Page 68 of Broken Bonds

She handed me a beer while Ryan passed one to Ace. Bringing the bottle to my lips, I took a long sip, the cool liquid rushing down my parched throat.

“Thanks, Amber.” She smiled at me, knowing I was thanking her for more than just the beer.

An hour later, Ryan was carrying me up the stairs, all of us eager for bed. He brought in a blow-up mattress for Amber to sleep on, throwing one at Ace for him to sleep on in his room. I watched from my bed as Ryan and Amber set up the mattress, both blushing when their hands accidentally touched.

It made me just a tiny bit angry that Ryan could openly flirt with my best friend, but he refused to extend the same courtesy to his own.

Amber helped me get comfortable, bringing her bed close to mine in case I needed anything, even though I declined profusely. “I’ll be okay, I promise.”

“Better to be prepared. Wake me if you need anything, babe.” Amber turned off the small light beside my table just as my phone vibrated. Reaching over, I grabbed the device.

Seeing a text from an unknown number, I opened it, my heart pounding nervously.

Unknown: I want to kiss you again.

Who the hell texts someone this?

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: How many guys have you been kissing lately, princess?

Me: Asshole, is that you?

Butterflies erupted in my stomach. He wanted to kiss me again. He wastextingme, even though my brother might readour messages. He really wanted this with me. I quickly added his contact to me phone, smiling at the name I gave him.

Mr. Asshole: The one and only.

Me: I want to kiss you too.

Mr. Asshole: Goodnight, baby girl.

Me: Goodnight Ace.

Switching the phone off, I placed it quietly on the bedside table.

“What has you grinning like an evil witch about to eat a poor, fat child?” Nearly jumping out of my skin, I looked down at Amber through the little bit of moonlight that had filtered into the room through the slit in my curtains.

I laughed. “Nothing, you weirdo.”

“Could it possibly be a sexy guy in the room next door who was totally giving you ‘fuck me’ eyes earlier?” she playfully asked.

I rolled my eyes, even if my cheeks heated. “It’s definitely him.” I sighed. “I’m in so much trouble, Amber.”

“Why?”

I rolled onto my back to stare up at my dark ceiling, my heart in my throat. “Because he’s going to break my heart; I just know it.”

chapter twenty-five

I couldn’t stop thinking about her. About how those blue eyes cut straight through my shit, stopping me from spewing all sorts of lies to get away from her. And those pink, plump lips that were sweet as candy. I could kiss her all day. Touch her all day. Watch her fall apart for meall fucking day.

Once I had tasted those luscious lips, I was a goner. With lips so sweet, she had me begging for more. I couldn’t get her off my mind. Sheconsumedme.

Staring at the ceiling of Ryan’s dark room, his snores filling the quiet air reminded me of why I shouldn’t be thinking about her, why I shouldn’t want her. But wanting her and thinking about her were inevitable.

Closing my eyes, I only saw her smile, her beautiful pink lips curved in a way that took my breath away every time she flashed it at me.

Celine Wilson—my best friend’s little sister.

---