Fake It 'Til You Break It

She attempts to glance over her shoulder, so I shoot my hand up, catching her chin before she can, my fingers spreading along her jaw and neck in the same move.

Damn, she doesn’t even flinch.

I continue. “The girls are wondering what filthy things I’m promising to do to you later when you come to my room, you are coming to my room by the way.” Her eyes narrow, but it’s playful as hell. “The guys are wondering if you’re biting into your bottom lip, if your eyes are growing darker, and wishing they knew what that looked like, knowing they’ll never get the chance now that you’re mine.”

“Wow,” she teases, purposefully breathy. “You really think you’ve got this whole prepped and ready thing down.”

A laugh escapes me before I can squash it, and I tug her a little closer.

She stares a long moment. “So, I’m challenged with convincing everyone your mood swings turn me on?”

“And I get to be the possessive boyfriend who doesn’t want you outta arm’s reach.”

“Get to?” She smashes her lips to the side, tryin’ real hard not to let her grin slip.

“Get. To. D.”

“What makes you think possessive is what I’d like?”

A light chuckle leaves me, and I lick my lips, leaning into her as I slowly slide my arms down. When she doesn’t budge, my palms slip a little lower, now resting just below her waist, my pinkies propped on her ass cheeks.

She inhales, waiting.

“Demi,” I whisper. “I’ll tell you right now, the last thing you want is a pussy ass dude who won’t push you. You’re too smart, too independent for a doormat of a guy, and too strong to ever be one yourself. You’ll take charge... but you’ll like it more when I do.”

Her ass tightens against my hand and instantly my brows snap together.

Hold on...

I skim my hand across her waist, gripping her hips and squeezing until she lets out a small yelp. She falls against me, and my mouth plants right at her ear.

“Rule number one, Little D.” Her breath fans across my chest. “Don’t ever go panty-less again... unless there’s a real good reason for it.” I pull back, locking my eyes to hers. “A reason that includes me.”

She studies me a minute before her head tips down and a light laugh leaves her. “This is going to be interesting, isn’t it?” She looks up again, humor written across her face – hidden heat behind her eyes.

“Fun.” I shrug. Letting my arms fall. “It’ll be fun.”

“Will you always be so... extra?”

“Yes. And you’ll still want more.”

“Uh-huh.” She laughs. “We’ll see, now let’s go eat before it gets cold.” She gets a few feet away, and then adds in a mischievous undertone, “And before the wind starts. Wouldn’t want my boyfriend to get mad when it gives away my lack of underwear.”

I dart for her, but she evades, smiling wider.

She skips back to the table, proud of her little teasing, and drops in the middle of Carley and Macy.

I take my seat at the end by Trent, lifting my chin when she looks my way.

She brings her straw to her lips, grinning like a brat.

With a shake of my head, I reach for a fresh beer bottle from the iced beer tub in the center of the table and pop one open.

“Damn, Nic,” Trent says under his breath.

I glance his way, my eyes narrowing when he cuts a quick glance toward the girls, only to bring them right back.

“What?”

A scoffing laugh escapes from him and he shakes his head. “Nothing, man.”

I drop my arms from the table so my plate can be lowered in front of me, thanking the server as she moves along.

I get it, he’s unsure about what I’m doing, but so the fuck am I.

Still doing it.

I grip his shoulder, giving him a little shake. “Let me worry about what needs worrying, Trent.”

He lifts his hands as if to say do your thing.

I plan to.The boardwalk is pretty fucking crowded, as expected on a three-day weekend, but for the most part, everyone who came for Krista’s birthday is sticking together.

Right now, we’re all in line for the trolley ride that takes you from one side of the coastline and drops you on the opposite end. Demi ran ahead with the girls and is almost in the front, while I’m stuck several spaces back with a few guys from the team.

Of course, I’m not the only one with eyes on her.

Alex snakes his way through our crowd, slithering right in line beside her.

She’s talking with her friend Ava when he inserts himself in their conversation.

Her head snaps his way, and instantly she throws her head back, laughing at whatever lame ass joke he’s spit.

“Now they look right together.”

I don’t bother to turn when Josie’s voice finds me. “Who invited you?”