Page 56 of Never You

I rest my cheek against her temple, then fold my arms around the small of her back. She breathes out, relaxing in my grasp, and I’m not sure if it’s in defeat or contentment. But she slowly drops her weight against my chest and our bodies merge.

Guess I found trouble.

Having her this close to me, I want to cross the line I’ve never crossed. She entices me with her Bambi eyes and with everything she does.

Her blunt words are like a cold shower on a hot summer's day, completely freaking me out, but feeling so good once you’re used to it. My mind is telling me to run before either of us gets hurt, but my heavy heart keeps me locked in place like an anchor.

We stay quiet for a while, swaying our bodies together to the music like we’ve never done anything else. Her body fits with mine perfectly, like my missing jigsaw puzzle piece, while her hands rest on my biceps as if she’s claiming me unintentionally.

When Bodi finds my gaze, I can see his chest move with a heavy exhale, pursing his lips, before his eyebrows raise with a thumbs up.

I roll my eyes at him, not willing to let him ruin this moment. He shrugs, a smug look plastered on his lips, then drops his thumb over his shoulder, silently telling me he’s leaving. He takes another shot from the table, then mockingly forms a heart with his hands, bringing a smile to my lips, and I flip him off.

Jerk.

“Bodi’s leaving,” I tell her and she briefly lifts her head from my torso in his direction before dropping it back.

“He’s going to bed?”

“More like reading for another hour, before he falls asleep with a book on his face.”

She chortles. “He’d be a good match with Kayla.”

“Who’s Kayla?”

“My cousin. Mybestfriend.” I can almost feel her smile. “She is addicted to books. Studying English Lit at Stanford.”

“Yeah?” I whistle. “We should hook them up.”

“She’s also nineteen.”

“Then maybe not.” I rest my chin on her silky hair, closing my eyes with a smile.

This is stupid. Holding her against my body like this is stupid. And listening to the loud thumping of my heart, I’m going to do something stupid like falling for her if I’m not careful. But from all the stupid mistakes I made in my life, this is the only one I might be willing to accept all consequences for.

“Jensen.” Rae’s sweet voice reverberates against my chest, growing the arousal inside of me.

“Yeah?”

“I was ajudgmental little pain in the ass.”

Fazed by her confession, I pull my body back a little, wanting to look her in her eyes. She’s staring at me with big tipsy eyes, biting her lip innocently.

Fuck, she shouldn’t do that.

“You what now?” Amazement is audible in my voice, and she rolls her eyes.

“I’m not gonna say it again,” she says, then wraps her arms around my back, ending the conversation when she pulls me against her body once more.

A chuckle escapes my lips when I do the same, cupping the back of her head with my hand. My lips brush against her blonde hair, enjoying its softness.

“I heard you, baby.”

A hum comes from her chest, vibrating against my ribcage. Instead of speeding up, my heart rate slows, beating in union with Rae’s as I rest my chin on her head again.

“This is nice,” she muses. “I think I could stay like this forever.”

I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol that’s making her say things she normally wouldn’t, but either way, I can’t help smiling. I can’t help feeling the same. Wanting to bottle this moment forever.

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