Page 156 of Worthy

“Our parents—”

“Are not here.”

When did she move closer? I hold still while she settles beside me, one leg folded beneath her, one hanging over the side of the bed.

Stroking my hair from my shoulder, her fingers linger, and her touch burns and tingles as she leans in, ensuring I feel her breath on the crook of my neck. “I know you feel it, too.”

I turn my head and slowly lift my eyes until I’m locked in her gaze. “I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

“Yes, you did. Don’t lie.”

I’m taken aback, but before I can protest, she pulls the collar of my T-shirt away from my shoulder. Her lips descend, warm, soft, and so damn pretty.

“I know you don’t see it, but I’m trying to protect you.” I need her to understand why I keep pushing her away.

Her lips travel higher, closer to my neck. “No, you’re trying to protect yourself. You pretend you don’t care what people think of you, but I think you care far more than me now.”

My throat jumps. I ball my hands to stop myself from reaching for her. “Jessica…”

“Just feel.”

Sucking my earlobe between her teeth, she cups my chin and guides me to her tempting mouth. Our lips brush once… twice.

She smiles as she stares at my mouth. “Tasting you that night was worth the nightmares.”

“Our parents will never accept us. Your friends…”

“Then let’s be ostracized together.” Her teasing smile is dangerous. It’s too fucking easy to gravitate closer when, in reality, she doesn’t know what she’s asking. She’s always been perfect and admired by others. I’m used to rejection—she’s not. “I’m not what you want.”

Grabbing my chin hard, all traces of her smile dissipate. “I’m so fucking fed up with everyone telling me what I want and who I should be.”

“Will this make you happy?”

Her eyes flick up to mine. “Do you think you’re so unlovable? That it’s impossible for someone to want you?”

I wince when she digs her fingers in as if to prove a point.

“I wantyou,Melanie. I’m in love with you.”

“No.” I try to shake my head, but she won’t let me.

Crushing her lips to mine, she plunges her cold tongue—tasting of vanilla ice cream—into my mouth. It’s game over on my end. I’m soon clawing at her clothes, growling, “Off!”

She smiles into the kiss and breaks away to pull her tank top over her head, then she returns, palming the back of my neck. Her lips drown out all doubt. I’m a goner, lost in her.

“No boy could ever make me feel this way,” she breathes out between kisses as she snakes her hands beneath my crop top to palm my heavy breasts. I break away with a gasp, seeing my own desire reflected in her brown eyes.

Pinching my nipple through the lace of my bra, she steals another kiss. It’s hard, hungry, desperate. My crop top lands on the floor, followed by my bra. She takes a nipple in her mouth while squeezing my other breast.

How can anything feel as good as this? It’s impossible to stay away from her when she unleashes such a sweet assault on my body.

My head falls back between my shoulders as her hand trails lower, brushing over the sensitive skin of my stomach, which tightens in response.

She pops the button on my jeans. “Are you wet for me, baby?” The sound of my zipper rings out in the room.

“So wet,” I affirm, rocking against her, desperate to feel her touch. I need more pressure, more of her, more of everything.

Snaking her hand inside my panties, she smirks when I spread my thighs. “Such a good girl. Show me how much you want me to touch you.”

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