“Alright,” I stammer. How I’m going to survive swaying in Deke’s arms I have no idea, not to mention the dress I wore. Yep, it meant going braless because I’m the dumbest, most idiotic woman on the planet. A parka would have been a better idea, but in this Florida heat and humidity, there’s no way. Not that Alabama is much better. This is my own fault, though. I’m wearing one of the newest arrivals in the boutique I co-own with my sister that has straps not big enough for a normal bra, the low back making it even more impossible to wear a strapless. Sure, I could have worn nipple covers. Been there, done that, was embarrassed when sweat plus humidity were mixed in and one of them fell off. You have no idea how hard it was to realize what happened, somehow managing to slide it with my foot, waiting until the conversation was over before picking it up and then carrying on.
“Kelsey.” I’ve been lost in the moment the whole time since he’s been walking me to the dance floor that was set up in the backyard.
“Yes?” The fabric of his dress shirt rasps against my nipples, causing them to pebble even more. I’m afraid to look into his eyes, instead finding something else to focus on, like the kids swimming in the pool. If Deke really sees what’s written on my face, this will be over before it starts, and maybe it should be, especially with the way he’s acted since the moment he picked me up.
“It’d be nice to see your eyes when I’m talking to you.” That lights a flare deep inside me. I take a deep breath, trying not to blow up at his audacity to speak to me like that.
“Well, I would have liked my boyfriend to talk a little bit on the way here, not to drop me off to stand by myself in a sea of people I just met, so I think we’re even.” I’m probably diving off the deep end on this subject matter, but it’s who I am, and if you can’t handle me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my finest.
“Fuck me.” Deke’s hand on my lower back pushes me closer to his body, causing me to fell his hardness against my stomach for the first time ever. You see, Deke Hart isn’t really my boyfriend, and I’m not really his girlfriend. This is all a sham, one big concocted one that I somehow went along with like the idiot I am.
CHAPTER TWO
deke
I deserve Kelsey’s words, all of them. Since the moment I picked her up, I’ve been a bastard. Not that it should come as a surprise. That’s on me completely, just like it is to salvage this weekend before it goes to shit, and I have even more people pissed at me.
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen even if you are happy to see me.” I’d laugh if I didn’t think she’d take it out on my balls. I look down at her, even though Kels won’t look at me. Her dark hair that she usually wears down in a slick waterfall is up in a low bun at the base of her neck, and her dark eyelashes are coated with mascara surrounding her light blue eyes. Her dress ties around her neck, leaving all this smooth skin for my hand to glide down. Except I don’t, managing to keep it pressed against her lower back, yet wanting to see just what she has on beneath this dress.
“I deserved that. What if we make a deal?” I dip my head until my mouth is at the shell of her ear. I feel her body shiver against mine. If we weren’t around my family, I’d slide my knee between her legs, pressing in until it was pushing against her core.
“I’m not sure making another deal with you is the right thing to do.” She’s probably right about that. Going on this date-turned weekend since my parents want to spend time as a family—minus Leena and Decker; those two took off after their reception and will be gone for a while. That doesn’t mean the rest of us get a free pass from the Sunday brunch. It’s why I asked Kelsey to stay with me all weekend. My condo here on the beach has sat vacant all this time, save for a cleaning service that comes in twice a month and my folks checking on it in case of anything happening. That’s where we’re staying, though at the time, I told Kels it had separate bedrooms. I’m thinking that option is null and void now as long as I can make up for being an asshole.
“You’re probably right, but hear me out.” The deep breath of air she takes causes her chest to rub against mine, making me feel what I’ve been dreaming about wrapping my lips around them, wondering if her nipples are brown- or cherry-colored. I’d bet my left nut they’re cherry-tipped, just like her sensuous lips.