Page 65 of The Quarterback Sneak

Oh, God. How badly I’ve read this situation sinks in. He only helped me out yesterday because I essentially begged him, and now he’s thinking I’m desperate enough to agree to my own stupid suggestion. He’s not wrong, though, which makes it even worse.

“Maybe,” I say with a lilt in my voice. There’s no way I can back out of this… Not that I’d want to. Kissing Zach is the most alive I’ve ever felt, and if we keep up our fake dating charade, I can’texactly turn around and put a no-kissing ban on us. Maybe I need to ride the wave and have a good time with him instead of expecting something more.

“I have one condition, though,” Zach interjects, and I quirk an eyebrow. “It’s the same thing as you mentioned before. We can’t catch feelings.”

Little late for that on my end. “No feelings?” I play dumb because I want him to elaborate.

“Like I said, Honey.” His eyes drop to my lips, and I poke my tongue out, licking them. “I like you and think you might like me too.” I’m sure my flustered expression gives it away, but thankfully, not how much. “And I’ve been thinking a lot about this. We can have fun, but nothing can happen between us beyond the bet.” Have fun, but nothing more. After Jamie, can I handle that? Swallowing, I step back, shaking my head because I’m trying my best to look unaffected by his words. Zach grabs my hand.

“Hey,” he whispers, bringing me closer to him. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop this bet or not take you to the debutante ball. I just think we need to clear the air.” This is so tragic; he thinks I’m upset because he might miss the ball. That’s the last thing on my mind.

“Uh-huh.” My mouth hangs open because I still don’t know what to say. Sneaking out here tonight, I thought we’d repeat the janitor’s closet, but Zach had a different idea.

“Our chemistry is hot.” He’s so into his words that he hasn’t noticed my withering face. “But our lives are just so different. Your parents only accept me now because it distracts people from the whole Jamie fiasco.” I purse my lips. He could be right. My parents are too focused on image and not enough on my happiness. It’s the only reason they’re even entertaining Zach and I dating. Although, after yesterday’s grounding, thatmight not be for long. “And with football, my scholarship, and commitments, I wouldn’t be able to focus on you after this ends.”

There it is again.Commitments. Commitments. Commitments.That’s all he ever talks about but never elaborates, and I’m too scared to ask what thosecommitmentsare. Since he only wants me as a booty call, there’s no point asking about it now.

“Only sex, though,” I blurt out. Maybe it’s a Freudian slip since it’s all I’ve been thinking about.

“What else were you thinking? Threesomes? Because I’d rather not invite Mike into the bedroom if I can help it.” He jokes, leaving a little kiss on my cheek.

“Nothing, I was just confirming what you said. No feelings… Just sex.”

“Just sex.” He looks up, then back down at me. “Okay. So is this an update in our contract?” he asks, his hand already snaking around my neck, then he pushes his fingers through my hair.

“I think so.”

A large smile gleams on his face. “Great, then shall we seal it with a kiss?”

“Sounds sensible.” I smirk. Pushing my better judgment aside, I focus on Zach. With deep, dark eyes, he’s watching my every move, hungry for me. It’s a sight I’m not used to, so I should relish in it.

He drops his lips to mine, tracing a thumb across my cheek as he kisses me slowly, testing the waters to make sure I’m into it. I dig my nails into his biceps as he teases me with his tongue.

It doesn’t take long for his kisses to feel ferocious, and he grinds his body against mine. I want to dip my head back, but Zach holds me in place, making me feel insatiable. He pushes me until the back of my thighs hit the dresser.

“Zach,” I breathe against his mouth, and his lips curve into a smile as he drags them across my jaw to the column of my neck.He pokes his tongue out with a few tentative swipes, and I’m right there.

I want it. I want him so bad.

The more he kisses me, the more I think he’s right. We won’t work outside the confines of this bet, so I should just enjoy it. After all, I deserve a couple of climaxes after everything Jamie put me through.

Zach answers my moan by capturing my lips, then lifts me by my thighs and places me on the dresser. Stepping between my legs, he drapes his body across mine and grinds against my center. Grasping the ends of his hair, I pull at the strands, moaning.

My eyes roll to the back of my head, and I can’t stop thinking about where this will end or if I ever want it to.

He breaks our kiss. “Are you sure about this?” he asks, giving me an out. Oddly, as his hand sits on his belt, I almost think he wants me to take it even though we just agreed to this. Even thoughIsuggested it.

Feeling the pulse in my lips from our kisses, I nod. “Because I will want more once we do this.” At least it’s not just me. “And our deal is until prom.”

“That’s three months away.” I swallow. Am I strong enough to last three months without catching feelings for Zach? Haven’t I already?

“Exactly. So, is this what you want? Because if it isn’t, we can pretend your birthday and the janitor’s closet never happened. We can go back to how things were at the beginning. Just kissing in public.”

Fat chance of that happening, and I can tell that’s not what Zach wants either. There’s no way I’ll be able to handle kissing him like that without something for the next few months.

He sighs in relief, picks me up, and drops me off on the fluffy white bed. “Do you know how much I’ve thought about this?”His eyes roam every part of my body like he’s trying to commit this moment to memory. “About you.” My heart flutters, but I try to hold back from showing any emotion. “Ever since that first night we kissed. I can’t get the taste of you off my mind.”

Sitting up, I shuffle up the bed. “Where are you going, Peanut?” He grabs both of my ankles and pulls me closer. When I’m at the edge of the bed, he bends my legs and spreads them wide so he can fall between them.

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