Page 179 of Always You

Fuck, I love him.

He chuckles, as the corner of his mouth curls up in that boyish grin that melts my walls quicker than I want them to.

“Never, babe.”

He leans in, and I suck in a breath, parting my lips while he slowly licks the ice cream from my nose. Heat flushes my neck in desire while I close my eyes as he migrates an inch down, his lips brushing mine, giving the smallest peck, and wiping away the clementine vanilla.

Slow.

Affectionate.

Sizzling.

And silently making me beg for more.

When he straightens his neck again, locking his gaze with mine, he bites his lip with a smug grin.

“Told you clementine vanilla is still my favorite flavor.”

Consequences be damned, I bring my cone to my face, looking up at him through my lashes, then part my lips, dragging my tongue seductively over my scoop. “I don’t know,” I say, my tone turning husky, “I’m really craving cookies.”

His eyes darken as he swallows hard, and we stand like that for what seems to be like forever; the world blurring around us, and the sound of everyday traffic muffled to a minimum while our lips almost touch.

“What the fuck?!” A familiar voice pulls me from our bubble, and I turn my head, my heart stopping when I look at the glaring face of Ben.

Oh, no.

“Ben!” I glance at Hunter, who presses his tongue against his cheek with a scowl as he takes a step back, clearly not wanting to, the muscles in his arms tightening.

I give my boyfriend a tight smile as guilt washes over me.Oh my god, what have I done?

“Is this youralonetime?” he roars.

“Hunter actually just tried to cheer me up by buying me ice cream. Ben, this is Hunter, my best friend. Hunt, this is Ben. My…” I can barely get the word out of my throat, because I know it’s a lie, but what does one call someone when you’re on a break anyway? “…boyfriend.” Hunter offers his hand, though not wholeheartedly, but Ben just glares at it, then turns his focus back to me.

“You always kiss your best friend?” he snarls. I hate the level of contempt that’s showered onto his features as he stares back at me with daggers in his eyes. But I know I deserve it. I know I’ve crossed a line I shouldn’t have, regardless of how I feel.

“No. Yes. No. I don’t know.” I shake my head, glancing from Ben to Hunter and back.

“Fuck this, Charlotte. Here I am, giving you space, thinking we’ll work it out. But really, you’re here kissing other guys.”

“Yo, that’s all me, man,” Hunter replies, hands up. “I overstepped. I apologize.”

Ben ignores Hunter, taking an angry step closer to me.

“You know you’re not the only one losing here,Charlotte.” His tone is condescending, bringing a shiver down my spine, and not in a good way. “This happened to both of us, yet you are the one being a selfishbitchabout it. So much for me trying to do the right thing, huh?”

“Hey!” Hunter barks, giving Ben a nudge to get him out of my face. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

“I’ll talk to her however I like.”

“Guys,” I plead.

A smile that doesn’t match his eyes land on Hunter’s face, and he clenches his jaw, taking an ominous step forward. He softly moves me out of the way, getting into Ben’s face while throwing his ice cream to the side as he balls his hands into fists.

I know this look.

It’s the look that gets him into fighting mode, preparing him to rip someone’s head off. Preferably as fast as possible, and without mercy.

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