Page 13 of This or That
Once again, I heave a frustrated growl when he betrays me by abruptly breaking the kiss on his own terms. Panting, I come up for air. Sexed-up. I grumble my disapproval. Hornier. I growl my yearning. Disappointed. I grunt my frustration. My pulse trips over itself.
His limbs entangled with mine, he leans in closer, his uneven breath tickling my earlobe. “Open your eyes.” Hunter’s tone is firm, but soft. “Now!”
His harsh delivery flings me back to reality. I stifle a pained sigh, ignoring the opera ringtone associated with Matteo. I can’t obey.
“Fuck you!”
“Interesting choice of words… yet again.” His voice is collected, although my closed eyes heighten my senses, and I don’t miss the sultry undertone.
Clueless to my runaway thoughts, he’s acutely aware of my carnal desire. He continues to tousle my hair. I hate that he, of all people, is able to establish it as an erogenous zone. My body burns, yet forgetting my jacket wasn’t the brightest idea. I’m assaulted by shivers that work their way down my aroused body.
Hunter repeats his command with a hint of irritation, and I freeze. This time, goosebumps appear for the wrong reason. This is wrong. This is so fucking wrong. He rests his palms on either side of my face. “Look at me, dammit, Channing!”
You know what, fucker? You don’t deserve to know my name. I’m going to win this game anyway.
Somehow, I’m forced to comply. It takes a second for my vision to adjust and settle on his talented mouth. “It’smeyou’ve been kissing.” His thumb strokes my cheek; I’m on fire. “It’smeyou’ve been grinding against.” The intimate gesture melts me. “It’smeyou’ve been longing for ever since our lips first touched.” A dull ache forms in my gut. “Own up to it.” The world spins, and I’m left weak, exhausted, and strangely alive.
What have I done?
I blink a couple of times to get reacquainted with the outside world, taking Hunter in. My raw urge for him needs to be tamed ASAP since I refuse to act on it again.
I’m not gay or bi or whatever. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not who I am. I was teaching him a lesson.
Coughing into my elbow, I shake my legs to restart blood flow, but he blocks the way. The back of my neck hurts. He can’t win. In a feeble attempt to escape, I whisper, “I need to go.”
What have I done?
I pull my phone from my front pocket and shoot Matteo a quick text to evade eye contact. Of course, I lie and tell him that I left and am in bed with a headache, when I’m in the arms of a man with a boner.
What have I done?
“No, you don’t.” I don’t miss his icy inflection, but his thumb travels to my swollen lips, making me lose focus as he untangles his body from mine without breaking visual contact.
“Fuck you!” I warn, regretting the words as they leave my mouth. I can’t stand this toxic man.
I need to go.
“Just so you know, you owe me three fucks.” His darkened eyes are filled with hunger. “Your call.” He winks but lets out a bitter laugh, as if digesting that his fantasy won’t become a reality.
Take that, dumbass!
“You don’t need to go,” the relentless man whispers to himself. Then, he startles me by sliding the tip of his tongue between my lips for one last quick kiss. I don’t have time to process it before he turns away without peering over his shoulder, killing me softly.
“I do.”
Chapter 9
Through My Ray-Bans
Troy
“Iswear to God I’m not making this up,” I roar, inadvertently attracting the attention of the other patrons surrounding the pool. The chubby redhead who’s had her nose in a book for hours tilts her head my way. I watch her squirm in her chaise lounge through my aviator Ray-Ban sunglasses, and her own sunglasses slide down her nose. I offer a silent apology, and she returns her attention to her e-reader.
Up until a minute ago, I was in a semi-comatose state, lulled by the ocean on my day off… until Anna’s name flashed on the screen and her excited voice replaced the music blasting through my wireless earbuds.
We’ve been at sea since leaving the Canary Islands three days ago. Soon, we’ll be arriving in Maceio, Brazil, our last stop before disembarking in Rio. My patience is running thin; aside from France, I’ve never been outside of the US, and I can’t wait to conquer the world! Did I mention that I’m having a blast performing here? I enjoy DJing, but this opportunity is beyond belief. Nicolas booked me a suite with a balcony; my gigs have gotten great feedback, and I feel like a rock star. Also, based on our most recent business talk, a record deal is within arm’s reach. Needless to say, things are pretty good right now. My gut tells me that this day can’t get any better.
“And, of course, you were minding your own business when you suddenly tripped and ended up lip-locked with Channing.” Yes, his nickname is official! Her words convey a clear visual that I cut short because my swim shorts can only conceal so much. “You’re incorrigible!” Anna goes into hysterics, and I wish that I could see her face as I disclosethenews that’s long overdue. Not willingly, mind you. Her new beau is keeping her busy—which couldn’t make me happier, but that’s no reason for spoilers—and I teased her via voicemail until she called back. I miss my friend; we tried a video chat once, but the connection was spotty, so we switched to calls. I imagine her dark blue eyes brightening with mischief as I recount how small the world is. “Did he taste as good this time around?”
