Page 38 of The Jack*ss in Class

“I took Sasha home because she was drunk and needed a safe ride.” I kept my voice gentle. “That’s all.”

“Oh, right.” She blinked a few times. “You’re sure back fast though. Quickie?”

Even drunk as shit, she was still filled with sass. No one but my brothers and one very bratty little sister sassed me. I liked it. Too much.

“Nope. When I take a woman to bed, there’s nothing quick about it. I like to take my time to tease, taste, make you tremble.”

“Pfft.” She leaned against my arm, losing her fight against consciousness. “I don’t tremble.”

“Then you haven’t had the right man in your bed.”

She didn’t say anything to that, and for a second, I wondered if she’d passed out. “You really just took her home cuz she was drunk and asked for a ride?”

“Yep.”

“That’s... actually really nice.”

“Try not to sound so surprised.”

“But you’re not nice.” She waved a hand vaguely. “You’re all... muscles. And beard. And two-weeks-only-no-girlfriend rules. And stupid perfect eyes that see too much. Nice guys don’t look like you.”

Jesus. Drunk Tempest was going to kill me.

I was going to kill whoever told her about my two-week rule. But I was also hoping she wouldn’t remember it tomorrow.

“I’m plenty nice,” I said, fighting a smile. “I even brought you water.”

I pulled a bottle from my pocket, that I’d grabbed on our way to the back porch, and held it out. She stared at it like it might bite her.

“You planned this,” she accused. “You knew I’d get drunk and need water.”

“Yes, that was my grand plan. Get you drunk by... leaving the party completely. So I could then rehydrate you.”

“Shut up.” But she took the water, and some of the tension in my chest eased. “Your face is stupid.”

“You just said my eyes were perfect.”

“They can be stupid and perfect.” She took a sip of water, then immediately made a face. “Everything’s wobbly.”

Before I could respond, she slumped sideways, her head sliding from my arm to my chest. Every muscle in my body locked up.

“You’re warm,” she mumbled.

Christ almighty.

I should move her. Should get her sisters to take her home, put some distance between us before I did something stupid like bury my face in her hair or pull her into my lap or?—

She nuzzled closer, and my brain short-circuited.

“This is nice,” she sighed. Then, so quietly I almost missed it, she said, “My hero would totally do this.”

“Your what?”

But she was already out, breathing deep and even against my chest. Except for that cute little snuffle-snore she just made.

I’d pick her up, get her sisters, and drive them home... in a minute.

SPICE GIRLS HANGOVER

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