Page 100 of Pinch

“They weren’t mean girls.” I think about the weeks we’d spend at training camps every year getting ready for the big pageants. “It really was likeMiss Congeniality—you know, that old Sandra Bullock film? Girls would come from all over the country, and we’d hang out and talk about how we felt and our hopes and the silly things we’d done. It was more like a camp than a competition.”

“You’re saying none of those girls were competitive?” Gina narrows her eyes at me.

“Oh, yeah, we were all pretty competitive, but the IPW program was more about things like talent and public speaking than just beauty. It had a positive vibe.”

“You never told me your talent.” Gav slides a finger along my neck, moving my hair behind my back.

“She’s a singer,” Mav answers him. “You should hear her sing. It’s pretty amazing.”

“Yes! You should hear her,” Gigi coos. “Selena Gomez, ‘The Heart Wants What it Wants.’”

“I like that song.” Gav smiles, and our eyes meet briefly. It’s electric.

“Maybe you will one day.” I don’t mean to say it all low and sultry. It just comes out that way.

“Whoo wee!” Gigi fans her hand in front of her face. “Is it getting hot out here or is it just me?”

I laugh, tossing a paper napkin at her. “It’s all those jalapeños Mav put in our dinner tonight.”

“I think it might be something more… biological.” Mav’s eyebrow arches, and he does a little hip thrust.

“And on that note…” I stand, collecting our empty plates. “I’ve got to get some sleep. I’ve been exhausted for months now.”

“You’d better get your sleep.” Gigi hops up to help her collect the plates. “From what I’ve heard, once that baby gets here, you’re never sleeping again.”

We head into the house, and between the four of us, the kitchen is clean pretty fast. My cousins curl up on the couch to watch a movie, but Gavin takes my hand, leading me to the stairs.

“Keep it down up there,” Mav calls after us. “I don’t want to hear how the sausage is being hid.”

“Leave them alone.” Gigi throws a pillow at him. “If you haven’t heard them by now, you’re not going to.”

“I’m still very conflicted about all this.” Mav catches the pillow in one hand. “I can’t decide if I should support this or kick his ass, and you know how much I love ya, Gav.”

“Leave the ass-kicking to Uncle Hendrix.” Gina waves her hands at us. “As you were, love birds. Remember to clean up after yourselves.”

Shaking my head, I look up at Gavin, who’s smiling down at me. Hunger is in his eyes, and it lights me up from the center of my chest all the way down to my toes.

I don’t waste any more time bantering with my cousins. I jog up the stairs straight into his arms. They surround me at once.

“Careful running on the stairs.” His lips are at my ear,and his kisses send chills down my arms. “It’s harder for me to catch you that way.”

“I told you I’m not falling anymore.” I pass him with a little turn, pulling him after me in the direction of his bedroom, thinking how that statement might not be entirely true.

We burst through his bedroom door with our mouths already sealed together. My lips part readily, and I curl my tongue to his as he exhales a low groan. His large hands cup my face, and he lifts my chin, kissing me deeper.

He’s so possessive, drawing me closer, surrounding me in his arms. I inhale his scent of clean soap and rich leather. He’s so warm, I want to lick my tongue along his neck to taste his sweat. I turn in his arms, putting my back to his chest and holding his wrists.

Dropping my head back against his shoulder, I lift my chin to nibble the line of his jaw. “I’ve wanted you since you touched me at dinner.” It’s a breathy moan. “Take me from behind.”

“Anything for you, Princess.” His lips cover mine briefly before he drags them down my neck, sending feverish chills through my body.

I’m already hot and needy, and I lean forward to quickly shove my leggings to my ankles, kicking them off my feet. When I straighten, I put his large hand between my thighs as I reach behind me to rub his hard cock through his jeans.

“I’ve been thinking about you singing that song.” He slides his thick fingers over my clit in firm circles.

“Make me come, and I’ll sing it for you.” Stepping forward, I climb onto the bed on all fours and look over my shoulder at him.

“Damn, you are so fine.” He takes a step forward, kissing my butt as he unfastens his jeans and pushes them down.