Page 72 of Brittle Heart

“You’re such a little brat,” he whispers back, leaning closer so I can feel his hard cock pressing against my ass cheek. “We’ll eat, play nice for a bit, and then I’m going to take you upstairs and lick you everywhere until you beg me to kiss your bratty little mouth.”

Fuck. I push my ass back into him, and he groans softly. “Maybe you’ll be the one begging me to kiss you,” I reply with a smirk.

He snickers and kisses my neck. “Cut the cake, love.”

With everyone else served, I face Carolina. “Kitten, what’s your poison?” I ask her.

She shrugs nonchalantly. “Anything’s fine.”

Xander, who is still standing next to me, chimes in, “She likes chocolate. Give her a piece of that one.”

I raise an eyebrow at him, wondering how he would know that.

“You like chocolate?” Josh asks Carolina, and as I turn my attention back to them, I notice her blush.

“Sure, who doesn’t? Which one do you like?” she asks him.

“Chocolate,” he replies with a smile.

I can’t help but let out a huff. “As long as it’s sweet and not healthy, he likes it,” I say while cutting slices of chocolate cake for Carolina, Josh, and myself before handing them their plate.

“They say you are what you eat, and I’m sugary and delicious,” Josh quips, taking a bite of his cake.

I open my mouth to tell him that’s bullshit when Carolina chimes in, “If Clay was a spice, he’d be flour.”

Josh nearly chokes on his cake before he chuckles, and even Xander coughs behind me.

“I’ve heard better comebacks from a bowl of Rice Krispies,” I retort in a blasé tone.

Carolina lets out the tiniest breath of laughter, quickly biting her lips to conceal it. But I’ve already caught a glimpse. “Oh, kitten, look at you, laughing at my jokes, just like the best friends we are.”

“Your ability to ignore facts is astonishing,” she counters, placing her plate on the kitchen counter.

She took maybe one bite of it.

“Oh, come on. I know you give a fuck about me, about us. Why else would you be here?” I accuse, my voice filled with a touch of sincerity.

“I’m here because she…” Carolina points her thumb at Sophia, “… blackmailed me. And giving a fuck doesn’t go with my outfit.”

I roll my eyes so hard it makes Josh let out a laugh. Carolina glares at me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I roll my eyes out loud? Come on, kitten, I know you can do better. That wasn’t your usual level of prime sarcasm.”

“You think I’m sarcastic? You should hear what I don’t say,” she says.

“Oh my God, those two are hilarious! I don’t think I’ve ever heard her talk that much before, and I’ve seen her five days a week for the past three years. I had no idea she had a sense of humor,” someone whispers loudly, catching my attention.

Carolina’s head jerks to the right, and her eyes flick to Sophia’s friend Susanne. “Professor Summer,” she acknowledges with a brief nod, a hint of discomfort visible in her features.

I study Susanne, who is smiling at Carolina, but as I shift my gaze back to her, I notice that she’s turned bright red, her eyes focused on the floor.

She pulls out her smartphone, breaking the awkward silence. “I’m sorry, I have to go, or I’ll be late,” she says, addressing Sophia. “Thank you again for having me and for the present.”

“I can’t wait for our day,” Sophia says, pulling Carolina into a hug. “Thank you for coming.”

“It’s snowing heavily. How are you getting there?” Josh asks as Sophia releases Carolina.

“It’s okay. The subway station isn’t far. Thank you again. Enjoy the rest of your day,” Carolina says, making her way toward the hallway that leads to the door.

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