Page 48 of The Game

“Wait.” He pulls back, hips stilling their movement. “We shouldn’t.”

I’m panting and desperate by now. “Why not?”

“Because this isn’t what we agreed to. I don’t expect this.”

I sit back on my thighs, needing a bit of space between us, but I can still feel him between my thighs. “What if we change the rules?”

His mouth parts, brow tightening. I can see the conflict in his eyes, and I want to chase it away. Take advantage of this moment, and each other. I haven’t been with anyone for too long. Haven’t wanted to. But here, now. I want to, but only if it’s with him. Because I feel safe with him. There are boundaries and respect and even friendship between us. And I trust him, which is something I wasn’t sure I would ever feel for a guy again.

“I don’t know. Is that a good idea? Wouldn’t that mess up everything we’ve got going here?” He raises a hand to his hair,and I follow the movement. The softness felt so good sliding between my fingers. I want to feel it again.

I give him a smile that I hope is a little sexy and a little sassy. “Tonight is Halloween, after all. Technically, we’re not even Jazmin and Cole. What if we explored things just for tonight? See how it goes. If we don’t think it’s going to work, we can move on and go back to our previous arrangement. Unless… unless you’re not interested?”

What if he’s not actually into me like that? A mortifying heat threatens to set my face on fire, and I squirm a little. But the groan that rumbles through his chest at the movement seems like pretty solid proof.

“Trust me, Coffee Girl. Attraction is not the issue. I haven’t felt like this since…” He trails off, dropping a set of impossibly thick inky lashes over his eyes.

Since? I’m not sure I want to ask that question. The answer might be too much. I’m sure he’s slept with other girls since he broke up with her, so whatever he’s talking about might be a little too much for me right now.

I’m shifting off his lap, ready to put some distance between us when he grabs my hips, yanking me back until I’m pressed so tight against him, I can feel his heart beating. He shifts, opening those eyes again to show me their liquid depths.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah.” His hands slide below my thighs and he’s on his feet in one swift movement that sends the porch swing rocking. “Let’s go up to my room.”

I’m bouncing in his arms as he heads for the front door with a determined stride. Seems like once he’s made up his mind, he means business.

I smack at his shoulders. “Put me down, Cole!”

“No.” The firm tone of his voice jolts straight to my already overheated pussy.

“Seriously, you can’t carry me through the party like this?”

“Why not? You are my girlfriend, aren’t you? At least to everyone in there. It’ll really drive that point home. Good PR, you know.”

I reach down, tugging at the spandex fabric of my skirt that is riding dangerously high on my thighs. Another inch and way too much of my ass is going to be on display given the thong I had to wear with the tight skirt.

“Everyone is going to see my ass.”

He glances down to the place where his hands are gripping my bare thighs. “Well, shit. That won’t do. I’m the only one that gets to see this juicy ass tonight. Sorry about that.”

He lets me slide down his body, which stokes the fire inside, but I at least feel a little more comfortable now that I can tug the skirt down over my exposed cheeks. He even helps me tug it a little lower, smoothing his palms down my legs as he goes. The rough skin sends another shiver through me.

I loop my arm through the elbow he’s holding out for me, and we head back into the fray to run the gauntlet of partygoers. Not sure if it’s just the contrast with the still night air or if the party did in fact increase a few decibels since we left, but I’m happy to see that everyone is having a good time.

Amira and Trinity make a beeline for us. “Hey, Jazz. We got tickets to Niche tonight for their big Halloween bash, so we’re going to head over there now. Thanks so much for inviting us, though. We had a great time. You too, Cole.” She smiles at him. “It was great to meet you.”

“Thanks for coming.”

Her right brow arches in a slight curve as he tugs me in closer, sliding a hand around my waist over the sensitive bare skin.

“Have fun,” she singsongs.

The heat that’s been simmering creeps up my neck.

“Good night, Amira, Trin. Have fun at Niche.”

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