Page 51 of Beautiful Monster

“Happy birthday, rain cloud.”

Then his lips are on mine, and I make a whimpering sound. They are so soft and warm, and I nearly melt from this unexpected moment. I feel his hands travel up my back until he's digging his fingers into my hair and tilting my head.

At first, it’s just soft lips against soft lips, and I worry it’s all I’ll get.

But then, his tongue slips through, and I have no idea how I’m still alive because, I swear, I haven’t taken a breath in minutes. As his tongue glides with mine, my legs start to tremble, but his hold on my hair keeps me upright.

The kiss starts sweet and gentle, like how a warm breeze floats in from an open window. But seconds later, I feel something in Alex snap, and he holds me harder, kissing me deeper, and moaning louder into my mouth.

My body lifts from the ground so only my toes touch the grass as he consumes me.

Our heads tilt in the opposite direction and he takes one last swipe of my tongue before he pulls away. I’m left feeling more drunk than ever and not entirely sure I’ll be able to walk back to the party on my own legs.

“Alexander…” I whisper, afraid to open my eyes. He moans again from the sound of his name on my tongue. At this point, it feels like there is no way I will leave his side. I am crawling into his bed and letting him do whatever he wants to me.

“Go have fun with your family,” he whispers, planting a kiss on my head.

When I open my eyes, he smiles down at me, fixes my hair, and walks away.

It takes me a long time before I have the focus to walk back to the party. That kiss was like three shots of tequila, leaving me feeling dizzy and disoriented.

It’s blatantly obvious to me why he did that. He was making himself indispensable. Why would I let anyone else near me after a kiss like that?

That kiss was his insurance policy—so he’s sure I’ll come back. My side of his bed won’t stay empty for long.

Cadence is looking at me with a mischievous expression on her face. Fischer and Liam are still horsing around in the pool—I guess they didn’t get the memo about this being a girls’ night. My loud aunt, the one who barely ever acknowledges me unless it’s to tell me what I’m doing wrong, walks my mom up to her room. She was starting to get belligerent, but Cadence and I don’t even seem fazed today.

“Let’s take this party inside,” she says. At first I think she means just us, and I get excited. Nothing appeals to me more right now—aside from another kiss from Alexander—than a night with my sister.

But then, Fischer and Liam follow behind her, and I get the sudden urge to cross the lawn and go back to Alex’s. The idea of going inside instantly makes me nervous because I know the guys are included, and both of them are currently eyeing me like I'm a piece of meat. Or in their case, pizza. Cadence is carrying a bottle of champagne in one hand and a stack of glasses in another.

I convince myself that it’s just one night and there’s nothing wrong with partying with my sister on my birthday. I can keep my head, and I won’t let anything happen with either of the guys.

We park ourselves in the upstairs den, a circle of chairs and a love seat in front of the picture window. Cadence turns on music on her phone and pours us all a drink.

I sip mine slowly, feeling like I should be somewhere else, and if I drink the thoughts away, I won’t feel it anymore.

Liam sits next to me. Close.

“You still a virgin, Sunny?” Fischer asks, being obnoxious and loud. Cadence elbows him in the ribs.

“Don’t talk about my sister like that.”

“What?” he said, looking defensive. “I know Liam’s curious.”

Liam’s mouth drops open as he chucks a pillow at his friend. “Not cool, man.”

“No, he’s not, Fischer,” my sister snaps at him. “You’re the only one who acts like a dog here.”

The group laughs, and I set my unfinished drink on the coffee table, feeling hazy and not all present. I’m still in his yard, living in that kiss.

“Let’s play a game,” Cadence says, ignoring the new awkward tension in the room. Liam scoots closer to me.

I wish Alexander were here.

“Never have I ever,” Fischer suggests.

“Perfect,” she answers, over the top of her cup.