Page 3 of Tease
Brittney’s small hand shoots out. “Hi! It’s nice to meet you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around here before.” Taking herhand into his large one, I notice the slight eyebrow raise, and I’m surprised when she gives him a firm handshake.
Cap Guy—Jaredshrugs his broad shoulders nonchalantly, a cocky smirk on his handsome face. “That would be because I just moved into town with my brother. I realized there was a place to,” he makes a show with his hands, pointing around at all the cars, “show off what you drive and listen to good music. Decided to try it out... I met Steffan and Greg last night while cruising.” This guy continues to stare at me; he’s obviously waiting for me to acknowledge him.
When I realize the chatter around us has gone quiet, my resilience finally folds. I give him a small smile, one that doesn’t crinkle my eyes but makes my dimples pop. “Hi.”Yep. That’s all he’s getting from me.
Just looking at this guy, you can tell he knows that he’s pretty. Not a care in the world, his shoulders are relaxed while he rests his hands behind him, one on each side of his hips, leaning back onto the hood of a truck. Those emerald green eyes slowly graze from my face down to my bare toes, then make their way back up to the lips in the middle of my shirt. Even though I’m clinching my thighs together, due to his intent stare, my face feigns casual. Bowing my head, I contain the giggle that wants to break free. I definitely don’t want to boost that ego any more. Even if my body feels like it’s on fire from this encounter.
Jared chuckles at me, shaking his head. Actuallychuckles,like he knew my intention was just that. Alrighty then...Game on, pretty boy.
The group’s conversation, surprisingly, isn’t awkward, flowing easily among everyone. We all continue to admire the cars that lap the cruise strip. Until a random car stops in front of us, obnoxiously honking, catching everyone off guard. A woman hangs outside her window, asking if we want to attend a bonfire tonight. Greg, Steffan, Brittney, Jared, and I all exchangeglances. I shrug my shoulders. Becausewhy not, right? I don’t have to work tomorrow, and my curfew is 2 A.M.
It’s midnight when Brittney and I pile into the bed of Steffan’s truck, Greg riding shotgun. Settling myself into a comfy spot, I attempt to casually look behind us, looking forhim. I notice Jared is driving a lime green motorcycle—a crotch rocket, technically? He’s straddling the bike and his right hand is relaxed, resting on his thigh. Jared must be waiting for Steffan to pull onto the road, so he can follow us to the bonfire. His helmet is black with a tinted face shield. It’s hard for me to look away, and I’m hoping he won’t notice me gawking at him.
Gah, I’m not that lucky. He shakes his head, pointing at me, and then his finger does theturn aroundsign. Those broad, firm shoulders are slightly lifting up and down.Is he laughing at me?!
“Sheesh, that was embarrassing.” I scoot back until I’m leaning against the tailgate, now facing the opposite way. Brittney starts laughing, attempting to hide it by covering her mouth, coughing it out once my glare reaches her.
Clasping her hands together, placing them in between her knees, she teases, “Are you sure you didn’t notice his smile?”
Hiding my face in my hands seems like a good idea before I admit this. But I won’t. Facing her head-on, I sit up straighter and admit, “Okay, yes! You’ve officially caught me…” Leaning my body closer to her, palm shadowing over my mouth. “Heissexy, likemake-your-panties-wet-when-he-smiles-at-youkind of sexy.”
Brittney starts clapping her hands excitedly. “Oh, I knew it! The attraction between you two is mutual. Anyone in the vicinity could tell you that.”
Steffan hits the side of his driver door with a palm twice, catching our attention. “Are you ladies ready or what?”
So ready, actually… Leaning over the truck bed, I meet his stare in the driver side mirror. “Yes, now play some tunes and get this show on the road!”
Steffansmiles at me in the mirror. “Done.”
“Talk Dirtyto Me”by Jason Derulo starts to play, and bass rattles through the truck bed, as we follow the direction of a long line of cars, heading to the same bonfire out of town.
CHAPTER 4
Kailey
Arriving at our destination, I see multiple rows of vehicles that are already parked, indicating this is where we’re supposed to park the truck. In the distance, smoke is dancing into the dark sky. Music can be heard blasting through portable speakers, but we aren’t close enough to decipher which song is playing. The scent of burnt wood and citrus invades my nose. I breathe the air in deeply. “I love this.”
Instant regret consumes me with each step taken. My sandals have gotten stuck in the mud multiple times on this walk. Finally, we make it to where the actual bonfire is being held. Looking down, I notice that there are multiple coolers opened, with all types of alcohol options on display. I don’t need alcohol to have a good time with friends, so I continue my walk past the coolers, only pausing when I notice Brittney stopping, bending down to grab two unopened cans of Jock’s Hard Lemonade for the both of us. She hands one to me, ice still clinging to the bottom of the can.
Brittney wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer as we walk together. “Just one. It’ll be fine. Sip on it and enjoy this beautiful summer night.” Her vanilla bean lotion smells amazing.
Remembering my motto from earlier, not being a Debbie Downer, I smile back at her, clinking our cans together. We always stick together in public, never taking a sip of an opened drink, andneverleaving a drink unattended while we’re out. Jared and Greg are in a discussion about crotch rockets. Steffan is now wearing a backwards baseball hat, his team logo embroidered on it, shirt unbuttoned, showing off chiseled abs. A line of hair starts at his belly button and teases down his V into his jeans, making imaginations go crazy. Yep, our guy besties are truly very sexy. Steffan is flirting with a brunette, who’s wearing a short denim dress, sitting cross-legged in a chair by the fire. Brittney and I continue our walk around, enjoying the view.
When we walk past them, Brittney’s steps falter slightly, her body stiffening.That is… odd. We sip on our hard lemonades, bodies bouncing to “No Diggity” by Blackstreet,Dr. Dre and Queen Pen. Not a care in the world, until the smell of cinnamon invades me from behind.
“There you are,” a husky voice whispers against my neck. Turning my body slowly, preparing myself, I realize it’s Jared. Of course it is. This man is like a dog on a hunt that caught my scent earlier, and tracked me down.Okay, Kailey, think. What should you say?!
Emerald eyes meet mine. “Hey,” I mutter. It’s official: I’m an idiot… Brittney lightly shoves my upper back. My sandal trips over a stick and my body hurtles into him. Jared catches me by my elbow, steadying me. Instant heat from his calloused fingertips travel up my arm, and down into my core. His searing touch makes my head fuzzy, making my heart race. Is he a drug? All I’m capable of doing is staring back into his green eyes, holding my breath.
Brittney’s voice cuts through my body’s temporary malfunction. “I’m gonna go introduce myself,” she tips her headin Steffan’s direction, “to his new flavor of the week.” Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in her tone?No, it can’t be.
Before I’m able to tell her I’ll go too, she’s gone. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I casually look around. There are a lot of people at this bonfire. Jared continues to stare at me, and I feel my cheeks grow hotter with each second. “Are you always this hard to get to know?” Turning toward his voice, I see that he’s smiling, and close enough I can smell the beer on his breath. He continues to study me, mesmerized, his breath now on my cheek.
Looking at him fully, my mouth goes dry. My god, his face is pure perfection: sun-kissed, flawless skin and a sharp jawline. His emerald green eyes appear to be sparkling from the flames dancing behind us. His bottom lip is plump and full, begging to be sucked. I feel a need to crush the small distance between us and lick his bottom lip, wondering what he would taste like on my tongue.
Nope. No. Not going there. Ido notneed a man after Brandon’s cheating ass. I was left questioning my worth.
“I’m just trying to enjoy the night. You should know,” gesturing my hands between our bodies, “I’m really not looking for anything right now.” Smiling up at him, he has to be six two or six three. Awkwardly, my feet shuffle back and forth. Why does he have to be so damn sexy?
