Page 75 of Filthy Little Pretties
“Check this off my list—what was that all about with you and Grey at lunch? You know, with his dad.”
Her eyes cut to mine as she lifts her fingers to her lips and pretends to lock them shut.Oh, so you are loyal to some. Interesting. I’d assumed she was only patron to herself. My eyes narrow on her. “You’re a bad ‘almost’ friend.”
She shrugs and turns her attention to the people who are gathering around as Kai whistles and waves them over. He’s like a ringmaster tending to a circus of fools and rich assholes. He raises a red Solo cup in one hand and throws up his middle finger toward the opposite side of the river.
“Fuck Red Oak!”
Mimicked sentiments are bellowed out, making Caroline laugh. Her name is called by a group of girls I don’t know with the exception of Laura. She turns, leaving me without a goodbye. I blink a few times thinking“Bye”and laugh to myself. Looking back to Kai’s enigmatic smile, I’m surprised when Liam comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder, snuggling in.
“So how does it feel to be the big winner?”
“Fucking awesome, but even better that your lips are my prize.”
My stomach flips, my hands tightening around his muscular forearms. I hadn’t forgotten, or maybe I had because suddenly I can’t function. I’m supposed to kiss Liam.
Kai’s voice booms over the crowd, “Listen up.” His face is lit by the crackling fire as he jumps onto a rock protruding from the ground. He raises his cup again, the crowd falling silent, enthralled by his charisma. Turning his diabolical attention to Liam and me, he smirks.
“Our beautiful Donovan Kennedy has promised to bestow a kiss on our very own Liam Brooks. But only if we won today. Give the man his prize!”
Cheers and hoots begin to drown out the voice of reason in my head. Kai laughs and waves at the crowd to be silent again, before taking another gulp of his drink as panic fills my body. I didn’t think this moment would be such a spectacle. I didn’tthink,that’s the problem.
“Don’t make us beg,” Kai chides, egging on the fevered crowd. I narrow my eyes at him, but he begins to chant silently, letting the crowd join in and creating a symphony of demand.
“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.”
I squirm out of Liam’s grasp and turn to look at him. I can’t do this, no matter what any of these assholes want. His sweet eyes stare down at me, the hint of a smile on his lips, and all I can see is his affection. It’s more than friendship but less than heartbreak.
It’s so charmingly Liam.
My eyes search his as his fingertips brush the side of my covered arms. He raises both eyebrows in question.Always so thoughtful.The noise drops off, not because it isn’t there but because we’ve fallen into our own little bubble. Me and Liam. The boy who always makes me laugh, will forever stick up for me, and the one who would give me a piggyback ride for life if I asked. He’s sincere and pure, and it makes me smile too. Suddenly what felt wrong feels natural. I don’t want to deny him even if I should.
I raise to my tiptoes, crawling my hands up Liam’s chest as he lowers his head to me, but I skirt his lips, pressing a kiss to his smooth cheek. His laughter hums against my face as I say, “Congratulations.”
There are a few “Boos” but mostly “Ooo’s” as I pull away, smiling at him, relieved that I didn’t lose myself. Maybe in another life I’ll kiss him, but it won’t be in front of a bunch of dicks frothing at the mouth for some PG-13 action.
He takes my chin between his forefinger and thumb, pursing his lips before he speaks, “No way, Van. You promised me more thanthatkiss. Let’s go.”
Shit.
Applause breaks out as Liam grabs my hand and tugs me through the crowd.
“Well, damn. Don’t count him out yet,” Kai calls out as we pass him.
Liam pulls me up the small grassy hill toward the tree I sat under to watch them the other day. I can barely keep up with his long strides as I giggle.
“Slow down. You’re crazy. What are we doing?”
He pulls us behind the wide solid oak with stark hanging branches, encasing us in the darkness, and my laughter fades as reality sets in.Fuck.His intention is everywhere, all over me, in my thoughts, and filling the space like a fog.
Our concerted breaths are the only noise we can hear as he places a hand on my stomach, pressing me back against the bark slowly. My eyes struggle to adjust as the heat from his body closes in on me, warming my chest and beyond. Jesus, he smells like a mixture of sweat and soap. It’s making my head spin.
“Liam…what are you doing?”
“You know what I’m doing.”
“This is a bad idea. We agreed.”
The rest of my words stick, barely making it over the lump in my throat as my chest rises and falls quickly. A million butterflies in my stomach flutter so hard that I feel paralyzed.He’s going to kiss me.I don’t lift my head as I lick my lips, too chicken to dare him by putting my mouth on display.
