Page 7 of Obligation
His gaze darted to her mouth, then back up to her eyes. “Something like that.”
“Okay, I’ll bite.” She stood, her chest pressed to his, her arms around him, and stared up into his tantalizing eyes. She shouldn’t even think about asking the question that danced on the tip of her tongue, but the words were out before she could stop herself. “What’s your price for another kiss?”
Chapter Three
When Bradly’s friend and roommate told him about this opportunity to participate in a sorority initiation task, he’d been skeptical. He really wasn’t the kind of guy to go around kissing random women, but considering he knew no one here, he figured this might be a good chance to meet people. And was he damn glad he’d agreed.
The first couple of pledges who’d tried to kiss him weren’t his type, but this girl—Carissa—she was everything he wanted. Gorgeous, polite, smart, sarcastic, and she could hold a conversation for more than twelve seconds without needing to check her phone. And she was a hell of a kisser. God, he’d never been so turned on by a kiss before.
“What’s your price for another kiss?” she asked breathlessly, and a surge of pride swelled in him.
He’d been the one to steal her breath, to make her words airy and her voice thick with need. “A date,” he said without hesitation.
“Oh.” Her face fell, and she stepped out of his embrace.
Everything in him wanted to yank her back into his arms, but he refrained. His stomach twisted, and he took a small step back. Whatever she was about to say wasn’t going to be good; he could tell by the look on her face.
“Carissa!” A tall girl with long hair strode down the length of the porch. “I did it! I found a guy with an X and kissed him.” She laughed.
“That’s great, Tiff.” Carissa smiled. “I did, too!” She grabbed his hand and held it up.
Her touch sent a spark up his arm, but he remained still so she wouldn’t stop.
“Oh.” Tiff’s eyes widened, and her gaze darted from Carissa to Bradley. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t,” Carissa said quickly and released her hold on his hand.
“Okay…” Tiff dragged out the word. “Do you wanna go or…?”
“Um, I don’t care.” Carissa glanced at Bradley, and he shoved his hands into his pockets.
He didn’t want her to go, but she’d been about to reject him, and he really didn’t want to have that uncomfortable conversation. Especially not now when her friend was here.
“I should probably get going, too,” he said. As his father always said, “Better to go out on top.”
“Right.” Carissa nodded.
“Well, on that note,” Tiff hooked her thumb over her shoulder, “I’ll go grab our stuff and meet you back out here?”
“Sure.” Carissa smiled again, but the gesture was forced. Once Tiff was gone, Carissa turned her big, gorgeous hazel eyes on him. “Well, um, thanks.”
“Believe me, the pleasure was all mine.” He glanced down, then back up. Should he ask for her number? Would she give it to him? She hadn’t exactly been excited when he said he wanted to take her out.
“I don’t know,” she said, the playful teasing returning to her voice. “I think the pleasure was mutual.”
He couldn’t stop from smiling. “Oh yeah?” He lifted a brow. “Maybe we should try again, just to be sure.”
She gave him a sexy, flirty smile and inched closer. “And how much is that going to cost me?”
Not a damn thing.But he didn’t say that. Instead, he eased his arm around her waist and jerked her against him. She gasped but didn’t try to get away. Brushing a lock of hair from her face, he cupped her cheek and lowered his mouth. Her eyes fluttered closed, and in that split second, he knew she was granting him permission. But before his lips could make contact with hers, her cell phone rang.
She jumped back, glanced at the screen, and frowned. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.” She swiped her thumb to accept the call. “Hey. No, we’re still here.” She paused. “They threw a small party to celebrate. No, it’s nothing like that.” She chewed her bottom lip, paced a few steps away, her back to him. “Will you please stop it? No. I was going to call you as soon as I got back to my room. Yes. Yes. We’re getting ready to leave now.”
Even though he knew eavesdropping on a private conversation was bad manners, he couldn’t help himself. Who was Carissa talking to? A boyfriend? He hoped the hell not. Maybe an overprotective parent? He knew what that was like. Whoever was on the other side of that call had her visibly upset, her back and shoulders tight with tension.
A moment later, she spun around and forced a smile in his direction. “Sorry about that.” She tucked her phone back into her purse. “Thanks again for playing along tonight.”
“Any time,” he said, hoping she’d come closer so they could finish what they’d started.
