Page 97 of Embody

And this is why I avoid arguing…I’m just not very good at it.Probablyshouldn’t admit you’re still tingling if you’re trying to be mean.

“Bellamy,” he rasps my name in carnal urgency, stalking toward me. “How you manage mad, adorable and sexy as fuck all at the same time, I’ll never know, but I hope like hell you never stop.” He brushes my long hair off my neck and leans in to suck on the sensitive flesh, murmuring in between laves of his tongue. “That was Presley, asking where to meet us. She set her own, very appropriate, ringtone.”

“Oh,” my embarrassment is merely a puff of air.

“Yeah, oh,” he chuckles on my skin, pressing his body closer to mine. “You were jealous, weren’t ya, baby?”

“Very,” my honesty is effortlessly forthcoming.

“I like that,” he rumbles, “a helluva lot. As sexy as it is, and I wouldn’t mind seeing it again, let me set the record straight.” He pulls back, producing his phone. “Cleared it out. Not one girl in here that isn’t family or an employee besides you. No passcode either if you want to look for yourself.”

Sheer, undiluted delight zaps through me, but I try, no doubt failing, for a neutral expression. “I don’t need to look, I believe you. I’m sorry I assumed the worst. And, while we’re on the topic, same. No guys in my phone except you, my dad, my boss and your Squad. Oh, and Marshall.”

“Marshall needs to go,” he says calmly but adamantly, rubbing his thumb across my cheek.

“He’s my study p-”

“Nope.” His head shakes slowly back and forth. “I took Sociology. I’m your study partner now, and I’mveryeffective. I, too, give rewards, positive reinforcement, for every correct answer.” He winks. “Now tell me you’ll remove him, because youwantto study with me.”

“Okay.” I smile, more than happy to agree.

“One more thing. Are you onSnatchchat?”

“What the hell is-”

“He meansSnapchat,” Brynn, who apparently let herself in, stands in the doorway, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, by all means, come on in.” He turns to jibe his sister. “And that’s what I said,Snatchchat.”

Ryder stands behind her, giving it his all not to laugh but nodding in agreement. “Are you on there, Brynny?” he asks her.

She glances over his shoulder at him. “Of course not! It’s a cesspool of dipshit guys who love to post half-naked selfies in hopes of a hook-up. Not interested.Are you on there?” she questions him right back.

“No,” he laughs, kissing her cheek.

“All right then. So, we going or what?” She turns back to us.

“Please stand by,” Jefferson holds up a finger. “Baby,are you? On it?” His bottomless, chestnut eyes speak volumes, desperate to hear me say I’m not.

“No,” I snicker, and as expected, the distress in his gaze instantly turns into predatory triumph.

“Me either.”

“I don’t even know what it is, neither do you from the sound of it. Snatch, Snap, whichever, I think we’re good.”

“God, I love you. That’s my girl.” He drags me to him and kisses me madly, seemingly unaware, or unconcerned, with what he just blurted out.

But I didn’t miss it. Neither did Brynn. When I look over, her eyes are about to bulge out of socket and her jaw’s on the floor. I give her a small shake of my head, silently begging her to leave it be.

“Hey.” The present dawns on Jefferson and he stares at Brynn. “Why are you here?”

She crosses her arms and slants her chin defiantly. “We’re giving Bellamy a ride. My tickets, my invite, my friend. Didn’t she tell you?”

“No, no she didn’t.” He cuts me a disgruntled side-glance.

“I, uh, wasn’t sure what the plan was,” I stammer, looking down to fiddle with the strings at the hem of my skirt. “No one set anything in stone…until you both texted me at the exact same time that you were already on your way. I honestly hadn’t even thought about it. Much like everyone else.”

“No worries,” Brynn pops a shoulder. “We can all ride together.”

---