Page 137 of Love at First Ride
‘And you’re sure she’s blocked you?’
‘Uh-huh. I’ve sent her, like, a dozen messages saying sorry. All undeliverable.’
I look to AJ. ‘Maybe I could message her?’
AJ twists a lock of my hair between his fingers. ‘It’s up to you, baby. You don’t owe Bren nothing.’
‘Hey,’ Chase complains.
I reach for my phone. ‘You’re the best, Palmer,’ Chase adds.
‘Just go over there,’ AJ says. ‘Tell her you’re sorry and that in reality, you have a pin dick, and a tendency to overcompensate.’
Balthazar cackles. Chase gives AJ the finger.
‘Look, AJ is right,’ I tell him. ‘You should go to her place but tell her you’re sorry and that you just want to get to know her, and that anything else can wait.’
‘That way she’s guaranteed to jump right into bed with you,’ Nicole says drily.
‘Really?’ Chase says, his shoulders going back. His gaze comes back to mine. ‘You know, Hollie, you’re definitely way too good for Callahan,’ he then adds.
‘Hey!’ AJ shoots back. ‘I happen to agree with you. But that makes me the luckiest guy on the planet, shitbag.’
‘You guys are too cute,’ Nicole says with a wink in our direction.
AJ reaches for my hand. The room goes silent for a moment, apart from the music over the speakers. I frown as Balthazar mouths something at Chase.
‘Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah,’ Chase says, getting to his feet, like he’s realized something.
Balthazar and Nicole follow suit.
‘Hey, where are you guys going?’ I ask.
‘Home,’ Nicole says, putting down her drink. ‘Or… back downstairs. You guys deserve a little alone time after two weeks apart. Thanks for having us.’
‘Yeah, and I now live right underneath you,’ Chase adds, finishing his beer. ‘So, keep it PG, all right?’
AJ rolls his eyes. I get to my feet and feel hot sensations crawling up my neck.
‘Thanks for the hospitality,’ Balthazar says, and holds out his hand to AJ. They bump fists. ‘Good to have you back, man.’
‘Good to be back,’ AJ says.
‘Later,’ Chase says with a wave of his hand. Nicole gives me a brief hug, squeezing me tight, and before I know it, they’re all out the door.
I let out a sigh and let my shoulders droop. I turn and face AJ.
He’s smiling.
‘Did you ask them to do that?’
His lips twist. ‘I may have mentioned to Reyes that my balls are turning blue. Now get over here and kiss me.’
Chapter Thirty-Five
Hollie
I walk right over to AJ and straddle him, settling into his lap. I can feel he’s already hard for me, but the moment I gently move my hips, his erection blooms fully into life. I push my hair behind my ears and achingly slowly, lower my mouth to his.
