The Real

Abbie’s Mac: My mother says I was the most restless and eager kid on the planet. And she claims I ruined every spelling bee, blurting the answers out of turn.

His brow lifted as he gave me another knowing twist of his lips.

Cameron’s Mac: You totally ruined them.

Abbie’s Mac: Yes, Cameron, I am I M P A T I E N T. I ruined the second-grade spelling bee and Steven Marcum’s epic comeback. I was an asshole kid.

Cameron’s Mac: Overachiever?

Abbie’s Mac: No, but I wanted to be. So badly. My mother’s praise was all I craved.

I gave a light laugh while I typed.

Abbie’s Mac: My mother’s love made me an asshole.

Cameron’s Mac: I love it when you crack yourself up. Laugh at your own shit. It’s adorable.

Abbie’s Mac: You do?

Cameron’s Mac: Yeah, I do. And you’re not even funny.

I shot him the bird. That earned me a chuckle.

I studied his Adam’s apple while he laughed, itching to get my lips on it, that’s when I saw the deep scratch next to it.

Abbie’s Mac: What in the hell happened to your neck?

Cameron’s Mac: Max’s pit bull, Veronica. She gives shitty hickies.

Abbie’s Mac: That looks awful.

Cameron’s Mac: Doesn’t hurt. And don’t worry, she made sure to apologize by taking a shit in my Nikes.

He grinned and swept his tongue over his bottom lip. My breathing went shallow as I let my imagination get the best of me.

Cameron’s Mac: Want to take a shot at a better hickey? I have the whole left side free.

Abbie’s Mac: Hickies are for High Schoolers and now you’re telling me I’m competing with a pit bull?

Cameron’s Mac: You don’t have to suck, I don’t mind just your lips and tongue.

His smile turned devilish as he typed.

Cameron’s Mac: And I’ve known Veronica longer, she’s proven her loyalty.

Abbie’s Mac: Ouch.

Cameron’s Mac: Want me to come over there and attend to that? Just tell me where it hurts.

Warmth flushed my body as his eyes swept me.

Cameron’s Mac: You’re out of coffee.

Inwardly, I sighed as he stood and walked over to retrieve my cup. He leaned down and picked it up so we were eye level. It was the first time we’d been face-to-face since we’d met, and I felt myself sink into the seat as his heated green eyes scanned my face.

I felt it then, the undeniable pull, the buildup of attraction that flowed between us like a low lying electric current. It stunned me into clearing my throat. He picked up the cup and waited, for what I wasn’t sure. Licking my lips, I concentrated on his mouth, my heart pounding as he leaned in a little further, and then a little more. One inch would have our mouths meeting.

My heart sputtered as blood flowed everywhere, circulating and collecting between my thighs. I wanted his kiss. I wanted it more than my next breath, the one he stole with his subtle inch forward. The sheer size of him was alluring on its own, never mind the intoxicating smell of leather and man that drifted into my nostrils. The man wore a cologne designed specifically to get me high.