Forest’s fingers curl into fists. “She doesn’t want to kiss you.” Frustration drips into his voice.
Anger.
Envy even.
He’s all stiff. He’s staring at his brother the way he looks at pictures of Diego and Mackenzie.
He’s jealous I’m kissing Holden.
It makes no sense.
He doesn’t want me.
He can’t bring himself to kiss me.
How can he be jealous I’m kissing someone else?
I nod okay to Holden. “I have high standards.”
“Oh? Your ex was good with his mouth?”
“Yeah.” I force a smile.
Forest’s jaw cricks.
Holden’s eyes flit from me to his brother, then back to me. He nods you see this too?
I shrug like I don’t.
He nods okay, sure. “Just kissing? Or eating you out too?”
My cheeks flush. Then my chest. I’m hot everywhere. Nervous.
I barely remember my last boyfriend. It was a million years ago. College. A desperate attempt to get over Forest. An attempt that failed miserably.
But I did…
He did…
Ahem.
“You seem like a woman who knows what she wants.” Holden wraps his arms around my waist. Pulls me closer. “You demand what you want?”
“I…”
“If you were my girl, would you climb onto my lap and demand to come on my face?” Holden asks.
Forest’s eyes fill with envy.
Holden’s expression gets knowing.
He cups the back of my head. Looks down at me like I’m everything he wants. “I ever tell you how much I want to fuck you?”
“Once or twice.” I swallow hard.
He leans down. Presses his lips to mine.
My eyes close. My hands go to his hair.
His technique is fine.
He even tastes good—like ginger and vodka.
But it’s weird kissing Holden.
Wrong.
Awkward.
I play my part. I tug at his t-shirt. Moan against his lips.
He groans back.
He groans loud enough to wake the neighbors.
Then he releases me.
I step backward. Turn to my fake boyfriend.
He’s glaring like his brother is the scum of the Earth. Like he can’t stand that Holden touched me. Like he’ll kill anyone who touches me.
“That’s a start.” Holden nods to Forest’s expression.
Forest looks down at his fists like he’s not sure why they’re curled. His eyes move over the room. Over me. “I—” He takes a step toward me. “How about this?”
He closes the distance between us.
One hand goes to my cheek.
The other goes to my waist.
He leans in closer. Turns so his lips brush my neck.
He runs his fingers through my hair. “Does it look real?” He drags his lips up my neck. Along my ear.
He’s just barely touching me.
But, God, that hint of pressure—
My entire body buzzes.
He…
I…
This…
“Yeah.” I barely push the words out.
“You two gonna fuck right here?” Holden asks.
“What do you think?” Forest’s voice gets louder. More confident. He presses his palm into my lower back.
“I…”
His fingers brush my skirt. “You dress like a goth princess.”
My blush deepens. “You say that—”
He pulls back enough to look me in the eyes. “I ever tell you how much I like it, princess?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“I do.” His eyes meet mine. “You’re beautiful.”
I swallow hard.
“Those pics on your Instagram drive me crazy.” His voice is smooth. Like he means it.
Does he mean it?
Is he making this work by telling the truth?
Or is he a better liar than I think?
“I know they aren’t for me. But I want them anyway,” he says.
I stare up at him. His dark eyes are so deep, so full of hurt, so beautiful.
My eyelids press together.
“I want to strip you to nothing and fuck you senseless.” He leans closer.
But he doesn’t kiss me. Not on the lips.
He brings his mouth to my neck again. Pulls my body into his.
He holds me close for a moment, then he releases me.
“Damn, Forest, you’re a fast learner,” Holden says. “Think I should fuck Skye while you watch. So you can get the hang of that.”
Forest rolls his eyes, suddenly without jealousy. “Are you trying to get a black eye?”
“Do it. I’ll look tough. You’ll cancel your appointments. I’ll take those sloppy seconds.” He blows me a kiss. “And these too.”
“I’m not going to do it. But if you keep starting shit, someone is.” Forest shakes his head. “You’re gonna end up dead. Or in jail. You want a repeat of senior year?”
Holden’s playful expression drops for a second. He shrugs it off. “I want to see Skye naked.” He winks at me. “However she wants to show me.”
“Goodbye, Holden,” I say.
“You’re leaving?” Holden takes in our attire. “In those outfits?”
“Yeah.” I smooth my dress. It’s fine. Appropriate enough.
“No, no, no. Skye, you’re a goddess.” He lays on the charm. “You look perfect. But my brother over here—” He shakes his head I don’t think so. “At least put on a clean shirt.”
Forest nods fair enough. He moves up the stairs, down the hall, into his room.
Holden waits until his brother is out of earshot. “It’s a bold play, Skye.”
“What?”
“What?” He copies my tone. Then my posture. Shrugs like he has no idea what I mean.