Page 14 of Forbidden Mischief

“Oh, before we go,” Zayne says when we stop next to his class. “I promised the guys I’d sit with them at lunch. Is that cool?”

Doing my best to hide my disappointment, I nod. “Yeah.” I force a smile. “Of course.”

“Awesome.” He grins. “See you later.”

“Yeah,” I whisper as he disappears into his class. “Bye.”

Guess I could always have lunch with Prudence. I feel like a bad friend because we haven’t hung out since the movies.

She insisted she’s fine with it, that I should enjoy this honeymoon phase. She’s been an amazing friend about all of this. Zayne said Harley has been as well.

Neither one of them were surprised about the fact we were mates, and said they could see it from a mile away. I don’t believe them.

By the time lunch rolls around, I’m starving.

Grabbing a tray, I get in the lunch line. “Six pieces.” Prudence laughs. “Damn, boy. Should have just asked for the whole pie.” I would if I thought they would let me.

“I’m over six feet and part wolf, what do you expect?” I chuckle as we head toward the table we would normally sit at.

“Okay, true, you got me there.” She grins.

Just as I’m about to take my seat, I hear my name being called. Looking over to the football table, I find Zayne waving me over.

“Go,” Prudence urges.

“But—”

“Go,” she insists. “We’ll make plans soon, promise. In the meantime, I’ll keep sending you stupid memes.”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Thanks.”

“Any time.” She hugs me.

“Hey,” Zayne says, pulling the chair out next to him for me to sit. “How come you didn’t come over here first? Are you avoiding me?” he asks, but there’s a playfulness to his tone.

“Never.” I give him a half smile.

I might be a part of the football team now, but I don’t feel right sitting here without an invitation. These are Zayne’s friends. He’s known them his whole life. He’s the outgoing one, me, not so much.

I listen to the guys all talking about things I have no interest in as I eat my pizza. Watching Zayne with his friends, laughing and smiling, I like it. I enjoy seeing him happy, at ease.

“So, are you two coming to the party tonight?” a guy on the team named Tyson asks.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” I reply at the same time Zanye says, “Hell yeah we are.”

Zanye’s eyes shoot to mine. “What? Really?”

“I mean, I could go.” If he wanted me to, I would. Parties just aren't something I’d volunteer to go on my own to.

“It could be fun.” He grins. “Who am I kidding, of course it will be. All our parties are killer.”

His excitement has me wanting to please him, so I find myself nodding my head in agreement. “Okay, why not.”

The party has already started when we get to the beach. Everyone is in great spirits, and so am I. The smile over our win hasn’t left my face since.

It was amazing. The pure adrenaline I feel when I’m out on that field is insane. I’m not suddenly a football fanatic, but I don’t hate the game as much as I had before.

Zayne and I were on point, working together as a perfect team. It just added to the thrill of the entire night.

Once we get to the crowd of people, we grab a drink and start our night.

Like I knew I would, I’m not overly chatty, answering questions when asked, but not actively trying to insert myself into conversations.

I don’t mind standing by and listening. It’s a lot more entertaining than it sounds.

“Dance with me?” Zanye asks when a song he seems to enjoy comes on the bluetooth speaker someone has hooked up as our form of entertainment of the night.

“Ahh, I don’t really dance.” I scratch the back of my head, looking around awkwardly. I’m two drinks in, while Zayne is about four.

He’s a little tipsy and it’s cute. His cheeks are flushed, eyes lidded, and the way he looks at me, he doesn’t seem to care about the fact he looks like he wants to devour me.

I wouldn’t object if he tried.

“Oh, come on!” He pulls me into the crowd of people. Prudence is there, so is Harley.

Deciding to say fuck it, if it makes him happy, I’ll dance.

Surprisingly, I don’t make a fool of myself.

“I’m going to get a refill,” Zayne says, his words a bit of a slur.

Me, I’ve stopped drinking because one of us has to drive. And I’m not a big drinker, anyway.

“I’ll come with you.” The urge to take care of him is heavy as I follow him toward the keg. He’s a little off center, and my hands shoot out a few times when I think he’s about to faceplant it.

“I think maybe a refill isn't a good idea.” I chuckle, grabbing him around the waist.

He squints up at me. “Maybe you're right.”

“Come on.” I grin. “Let’s go sit down, maybe have some water.”

His lips curve into a smile. “I have a better idea.”

Grabbing my hand, he pulls me away from the crowd of people. Wanting to know what my tipsy mate is up to, I follow him.

When we’re out of sight from the party goers, he pushes me up against a tree. I grunt as my back hits it, surprised by his move and don’t get a chance to even think before his lips are on mine.

We both moan as the kiss quickly turns into a heated make-out session.

My whole body is on fire, cock straining against my jeans. His hands roam my body, touching me everywhere. I grip his hip as I thrust my tongue down his throat. He whimpers, his hand moving between us to cup my erection.

I growl, rocking into his touch. Fuck, that feels good. Too good.

“I want you,” Zayne pants against my lips before kissing me again. I groan and it takes everything in me not rut against his hand.

Before we both do something we might regret, I grab his hand and entwine my fingers with his. My back presses firmly against the rough bark of the tree. Chest heaving, I shake my head, bringing his hand up to kiss the back of it.

“Not like this. We’ve both been drinking.

And you deserve better. When we take things to the next level, I want both our minds to be clear.

I want to make sure it’s good for you. Trust me, I want you.

Badly. So don’t think I don’t. I just think my mate deserves his first time exploring a man to not be drunk at a party with people around. ”

The pout he gives me makes it hard to say no. He’s so adorable right now.

“Fine,” he sighs heavily.

Smiling, I tug him away from the tree. “Ready to go home?”

“Yeah,” Zayne answers just before he yawns wide. “I could use some sleep.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed.” I chuckle.

“Hey, don’t make fun of me. Today was a long day.”

“I’d never make fun of you.” I wrap my arm around his shoulder. “And you're right, it was. But it was a good day.”

“The best day.” He grins up at me, stopping my heart.

Helping Zayne into the passenger seat, I take the driver’s.

We’re hardly down the road from the party before he’s snoring away.

Laughing to myself, I turn the radio on low and drive us home.

“Zayne.” I rub his arm. “Baby, we’re here.” The name just slips off my tongue, but I like it.

“Five more minutes,” he murmurs before letting out a loud snore.

“Oh boy.” I chuckle. Getting out of the car, I make my way to his side.

He’s out cold, so trying to get him to walk to his room is not an option.

So, I scoop him up and, with some effort, manage to get him in the house and up to his room.

Placing him on his bed, I take his shoes off and tuck him in. I’d put him into something more comfortable, but it’s not a fight I’d want to try for right now.

“Goodnight,” I murmur, kissing his forehead. “Thanks for tonight.”

He mumbles something in his sleep before snuggling into the blanket.

Smiling, I stand there for a moment longer, watching him so sweet and innocent right now, looking so cute.

This man, yeah , I’m a total goner.

The thought both excites and scares me, but I won’t let fear ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to me.