Page 11 of Charming Cruel Boys

Remi

Themusicisdeafeningas Sara, George and I make our way through the crowd. I can feel several pairs of eyes tracking my every move and it sends shivers down my spine. “I cannot believe I let you talk me into wearing this,” I hiss behind Sara, holding her hand so I don’t get lost between dancing bodies.

“Oh, stop. Remi, you are on fire tonight. Look at all the attention you’re getting!” she shouts over her shoulder, waving her free hand out at the groups of guys from school watching us closely.

George nods and agrees, already casing out the few options he has for hookups. He’s been out and open about his sexuality since middle school, but the pickings are slim. He raved last year when Brandon Mortus got drunk at a party and agreed to let George top him in a spare room. George described the entire night in such vivid detail that I swear I was actually watching gay porn. I didn’t hate it.

I sweep my eyes over the large living room, silently cursing every time I meet a guy’s heated gaze. I tug my dress downagain. Sara squeezed me into a black, sparkly number that cuts off much shorter than I would have liked, threatening to show my panties if I bend over. My boobs are practically pushed up to my chin, my hair is in messy beach waves that flow almost to my butt, and my makeup is darker than I have ever worn it.

“I feel like a tramp,” I groan.

Sara glares at me. “But youaren’t. Let people think whatever they want. All I see is a sexy girl letting her hair down for the night. Okay?”

“Okay,” I agree, nodding half-heartedly.

Sara smiles, leading us to the large white kitchen for some booze. She pours the three of us a vodka shot and I throw mine back before slamming it down on the counter. “Another,” I say, ignoring the burning sensation in my throat.My first high school party may as well go off with a bang. Tomorrow, my life if turning to shit. Why the hell not drink a bit too much and enjoy myself for a few hours?

Sara pours me one more and watches me with a big smile as I gulp it down. Then she darts her eyes over my shoulder right before someone taps me from behind.

Turning around, I smile up at Sawyer. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself,” he says. He drops his gaze down my body. “You look... God, I’m in trouble.”

With liquid courage coursing through my veins, I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around his neck. “Sometimes trouble is fun,” I whisper with a saucy smile.

“Annnd that’s my cue to find my partner for the night,” George mutters beside me. He leans in, kisses my cheek in a sloppy wet move, and then whispers, “Give him hell, babe.” Then he turns and walks off, mingling in with the crowd of dancing teenagers.

Sawyer’s eyes darken when I turn my attention back to him, and he licks his lips. “I, uh, came over here to ask you something.”

“And what’s that, Sawyer?”

“It’s stupid. You can totally say no. But I was dared to kiss you.”

“Who would dare you to do a thing like that?”

“Knight,” he says, nodding over his shoulder and I swing my eyes over to the corner of the room. Knight is standing with his back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, his way-too-sexy biceps on full display. He arches a brow at me, a silent challenge, before flicking his eyes over to the living room.I follow his gaze and find Duke staring at me with a look full of anger.

He has absolutely no right to be angry, though. Thanks to Knight, I know all about the random hookups Duke’s been enjoying over the past year. If he can just drop me and move on, then I’ll do the same. I’m like ninety percent sure this is Knight’s way of trying to cause trouble, but I just can’t find it in me to care right now.

“Alright,” I tell Sawyer cheerily. He widens his chocolate-brown eyes and opens his mouth like he’s going to say something. Before either of us can overthink it, I lean in and press my lips to his.

Sawyer groans, lacing his fingers into my hair. I open my mouth for him and he sweeps his tongue in, meeting mine before he bites my lip. Our kiss turns a little frantic as I grab hold of his shirt, pulling him closer. One of his hands slips down and grabs my ass, squeezing and kneading the flesh.There’s some cheers and catcalls behind us and we pull away laughing.

Sawyer grins down at me, biting his lip in a purposefully seductive way. “That was one hell of a kiss.”

“At least I know your mouth has better uses than spouting awful pick-up lines,”I tease, unwrapping my arms from his neck and stepping back.

Sawyer leans in, brushing his lips against my ear. “My mouth can do all kinds of things,” he whispers smoothly, licking the shell of my ear.This guy, geez. Lucky is the lady who winds up with him. She’s just not me. That kiss confirmed it.

As much as my core tightens at his words, I’m not interested in taking things any further.Time to pump the brakes, Remi. Stepping back another few paces, I smile at him and hook my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to the bathroom. You should go dance,” I say, trying to hint that I’m not looking for anything more than a dared kiss.

Pushing through the dancing bodies, I eventually find a bathroom down a long hall and lock myself inside the second it’s free. My heart is beating wildly and my knees feel like they might give out on me.

That was the first time I’ve tasted another guy’s lips since Duke. And I liked it enough. I like Sawyer. But IlovedDuke. His touch, his kiss, did things to me that I don’t think I’ll ever feel again. Sawyer’s kiss was hot and heavy and had my mind going to a dirty place, but there wasn’t that spark between us that I felt with Duke.No connection other than physical attraction. That’s important to me.

Letting out a heavy breath, I go pee and wash my hands, giving myself a stern look in the mirror.Get over him, Remi. Duke’s forgotten all about you.When I open the door, there’s a long line of girls waiting. I must have been in there a while, having a mini-breakdown and being my typical hot mess self.

“Sorry,” I mutter as one girl glares at me.But come on, this house is huge; surely, there are other bathrooms.

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