Page 4 of Zone Protection

Leaning in a little closer to him, I say, “Yeah, I guess so. These parties aren’t really my thing, but it’s been a stressful week, so my friends insisted on getting me out tonight. How about you? Are you having fun?”

“Sweetness, I’m always having fun. Even better now that I’m talking with you,” he says a little too smoothly.

“Ha! Look, I know who you are. Everyone on campus knows who you are. If you’re looking for a hookup, you don’t need to use fancy lines. Just come out and say it.” I turn my head toward where my friends are dancing.

What am I doing? I’m not one to flirt or play games with any guy. When I want a hookup, I’m pretty clear about it, so I don’t know why I’m acting flustered and kind of bitchy. I don’t mean to be. And I’m also a big fat liar. I absolutely wouldn’t mind hooking up with him.

Lifting his hand up, he reaches for my face and cups my cheek while his other hand takes hold of my waist. “Hey, darlin’.”

He guides my face to look at him, then drags his fingers to my chin and tilts it up. When I finally look at him, that heat, it’s back.

His smirk falls, and he sucks in a breath. “Goddamn. You are fucking beautiful.”

I huff out a laugh. “Yeah, okay, player.” But I don’t move away.

He brings his hand back up to my cheek. “I’m dead serious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so pretty.”

We’re locked in a staredown when a slower song comes on.

“Dance with me.”

He strokes his hand from my face to my waist and pulls me into him. Instead of moving away, I wrap my arms around his shoulders.

We’re dancing together, and neither one of us has taken our eyes off each other. I’m not sure what it is about him, but I like the way it feels to be in his arms.

I can’t help but drift my hands over his shoulder muscles and to his back, winding my arms around his neck. My breasts are brushing against his chest, and I can feel his warmth through his shirt and mine.

He moves his hands from my waist to my lower back, drifting a little lower. I’m not gonna stop him, so he keeps sliding his hands down until they’re cupping my ass.

He pulls me in a little closer, and our noses practically touch. “You wanna have some fun with me, darlin’?”

My tongue peeks out and touches my top lip, and then I lookover at my friends. Mia gives me a nod and a wide smile while Peyton gives me two thumbs-up and smiles. Livi … she’s sucking face with the guy she was dancing with. I roll my eyes at them, but smile and rest my forehead on Archie’s chest.

“So, you know who I am, but I don’t know your name. Are you gonna tell me?” he asks, tipping my chin up with his finger.

When I meet his eyes again, butterflies flutter around my belly like they’re having a party that only Archie is invited to. He smiles at me, like a real smile, not alet me get in your pantiessmile, and I’m done. I surrender all the panties to this man.

“Emma. My name is Emma.” My hands slide from his neck to the sides of his face. “So, Archie Griffith, are you gonna keep giving me lines, or are we gonna have some fun?”

He leans in a little closer to my face, close enough to kiss me. “That’s up to you. I’m more than ready to have some fun with you,Emma.”

No guy has ever made me feel like this. Regardless, this can only be one night.

I level with him. “Here’s the deal. My friends dragged me out because, like I said, it’s been a shit week. But what the hell? Maybe my friends are right, and I just need a good lay. Do you think you’re up for that, Archie?”

I’m so close to him now; I can feel his breath on my lips.

“Oh, I’m up for it. You gonna let me kiss you? I really want to taste those lips.”

Instead of answering him, I lean in and kiss him. If I thought his eyes and smile did me in, nothing could have prepared me for this kiss. Our tongues tangle almost immediately, and there’s no way in hell he doesn’t feel this too.

It’s electric.

His hands grab on to my ass, and he pulls me in even closer. I can feel his hard-on through his jeans, and I think … he might not be wearing boxers. Just that thought alone makes me moan into his mouth, feeling a bit feral. I’m completely lost in him and practically forget where we are when he pulls back.

His blue eyes are dancing with mischief and sexual energy.

“Do you want to go upstairs?” I ask him.

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