Clipped by Love (Bellevue Bullies 2)

“Yup, you’re going down.”

I flash her a dirty grin. “In your dreams, sweetheart.”

She wrinkles her nose at me, and I know it’s because she doesn’t like pet names, but I don’t care. I like the looks she gives me when I say them. They are a mix of contempt and really liking them. She’s just not used to them. Kissing her nose, I lean back against the bed and look toward the TV as the episode starts. When she leans her head on my shoulder, I smile.

“I thought you didn’t like cuddling,” I tease, and she shrugs, throwing her leg over mine.

“I don’t,” she answers but doesn’t say any more, and I don’t ask. Her actions speak louder than her words, and it’s killing me not to smother her with my body. Sucking in a breath to calm my need because I am not going to lose to her, I try to concentrate on the episode. But it’s so fucking hard.

Every movement she makes steals my attention. When she laughs, I can’t breathe. When she slides her hand in my pocket, yeah, I almost come undone. I want to bury myself in her, get lost in her beautiful splendor, but I will outlast this episode.

When her phone vibrates against my hip, she pulls it out before turning to her back, her head still against my ribs as she reads it. Call me nosy, but I find myself looking at the screen to see that it’s Delanie.

Delanie: Whatcha doing?

Baylor: Watching TV.

Delanie: Boring ho.

Well, isn’t that a nice way to talk to your friend, not that I have any room to talk. Baylor scoffs as she writes back.

Baylor: For your information, it’s with Jayden.

Delanie: SHUT THE HELL UP! ARE YOU NAKED?!

Baylor: Calm your tits, jeez. No! We are watching TV.

Delanie: Again, boring ho.

Baylor: lol. Whatever. I’m cuddling. Can you believe it?

Delanie: …what? With him?

Baylor: Yeah. Isn’t that what you do with a guy?

Delanie: Hold on, I missed something. Are y’all together now?

I can feel her grinning against my ribs, and for some reason I hold my breath as she types her back.

Baylor: Yeah. We are.

Delanie: What the shit! That’s so weird!

Baylor: Why?

Delanie: Cuz you don’t date! Are you sure you’re not just hooking up?

Baylor: Nope, I’m trying the whole relationship thing.

Delanie: Holy shit! You really like him then?

Baylor: I do.

“I do too,” I say suddenly, and she jumps before pressing her phone to her chest.

Looking up at me, her face turns red as she glares up at me. “Eavesdropping mothereffer, eh?”

I grin. “Maybe.”