Page 22 of Until We Kiss

“I’m not looking for anything serious,” I say.

He laughs softly. “I didn’t think you were. Let me show you something.”

He sparks with this kind of confidence that’s bone deep. Like there’s no need to waffle around what he wants.

This is what I wanted. The hard thump of my heart confirms it, the tension along my shoulders, and the contractions of my abs as I let his fingers slip into mine. His hand is cool, mine clammy.

His brows rise halfway. “You can say no.”

“Yes.” I croak out the word. “I want to sayyes.”

“A’lrighty.” His brown eyes crinkle at the corners, Adam’s apple moving under the tattoos on his throat.

He leads me out of the line toward the rear of the tent, and I follow.

I want this.

I want this.

I want this.

Right?

He leads me to a set of gated stairs behind the tents, and as we climb, I force my eyes to linger on the ink on his triceps—visible in his tank top—the hang of his board shorts on his hips, and the flip of his sandals.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Getting a better view.” He twists to look at me. “Don’t worry, I won’t lead you astray.”

A thrum settles low in my gut as I climb the stairs, my cock thickening in something like anticipation. And maybe a bit of confusion too.

We come out at the top of the stairs, into open air. A rooftop that overlooks the bars and the beach.

“Holy shit,” I murmur, stepping over to the railing and looking down. It’s just the two of us, the entire beach laid out below. Neon necklaces bob in the darkening light, bodies swirl in the shadows.

“Beautiful, innit?” His melodic accent warms his voice.

“Yeah, it kinda is.” I grip onto the railing.

“So…” Maxim’s voice is right next to my ear, and the tendons along my neck tighten. “What do you want, handsome?”

What do I want? My dick is somewhat hard, shoved against the seam of my shorts, the back of my neck tickling with his breath.

I want this.

Don’t I?

I mean, it’s what I’ve?—

A voice echoes across the crowd.

I don’t even know how I hear it, but I do. Ialwayshear him. Above everything and everyone else.

Before I can stop myself, I search, and Iseehim. I can’t fucking help it. Carter’s laughing, loud and excited like he does, decked out in yellow neon, his arm slung over a girl next to him, whipped cream all over his chest.

I stare, my pulse stilling, my legs wooden, my knee so stiff that it aches.

He laughs again, and then she pushes to her toes and kisses him.

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