Desired (Two Marks 2)

I put my hands on my hips. “What’s that?”

A sexy smirk flirted with the corners of Nash’s mouth. “We have a proposition for you.”

I heard one of the women gasp behind me, but didn’t turn to look and see which one it was.

I cocked a hip, an unfamiliar sense of power coursing through me at being the center of attention for such attractive men. Men!

“We’ll each give you a kiss, and you pick who will take you home. If you can’t choose, you’ll have both of us.” Nash glanced Cord’s way, and Cord nodded his agreement.

Shelby stepped closer and made a knowing sound—something like mmm hmm.

“I let both of you kiss me, and then I’m supposed to pick the best kisser?” I asked in disbelief. “Why does this sound like some kind of children’s book? Will one of you turn into a frog at the end?”

Nash’s grin grew wider. “Not a frog.” He moved in close, not quite invading my space, but right on the edge. “Are you game, Rachel?” His voice dipped lower, and it was as much of a challenge as a question.

I licked my lips. I wasn’t in California any longer. Two guys wanted me. Sure, I wanted to take some time and find myself, but wasn’t this part of the journey? To find out what I liked in a guy? I had two who were willing to be guinea pigs. Or frogs. Whatever. I would be stupid to turn it down. Both men knew the score. I wasn’t two-timing or cheating. Shelby and Caitlyn said it was a thing here, so it wasn’t as if people were going to talk. Would I always wonder if I walked away from… them?

I took a deep breath, not believing I was going to do this. A few days ago, I was Rachel from California. Now, I was just plain-old Rachel. These guys didn’t know I was rich. Didn’t know where I was from, where I went to school, that my parents were overbearing with their love. They knew nothing but had the basest of interest in me.

And I liked it.

“I’m game.” My voice came out sounding rusty.

Nash stuck his hand in his pocket and withdrew a quarter. “Heads or tails?” Sliding a glance at Cord, he flipped it in the air.

“Heads.”

Nash caught the quarter and slapped it on the back of his wrist. All five of us leaned in to see the reveal. “Heads, it is.”

Goosebumps raced across my skin as I turned to Cord, but I gave Nash a quick glance. Suddenly, I was a little nervous that they’d throw punches again. But he only gave me another wink. “My turn soon, beautiful.”

This was crazy. I felt like a schoolgirl playing Spin The Bottle or Truth Or Dare, but nothing in the world could drag me away from this experience.

How easy would it be to choose? I couldn’t decide if I was hoping for a clear winner, or for a tie. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and I definitely wanted to try kissing two different guys. My only experience had been Chester, and that was like kissing a cold fish.

A tie.

Oh God, I actually wanted a tie!

Caitlyn and Shelby nudged me toward Cord, who came close with all the confidence and swagger of a bull rider. He reached out and cupped the back of my head, drawing my face to his as he leaned down. My breath caught, but he stopped just when my eyes were about to flutter closed, and met my eyes for one searing moment.

The heat and glow to his golden gaze sent tremors of excitement down my legs, curling my toes.

“Hi,” he murmured.

I almost swooned.

My panties soaked with arousal. I felt like a goddess, more beautiful, more worshipped, more honored than I’d ever felt in my life.

“Hi,” I whispered back.

Cord closed his eyes, and he brought his lips to mine.

There were whoops and cheers from Caitlyn and Shelby, and words of encouragement, like we were in a sports competition and needed to be egged on.

I grasped Cord’s strong arms to steady myself, rising up on my toes to meet him. He went slowly. Just a brush of his lips across mine. Then another. He slanted his mouth and tasted me. Then it was like he lost control. He wrapped an arm behind my back and yanked my body flush against his while he devoured my mouth. His tongue swept between my lips, he twisted and sucked and demanded I give him everything—every ounce of passion I never knew I had inside me.

And I gave it.

It poured out of me. I returned the kiss with a fervor, a desperation for more. I melded my body to his. If I could have crawled up him like a tree, I probably would have. As it was, I lifted one leg and slid it along the side of his, like I was offering up my core. Like we were having sex, standing up and fully clothed.