Page 18 of Crave

Iran into the dark and the writhing crowds still drunk and high from Adam’s performance. I ran back to my friends and the shimmer of safety, though I knew he’d find me.

I counted on it. It was part of the game.

Flushed, I grabbed the drink Elle handed me and tried to breathe normally. “Did you see him?” she asked me under her breath, trying to be cool.

I nodded and sipped my martini. “Yeah, He’s on his way.”

Daisy and Gabriella pushed into our circle and Elle’s face smoothed out. I trusted Elle with our secret and knew no matter how hard it was, she had my back. I just needed a little more time.

“Adam was incredible,” Daisy shouted. She was wearing cute pigtails and a lace baby doll dress that was both sexy and adorable. She was a bit drunker than usual, but I know her shiftsat the hospital were sometimes brutal. Gabriella flung her arms around all of us and gave a hoot, cracking us up. She was in a great mood, excited about her up and coming launch for her own shopping app she’d been working on. With Elle leaning into her music, I thought again how important the showDumpedwas. Everyone was making a big career move. How could I be the last one with nothing? If I didn’t do the show, what would be my defining mark?

Red was great but not for long-term. Maybe Adam had made a point about re-exploring my writing, but I wasn’t ready to dive in and give up everything I’d been trying to build with my social media and modeling.

“Let’s do shots, bad bitches!” Gabby shouted, and I pushed my negative thoughts aside. Not tonight. Tonight, I was riding high with my girls.

Tonight, I was playing games with Adam and no matter who won, I was going to get fucked.

Which means, I won either way.

The guys got us green tea shots and then we were dancing, and finally I caught sight of Adam. He stood encircled by Max, Noah, and Coop, as they slapped his back and seemed to be congratulating him on the performance. I watched him from my peripheral vision as I dirty danced with my friends, and then his gaze shifted slightly to crash into mine. His lower lip tipped in a hint of a smile. His dark eyes were hooded with a very bold, dirty promise.

My breath caught and the blood in my veins turned lava hot. Gabby’s curvy, sweat-dampened body brushed my aching breasts, while Elle’s ass pressed into mine as she twerked. I was so turned on I almost moaned. My skin felt prickly and sensitive. My inner thighs were wet. My hard nipples practically fell out of my low-cut top, teasing the silky fabric, until I was desperate forAdam’s lips to suck hard while his teeth scraped in a delicious teasing caress.

And he knew. His hand casually brushed the front of his pants, and I saw his erection clearly outlined in those tight black pants. He nodded and pretended to be talking to Noah and Coop, but I knew he was watching me, liking the show I put on for him.

A sexy, grindy hip-hop song belted through the speakers and I put my hands on Gabby’s hips, arching my back and shimmying in an erotic display. Gabby followed my lead, her hands caressing my ass as she threw her long red hair back, a big smile stretching her lips, sinking into the sexual dance with me. Elle joined us, and suddenly the dance floor parted, making more room for the spectacle we were suddenly putting on. In my half drunken, aroused state, I noticed Daisy diving in, and suddenly, she was leaning in and kissing Elle while the crowd roared in approval.

My body soared with a dark freedom I’d always craved, and I let myself go. Gabby leaned in and then we were kissing, while all four of us danced and swayed, letting go of any limitations during those perfect moments, lost in the music and each other.

The song ended, and the guys appeared, eyes glassy with lust and alcohol, shaking their heads and whistling at the scene we’d just starred in. “What the hell was that and how do we get more of it?” Coop asked, snagging Elle around the waist and pulling her into his embrace.

Gabby rolled her eyes. “Typical. We weren’t putting on any show—just enjoying being female. For us.”

I high fived Gabby and Daisy nodded. “Well said,” Daisy said, giving Noah a hard stare. I glanced back and forth, studying Noah’s face in the flashing lights, but he smiled and took her hand like there was nothing wrong. She had a tiny smear of Elle’s lipstick on her face. I watched as Noah used his thumb to wipe itaway, then put his thumb to his lips. They stared at one another, then Daisy looked away.

Hmm. Something weird was going on. Once I sobered up, I needed to have a talk with Daisy.

Gabby threw her arms around Adam’s neck. “You were incredible. You can’t go to LA; I’ll miss you too much.”

He hugged her back, but I wasn’t jealous. My gut told me they didn’t have a sexual type relationship and never would. But Gabby was very physical, and liked touch. It was another reason we’d gotten off to such a rocky start—I wasn’t cool with her approach but now that I knew her, I’d settled.

“Won’t be gone too long—only a month. When are you launching your fashion empire?”

“Soon.” Gabby turned and motioned me over. “Landon, I know you’ll be filming but I kept forgetting to ask if you wanted to model for me. I need a variety of body shapes and skin tones. You down?”

“Of course.”

“It’s a paying gig. I won’t make you stand for hours in hot lights for charity.”

I winked. “We already made out, Gabby. I’ll do anything for you now for free.”

“Oh, no worries, you can be my sweet little whore and I’ll pay you,” she said with sass, breaking into laughter.

I laughed with her, but noticed Adam’s eyes darkened. I loved being the only one who knew our secrets, and Gabby’s remark hit close to home. I knew my performance had done exactly what I’d intended.

Driven Adam crazy. Showed him if he wanted to claim me, he had to be bold. Kissing Gabby on the dance floor was a sweet way to push boundaries.

As if Gabby knew what was happening between us, she tossed her hair back and pursed her lips. “She’s a good kisser, Adam. Too bad you missed out.”

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