Page 94 of Heartless

Bianca touched my wrist, and her eyes were bright with mirth.“Carissima, let’s not pretend that the temperature hasn’t risen by a hundred degrees in here.”

Camila’s chest canted over the table.“And that you forgot what coffee was.”

Bianca’s voice pitched to a whisper.“What happened with Jake?”

Nothing.Everything.“I uh...we talked last night, and uh...we kissed, and—” I shrugged, unable to describe the feverish frenzy overtaking...everything.

She curled her fingers around mine.“Whatever happened seemed to have changed things for you.Have things changed?”

Not changed.Turned upside down.I bit on my bottom lip.“Yes.”

“In a good way?”Camila asked.

“God, yes.”I breathed out.

Again, my friends laughed, but this time, I laughed with them.

“Say no more, cara.I’m going to head to New York and give you some space.”

My head jerked up.“Are you leaving?”

“I’ll be back soon.”Her fingers pinched around the edge of the oval basket full of pastries and slid it beside my mug.“Try a chocolate croissant.Cami made them.”

As every time Bianca had offered me food, I nodded and reached for one of the pastries.

****

Jake

Cam had left, Sile had picked Bianc up to drive her to the airport, and the beautiful Sienna had gone back to her quarters.

Sitting on the couch of the front living room with my cell in landscape mode in my hand, I watched her nibble on the nail of her thumb.Her flowing curls bounced down her back with every turn she took while her short dress swayed around her thighs with her pacing.

This morning in the kitchen, the way she’d looked at me had gotten me so hard, I’d gone straight for a cold shower.She was the young virgin, and I was the one jacking off to keep some damn control.

Her graceful gait paused at the window, and I planted my feet on the carpet.“Come to me, baby.”

She touched the windowpane, and my chest got tight.The wound I’d inflicted on her nascent sexuality had cut too deep.All I’d done was ram my fetid shit into that pure heart of hers.Why would she give me any precious part of herself?Minutes later, heavy clouds darkened the sky.She wasn’t coming.I tossed my cell on the coffee table.While rain tapped on the glass, I got on my feet and headed to the bedroom.Another cold shower was in order.

“Jake?”

Pivoting toward the door, I swallowed hard while her bare feet took her to me.Her small hand rose to my chest, and I inhaled the flowery scent of her skin.

“Can I kiss you?”she whispered.

****

Sienna

My lips parted under the warmth of his breath, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.My fingers curled in his hair while the heat of his body against mine birthed a shiver.His fists were clenched tight at his sides, and staring into the inferno of his gaze, my sex slickened.

Closer.I needed to be closer.“Hold me.”

I gasped at the unbreakable grip of his arms around me.

When I licked the inside of his upper lip, a muted sound vibrated off his chest.Or maybe it was from mine.

Pushing my tongue into his mouth, I lost myself in his taste, his scent, and his strength.I kissed him, reveling in the languorous motions of his tongue.When I pulled out of the kiss, I was breathless.