Page 68 of Vicious Little Snakes

He lets out a groan attached to his breath.Yes, it is, Liam, for people with a spine.

I reach for the handle, wanting out of the closet, but Liam’s hand on my waist stops me as he says, “Don’t see him anymore.”

“Why?” my voice is so quiet.

The warmth of his body invades my spaces. “Because I want you. All for me.”

His finger trails up the side of my body, making me shiver and want things from him.

“Is it true that you slept with Gabriel freshman year?”

The way he asks like he’s preoccupied with another thought feels predatory. I feel as if I’m being readied, played with.

My head shakes no, but I answer, “Does it matter?”

“No.”

Liam’s hand splays over my back, sealing our bodies. I let out a tiny gasp, answering his first question.

“I’m a virgin.”

He says nothing, and neither do I. We stand in the silence, waiting for the other to speak first.

“Have you ever touched yourself?”

My cheeks are beyond red as I whisper, “Yes.”

Liam bends down, running his nose across my jaw to my neck, inhaling. My head falls back, carried away by the sensation.

I lick my lips. “Why don’t you ever kiss me?”

We’ve come so close so many times.

“Because I won’t stop, Caroline. Once I get a taste, it’ll never be enough. Come get me at midnight. We’ll sneak upstairs to the atrium.”

His words are spoken against my neck.

“I’m supposed to go out with Kai.”

“Then I guess tonight at midnight you’ll make your choice.”

His thumb runs over my bottom lip, dipping inside my mouth and making my entire insides quiver. Before I recover, he’s gone, and I’m thoroughly turned on, alone, in a closet.

I stand there for a second, piecing myself back together because I feel unraveled. A rare smile graces my lips, and I lift my fingers to my mouth. I open the door, looking around before leaving the dark closet and heading straight up to my room.

* * *

I changed into a hundred different bra and panty sets, ultimately choosing to go bare. My lips press together, trying to hide my excitement. The thought makes me pause. It’s a rarity in my life that I get what I want. There are plenty of situations I manipulate in my favor. Still, I’m never chosen by life for the happily ever after—but tonight—tonight, I’m going to lose my virginity and give my heart to the boy I’ve loved since I can remember.

He chose me and asked me to pick him. It’s almost inconceivable.

I trot down the stairs in my same dress to rejoin the party and tell Kai I can’t hang out tonight. My phone in my hand reads eleven o’clock, setting off more butterflies in my stomach.

Laura comes bounding over to me, drunk and giggling.

“Oh my God, Care. Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you for like an hour.”

I shrug. “I had something to do. What are you drinking?”