Page 63 of Take Me
“Yeah.Okay, yeah.”She tugs down her beard, stretching the elastic at the base of her skull.“Gotta keep up the act.”
I don’t know why, but I feel the need to insist this is only for show.“It’s nothing personal.”
Dark pupils flare as she licks those plush lips.“Why would it be personal to mash our mouths together and swap spit?”
“It’s just that everyone’s watching, and half the town probably knows what our exes are up to.”
She winces, and I know she feels just like I do.Having everyone staring and pointing and feeling sorry for us—it’s the worst fucking thing in the world.“I don’t want their pity.”
“What do you want?”My voice sounds rumbly and low, the polar opposite of Dolly Parton.
She looks at my mouth, then lifts her gaze back to mine.“You.”
My heart hits the back of my throat.I know she doesn’t mean it like that, but for one-tenth of a second, I feel what it would be like to have Erika crave me.That power, that thrill, has me pushing her back toward the wall.I cup the base of her skull in one hand as our mouths crash together and her lush body molds against mine.
And then I forget what this looks like to anyone else.We’re not two best friends faking their lust for each other, or even two cross-dressing clowns at the edge of a bar.We’re just Mason and Erika, two people who know how to touch one another.I know without thinking how to tip her head back to deepen the kiss.How to glide my hand down to the small of her back just to feel her shiver.
Her arms wrap around me as my tongue grazes hers, and she makes a soft sound in the back of her throat.She’s tender and sweet, fiery and filthy, everything I need in this moment.She’s grinding against me like we’ve fucked forty-six thousand times, and the only thing keeping us from doing it now is a cheap satin skirt and my brother’s underpants.
A series of catcalls rings in the back of my brain.Somebody shouts, “Get a room!”and I break the kiss just to say that’s a really great plan.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Her gray eyes look dazed, and her lips are the shade of crushed cherries.“Okay.”
Catching her hand, I tug her through the crowd toward the door.There’s no way out without seeing my brothers, and both guys look up as we pass by their table.
“We’re going to go have sex now.”As soon as I say it, I urgently hope it’s the truth.
Jake scowls and sets down his beer.“You’re not supposed to announce it, dumbass.”
Kaleb just shrugs.“Worked for me.”
“See?”I was here the night he kissed Brooke by that booth over there.“Tell all your friends that Big One’s is the key to getting laid.”
“Wait.”Jake’s surly scowl deepens.“We’ve gotta tell you something.”
“We know.”It’s Erika’s turn to drag me toward the exit.“Our exes are swapping gravy, and it’s great.”
“Good for them,” I agree.“Erika and I are moving in together.”
Her hand jerks in mine, but it’s the only outward sign that I’ve just taken things a little too far.“Yep,” she shouts, waving to my brothers and the rest of the crowd.“Much easier that way to have all this sex.”
“Tons of it,” I agree.“Good night, everyone!”
We’re practically running by the time we reach the edge of the parking lot.Her truck is parked next to mine, and she lets go of my hand to fish out her keys.
“Wait.”I put a hand on her driver’s side door.“I’m afraid if we go in separate vehicles, we’ll chicken out and not really do this.”
“Oh, we’re doing this.”Her palm hits my chest so hard I stagger back.“Um, maybe lose the boobs first.”
“Right.”
“And the wig.”
“On it.”I rip off the hairpiece and stuff it in my truck toolbox.
“Is this nuts?”She holds up a hand before I can answer.“Doesn’t matter.”
