes like Cherry Chapstick and vodka, my favorite combination.

With her eyes on mine, and her leg around me, I know now why Jenica came down here with O’Brien. She wasn’t planning to fool around with him. She did it because she was jealous. If only she knew what she saw upstairs was not what she thinks because from the day she came into my orbit, she has been the only girl that I see.

“I’m going back to the party.” I pull back. “Stay out of trouble, Sparky.”

As I turn and make my way to the door, she hops off the table. “That’s it?” she calls out after me.

I stop but don’t look back. “Did you expect more?” I ask, fighting the smile tugging at my lips.

“You didn’t answer my question,” she fires back.

“No,” I shake my head, “and I don’t plan on it because you know the answer.”

This isn’t a discussion we should have here. It’s one we’ll have tonight when she comes to see me. And she will. I know she will. She won’t try to pull some ‘I fell asleep’ bullshit tonight because she’s made her curiosity clear and it’s about time.

Curiosity didn’t just kill the cat. It’s the thirst of one’s soul. And tonight, if my suspicion is right, she’s going to finally quench that curiosity of hers and give herself a drink.

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