Page 2

When River collects our cups and leaves to dispose of them, I have a momentary lapse where I almost tell Lyric how badly I would like to fuck her brother, but thankfully, even drunk, my brain recognizes that maybe it’s best if I keep that little piece of information to myself.

The minutes bleed together. The pulse of the music. The heat of the room. The burn of the alcohol in my veins.

River is careful to keep a few inches between him and everyone else, keeping a steady eye on our surroundings like he’s afraid someone might try to slip up on his sister. I think it’s cute—his overprotectiveness—even if it is misguided. Lyric may look innocent, but she can handle her own. Of that, I’m sure.

It isn’t until Maisie excuses herself, Lyric going with her to find the restroom, that I snake up a little closer, basically giving River no choice but to dance with me.

“Come on, old man. I know you can do better than that,” I openly complain when he doesn’t so much as lay a single finger on me as we move.

Without a word, he reaches for me, his fingers biting into my hips as he pulls me closer.

“Is this better?” he asks, the warmth of his breath sliding across my face.

For a second, I forget how to form words.

“A little.” I snake my hands around his neck, pulling him closer until we’re practically nose to nose, not a single inch of space between our bodies.

I hiss when the fingers at my hip dig in even deeper but not because it hurts—it doesn’t—but because a wave of sudden and undeniable need washes over me and my entire body flushes with heat.

I lean in, with every intention of pressing my mouth to his, the draw to do it too strong to stop myself, but just when our lips are about to make contact, River’s hold on me vanishes in an instant.

“We should... Uh... We should go find my sister. She’s been gone for a while.” He runs a hand through his hair and I’m instantly jealous of that hand, wishing it were mine tangling in the messy, blond strands.

“Yeah, okay.” I try to mask my disappointment. Disappointment that’s quickly replaced with something else when he reaches behind him and takes my hand, pulling me through the crowd.

He’s holding my hand. He’s holding my hand. He’s holding my hand.My inner voice chants over and over again like she can’t quite believe it herself.

I’m even more surprised that he doesn’t let go as we reach a clearing. If anything, his hold on my fingers tightens and I revel in the feeling.

I’ve been kissed by my fair share of guys. Fucked in every position imaginable on just about every surface known to man. But I can’t say I’ve ever had someone hold my hand. The feeling is... exquisite, and honestly, a little disorienting.

Or maybe that’s the alcohol. Though I highly doubt it.

It takes us a few minutes to spot Lyric, and once we do, I realize we may have stumbled upon something we shouldn’tbe interrupting. Hoping to give her a little heads-up that we’re there, I reluctantly pull my hand out of River’s and bound toward her and a somewhat angry-looking Kai Elliot, a senior who has quite the reputation.

Oh my...

“There you are!”

Lyric turns as soon as she registers my voice.

I also don’t miss the way Kai slinks away as soon as her attention is on me. Nor do I miss the disappointed look she tries and fails to hide. These two have been skirting around whatever is going on between them for a while now. A part of me wants to shake them both and sayjust fuck already!

“Who was that?” River asks, gesturing to the spot Kai occupied until only moments ago.

“Nobody. Just some guy.” Lyric does her best to brush it off as Maisie suddenly appears out of the crowd.

“Is it just me or does this party suck all of a sudden?” she slurs, her dark hair matted with sweat to the side of her face.

“Everything okay?” Lyric loops her arm through Maisie’s, who seems unsteady on her feet.

My goodness, how much has the girl drunk? I’ve had just as much and I feel totally fine. Well, not totally. But fine enough.

“Boys suck.” She groans, and I don’t have to guess who she’s talking about. Macallan Stewart. Star football player. Sexy as hell but an absolute douchebag when it comes to women.

I don’t even know why Maisie likes him so much, though a part of me feels like it’s probably the thrill of the hunt. I doubt any man has ever made Maisie work for it, but Mac is really putting her through it right now.Dumbass.

“Girl, don’t I know it,” Lyric murmurs, having her own frustrating womanizer to deal with. Must be in the water. Hopefully, it doesn’t spread to me. Lord knows I don’t need that kind of drama in my life. “I’m ready if you are,” she tells Maisie.