Page 85 of Even Exchange

“I’m gonna grab us a drink,” she says, pushing to stand, and I clutch her firmly to my lap. “What are you doing?” she asks, wiggling in my arms, and I bring my lips to her ear.

“If you get up right now,” I rasp out, “everyone here is going to see the effect of the little show we put on.”

Her brows furrow, then go upward. “I thought that was your phone digging into my ass.”

I drop my face into her neck and shake my head. “My phone’s in the cabin.”

“Oh.”

Shifting in place, I try to readjust to Earth’s gravity. “Yeah.”

“But why?”

“I’m a guy, Char.” I bring my lips to her ear, releasing a shaky breath. “Just because this isn’t real doesn’t mean my cock got the memo. If I kiss a hot girl and she moans into my mouth, things are gonna happen below the belt.”

“I did notmoaninto your mouth,” she whispers, throwing a hand over her chest.

“Yes.” I swallow hard, the heavenly sound still echoing in my mind. “You did.”

“Sorry.” Even in the low light, I can see the pink creep onto her cheeks. “Guess my vocal cords didn’t get the fake dating memo either.”

I reach under Charlotte to adjust myself. “I think it’s safe for you to leave now.”

“Are you sure?”

“It’ll be fine.” I squeeze her leg. “I’m fine.”

She stands up. “Soda okay?”

I consider the Barracudas “suggested” meal plan and the puke-inducing training regimen that goes along with it. “Just water, thanks.”

“You got it,” she says, heading off towards the drinks table, my eyes trailing her as she goes. Her hips sway, shorts hugging her curves in a way that should be a damn crime.Take me to jail, Officer Benson.

Elijah clears his throat beside me, and I turn to him. Theo grins while nodding his head, then says, “I’m glad you finally gave up your no pussy rule.”

“That wasn’t the rule, and you know it,” I say pointedly. But his words are a reminder of the reasoning behind it. Relationships are messy. Distracting. Dangerous. I toy with the gold band on my necklace.

“I still prefer Elijah’s,” Theo says, nudging him. “More titties…”

Elijah cocks his arm back, throwing an imaginary football that Theo “catches.” “More touchdowns!” Elijah says, and they high-five.

“What are you high-fiving for?” I tease Elijah. “You’ve got the same tits forever.”

“Yeah.” Elijah smirks. “And they’re fucking perfect.”

Theo looks between us, face scrunched up. “You guys disgust me. All pussy-whipped and shit.”

Elijah throws his arm around Theo. “Wrapped up in a pussy is a perfect place to be.”

“Or two, or three,” Theo says.

Jonathan’s forced laughter pulls my attention across the campfire, and his eyes meet mine in a sarcastic grimace.

“Something funny?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he says at the same moment Charlotte returns with our drinks, and I immediately regret involving him in our conversation. She hands me a bottle of water, then slides awkwardly into my lap, glancing between us.

“What’s up?” she asks.

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