“Yeah, but you always told us we are all your favorites, so we are fighting to see who withstands the other three,” Jude says from beside me.
“Yeah, like the Hunger Games, Sinclair-style,” Jace says with a nod. “I’d so win.”
“The hell you would,” I snap.
“You’d die first,” Lucy adds.
“Yeah, ’cause Mom isn’t there to win for you!” Jude adds in too.
“Now, y’all leave him be. Come here, honey,” she says, wrapping her arms around his middle and hugging him close, which makes all of us laugh.
“You guys are just jealous,” he says, holding her tighter as she grins against his temple.
“No, you’re a freaking momma’s boy, Jace,” Markus says then, and Baylor nods.
“Like for real,” she adds.
“Fu-Screw you guys!”
Baylor laughs as she leans against me, her fingers dancing along my neck. Grinning up at her, I decide I need to get her alone. I want to give her her gift. Now.
Standing, I lace my fingers with hers and lead her out of the room.
“Not too long, Jayden,” Mom calls as we disappear into the hall. “Dinner is in ten.”
“He only needs five,” Jude says, and I roll my eyes.
“Ugh, you mean two?” Jace teases, snickering as my mom yells at him to shut up.
“You guys are so dumb,” Lucy says.
Peeking my head back in the kitchen, I say, “I knew you were my favorite.”
She gives me a sinister grin. “You didn’t let me finish. We all know you can only last thirty seconds.”
That has everyone rolling, even my mom. “Mom! Really?” I yell as Baylor’s body vibrates against mine. “You guys suck.”
Taking ahold of Baylor’s hand, I pull her down the hall as she laughs until we reach my room. Pushing the door open, I lead her in and then slam the door. Looking over at her smiling face, I frame it in my hands and press my lips to hers. As our mouths move together, we fall onto my bed, her leg hooking over my hip as I press my growing erection into her hot center. It’s been a long week without her intoxicating kisses, and I want to get my fill before she leaves.
As we part, she bites my chin before looking at me. “I can’t believe you told them I was your girlfriend.”
“You are, though,” I say, moving my fingers through her hair.
“But what if your mom talks to my dad or some crazy shit?” she asks, her fingers gliding along the edge of my ear.
Closing my eyes, enjoying the sensation, I shrug. “I’ll tell her to keep it quiet,” I say, nibbling down her jaw as her hair fans along my face. “Don’t worry.”
She doesn’t say anything else as my lips trail down her neck, and then she whispers, “I liked it.”
“Good, you taste so good,” I mutter, nibbling more and nuzzling my nose along her neck.
“No, I mean, I like that you called me that.”
Pulling back, I push her hair out of my face and grin up at her. “I’d scream it from the rooftops if you’d allow m
e to.”
Bending her head against mine, she sucks in a breath as she nods. “Soon.”