Page 31 of The Holiday Hookup

“Zo! You in for a game of pong?” The guy that answered the door when I arrived is standing at the patio door, looking directly at Lorenzo, as if I’m not even here. Lorenzo slides his hands off my knees, taking a small step back.

“Nah, maybe later.” The guy gives me a brief glance before returning outside. I hear the music lightly from here, but I’m grateful they’re not blasting it.

“Why do they all call you Zo?”

He shrugs. “That’s what my friends call me.”

Friends.“Oh.” I guess I’m not his friend, then. I don't know what I am.

Lorenzo lifts my chin with a finger. “You can call me Zo if you want.”

I beam at him, drunk enough that I don’t care to express my feelings. “Come on, let’s go play pong! I was doing so well.”

“Drink more water first.” I don’t like that he’s making demands of me, but I figure it’s probably a good idea. “And if I have to step away, don’t go wandering. Stay with Larissa or Maria.”

“Who’s Maria?”

“She was playing pong against you and Larissa.”So that’s her name.

“I don’t think she liked me,” I confess.

“She doesn’t like most people. Don’t worry about it.”

There’s something in his voice that makes me want to question him, but I refrain.

Chapter Ten

December 31st

LarissaandIlostboth rounds of shot pong to Lorenzo and Santi, the guy who opened the door for me when I first arrived. Turns out, he's the host of this party. Despite our losses, Larissa and I would hug and high five each time we made a shot. She was just as friendly as earlier, and I find that I'd really like to get to know her. Santi remained standoffish, particularly when Lorenzo would wink at me from across the table.

It didn’t bother me the way it should, though. Between the level of drunkenness I’ve now reached and the giddiness from Lorenzo’s flirting, I couldn’t be bothered by his strange behavior. When Lorenzo landed the ball in the last cup, I held his gaze as I took the shot, the cinnamon whiskey burning down my throat and making me wanthiscinnamon taste instead.

Lorenzo walks up to me as Larissa pretends to cry over losing. He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into him. I inhale deeply and sigh. I’m not sure if it’s because I already have cinnamon on my breath, but he smells more like smoke now. He brings his lips to my ear and whispers, “Come with me.”

He links his hand with mine, this time interlaced, and pulls me into the house. The need for secrecy drowned in the Fireball. He leads me past the kitchen and down a hallway, opening the first door on the right. As soon as he closes the door, I stumble into him, crashing my lips onto his.

He meets me with equal fervor, our tongues clashing and swirling against each other. I moan and a rumble erupts from his chest. I don’t have it in me to pretend that I don’t want this, because I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something so badly.

“Even greedier than last time, I see,” he murmurs against my lips. I grin in response, feeling so light and carefree. I just want to get lost in him.

“Do what you promised. Ruin me.” I say between heated kisses.

“First time wasn’t enough for you?”

“I want more.”

We keep our lips moving between our words. He guides us to the bed and pulls me onto him seamlessly, our mouths never parting.

“Why can’t we do this at one of our places?”

“That feels too…” he breaks off the kiss and stares into my eyes, brushing a curl back. “Intimate.”

I laugh. “You make no sense to me.”

“I’ve been told that once or twice.” He brings his lips to mine but I pull back, placing my hands on his chest to peer down at him.

“Are you just sleeping with a bunch of people?” I came here for answers, and I need to get them.

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