Page 131 of Something Rad
My throat bobs, a small smile coming to my lips. “You know what I mean,” I say. I clear my throat, trying to lighten the mood. “And, you know, aside from all that, I guess it’s been nice to have a chauffeur.”
Robbie’s brows raise. “Oh yeah? Is that all I am to you, Cooper?”
I shrug my shoulders playfully. “I mean, as much as I love walking, I suppose it hasn’t been entirely painful having a ride to places. Even if it has to be with you.”
Robbie cocks his head to the side, leaning in closer to me. “Is that so?”
I duck my head, letting out a chuckle. “Yep. I’ll admit it. I don’thateriding with you.” Robbie digs his fingers into my side, tickling me. I throw my head back in laughter, the spotlight shining right in my eyes. “Even if Journey is playing the entire time and there aren’t even storms going on outside to force me into it.”
Robbie’s feet slow, and, aside from my still swaying hips, we’ve almost stopped dancing entirely. His gaze is heavy on my face as he mutters something inaudible.
“What?” I ask.
“Storms,” he mutters. “I’ll be damned.”
I press my lips together, glancing down at Robbie’s still unmoving feet, and that seems to somewhat snap him out of whatever trance he’s in as he starts to dance with me again. “What are you talking about?” I question him.
“Storms,” Robbie says again, his lips pulling up at one side as he shakes his head. “That’s what your eyes look like. Two little storms.”
I tilt my head back to look at him. My lips part, but I’m at a loss for words. Apparently Robbie is as well, as he just continues to smirk at me, his eyes darting between mine. Goosebumps prickle the back of my neck and a heavy feeling settles low in my belly as he refuses to break my eye contact. I lick my dry lips, my mind racing.
“Do you think you should kiss me?” I blurt.
Robbie’s brows shoot up.
“Like you did before, I mean?” I clarify. “Since everybody’s watching?”
It’s Robbie’s turn to lick his lips now. He nods. “Sure, Cooper. Good idea.”
I drop my chin, shaking my hair forward to try to block people’s view as much as possible as Robbie cups my face with one hand, leaning down. Just like before, he doesn’t hesitate, not allowing anyone to question what’s happening. He waits until he’s a hair's width away from my mouth before his thumb glides up, pressing into the center of my lips just before his own lips come down over top. Once again, we’re not touching. But we’resovery close. I can feel the warmth of him, his scent invading my every sense.
I know if I pressed forward just the slightest bit, just applied the tiniest bit of pressure, my lips would brush his for real, and something about that knowledge sends heat flowing through me. I wrap my arms just a little tighter around Robbie’s neck, and I swear he groans against his thumb when I do it. The entire act makes my knees suddenly very weak and sends a fluttering pulse between my thighs.
Then, just like before, it ends as quickly as it begins. Robbie’s hand falls from my face and he stands back up to his full height, leaving me feeling satisfied in our mission but otherwise unexplainably empty.
I force myself to smile as a round of squeals sound from all of the girls around the dance circle, but I don’t look at them, keeping my eyes on Robbie’s and trying to decipher his unreadable expression. Still not successful after several seconds, I decide to break the silence.
“What about you?” I ask.
Robbie’s throat bobs, a tight smile coming to his face. “Whataboutme?”
“Do you feel like you’ve gotten some of your end of the bargain at least? With our…arrangement?”
“I do,” Robbie nods. “I really do, Cooper.”
“Well, as long as you’re satisfied.” I clear my throat, not meeting his eyes as I say what I’m about to say. “Denise looks really pretty tonight.”
Robbie’s dancing slows for just a moment. I’m still not looking at him, so I don’t know what his face looks like. “Yeah,” he agrees, his voice hoarse. “Yeah, I guess she does.”
I blow a slow breath out of my nose, my face feeling hot all of the sudden. “I didn’t see Jesse with her earlier. I wonder where he is.”
Robbie’s fingers flex against my hip, but I don’t react to it. “They–eh… They broke up.”
My heart feels like it drops to the floor as I snap my head up to look at him. “Theywhat?”
Robbie shrugs his shoulders, his jaw tight.
“When did this happen?” I ask, blinking.
