Page 53 of The Jellybean Dilemma

I cracked up. “Do you have a Band-Aid? Cause I scraped my knee when I fell for you.”

“Ooh.” He grimaced. “I have a question. If you’re here, who’s running heaven?”

I stuck my finger in my mouth, pretending to gag. I glanced around, trying to find our group. “Where is everyone?”

“Probably at the bar.” We started walking that way, and he leaned down to say, “So do you have a name, or should I just call you ‘mine’?”

My jaw dropped as I gaped up at him. That was a little audacious, even for him, but I loved it. Mine. The word echoed through me. His smile was smug after he’d rendered me speechless, and I just shook my head.

Until I remembered another one and reached out my hand. “I’m going for a walk. Mind holding this for me?”

He frowned, staring at my hand. Then the joke clicked, and I got to watch his whole face light up. A chuckle rumbled through him before he slid his hand into mine, and we walked side by side to the bar.

“There you are!” screeched Erin. Her voice had gone up an octave since the night began. “Now we can do our Leg Spreaders.”

I froze, staring up at Greg. “Did she just say…?”

He nodded. “Sounds like a good idea to me. I’ll get yours.” The heated look he gave me told me he wasn’t talking about alcohol.

The shot went down easily, but I was so done with fast drinking and loud bars. I desperately wanted to chill. I could tell Mandy was over the scene, too. Erin was plenty wound up, but the way she downed shots between every song, I knew she’d regret it if she didn’t stop soon.

I leaned into Greg. “I think Mandy’s ready to call it a night. She’s got a big day tomorrow.”

He trailed a finger along my bare shoulder. “What about you?”

“I’d like to get out of the noise. Go somewhere quieter.” Honestly, snuggling with Greg was at the top of my want list.

“I’ll talk to her.” He headed in Mandy’s direction while I snagged another glass of water.

Dale was ready to go, too, and Mandy tasked him with convincing Erin we were done. I didn’t know what he whispered in her ear, but after he straightened up, she threaded her fingers through his and dragged him toward the door.

Peter came up to us, scratching the back of his head. “So, um, Mandy and I were kind of hoping to have the limo to ourselves for a few. Do you guys mind riding with Erin and Dale?”

“TMI, for sure.” Greg grimaced.

I laughed, nudging Greg before telling Peter, “We’re fine with that. You guys have fun.”

Greg stuck his fingers in his ears. “Not listening.”

Mandy walked up, giggling at her brother before she sidled up to Peter. “I take it you told him.”

At his nod, she moved over to wrap her arms around her brother’s waist. He reluctantly dropped his hands to hug her back. She came over to me next, whispering her thanks. I squeezed her tight and told her to have a good time.

We waved as they went to their limo, and I clung to Greg as we crossed to ours. He opened the back door, letting me go in first. I was unsurprised to see Erin and Dale making out in a fervid embrace. At least they’re still upright.

I was more than happy to sit with Just Greg. He draped his arm across the back of the seat, and I snuggled into him, using his warmth to fight the cold. Hauling my bare legs onto his lap, he adjusted my skirt, so it covered as much of me as possible. His right hand rested on my bare knee as the driver pulled us out onto the road.

Darkness filled the spacious back seat. Even the streetlights were filtered through the tinted windows. It was enough to keep my panic at bay, though, especially since I was in Greg’s arms.

He began tracing circles on my knee as I leaned against his shoulder. His fingers edged higher, beneath my flared skirt. Anticipation coiled within me as desire pooled between my legs. I ached for his touch, but this was Greg. And there were other people in the back seat, even if they were oblivious to anything but each other.

But he kept going. He slid right up, nudging my thighs apart. I bit back a gasp as I stared up at him in astonishment.

He whispered against my ear. “Just tell me to stop, and I will.”

I clung to him as his deft fingers found my damp panty line. “But—?”

“If you’re worried about them,” he said, nodding in the direction of Dale and Erin, “they’re occupied.” He nuzzled my neck, his lips grazing just below my ear as he added, “And if you’re worried about the end result, don’t.”

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