Page 46 of Lust

“So what happened then?” Quinn asks. “After you punched him?” The look of curious excitement and shock on both their faces is almost worth going through this.

Almost.

I offer a nonchalant shrug. “He apologized.”

Quinn stares at me in disbelief. “Felix Barclay apologized? That's more unbelievable than him trying to kiss you.”

I shake my head. I can’t believe I’m reliving this. “He didn’t just try. His tongue was in my mouth.”

“Holy shit, babe.” Juliette falls back onto the bed, this time keeping the bottle upright.

I purse my lips. “You know what? I appreciate you both coming to see me, but I’m exhausted. My hand hurts and I just want to go to sleep and pretend this day never happened.”

Quinn pulls her arm from around my shoulder and holds my hand. “Are you sure you want us to go?”

“Not a chance!” Juliette interjects, sitting right back up. “We’re not leaving you alone tonight. I know for a fact these beds easily fit three full sized people. We’re staying with you. Right Quinn?”

Quinn gives a firm nod in agreement. “Right.”

I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful for my friends. A warm smile graces my lips. “I’ll grab you both some pajamas.”

“Atta girl!” Juliette heads to the bathroom while Quinn and I go to the massive closet.

“She knows for a fact thatat leastthree people can fit in these beds,” Quinn whispers with a grin.

“There’s something that girl isn’t telling us,” I admit, pulling two sets of pajamas out of a drawer and handing one to Quinn. “No point asking her. She’ll only give vague answers. What was so bad about your day?”

“What?” her eyes startle as though I’ve prodded her.

“You said earlier that you were having a bad day, too. Has something happened?

She turns away from me evasively. “Nothing much.”

I guess Juliette isn’t the only one with a secret.

After Juliette’s done in the bathroom, I go in and look at my face in the mirror. There’s a slight hint of my lips darkening in a bruise, where Felix slammed his lips against mine. I can practically still feel his lips on mine, his tongue probing my mouth.

I close my eyes and breathe against the quickening of my heart.

I liked it.

I actually liked it.

I’m ashamed to admit it, but I know for a fact I hesitated for half a second before punching Felix. Shame washes over me as I remember the moment my tongue touched his. I should have punched him sooner. I should have thrown the asshole off the edge way before his lips came into contact with mine. Why did I let it happen? I pull in a deep breath and wash my face. I’m victim-shaming myself. I wipe my face with a towel and take one last look at my reflection. I couldn’t have stopped it. He was way too quick, and I wasn’t lying when I told Juliette and Quinn he’d caught me off guard. How on Earth could I have predicted Felix kissing me? It’s as unimaginable as a snowstorm in the very fiery pits of Hell.

I give myself a determined nod and head back out in to the bedroom. “Shift over,” I say to Juliette, who seems to have taken up residence in the very centre of the bed. “You can sleep on the wet patch. I’m sure that’s something you’re used to by now.” I smirk as she shuffles over.

“Touché, bitch,” she says, grinning back. “but I’ve still got the champagne and now I’m not going to share.”

“It’s all yours.” I offer back.

Next to me, the bed lowers as Quinn crawls in the other side. We lay in silence, but I’m pretty sure neither is sleeping and as I close my eyes, all I can see is Felix Barclay’s shocked expression as he realizes what he did.

26

I SHOULD HAVE ORDERED POPCORN

QUINN

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