Page 44 of Holidating
Except I haven’t been this horny since ninth grade, when Joey Birnbaum showed me how to find porn on my phone. And, sure, I could have hooked up on my road trip. The female hockey fans in Maine appreciate Mr. Smooth almost as much as the ones in Vermont.
But it just wouldn’t feel right, you know? Maybe I really should consider a career in Hollywood. I’m better at this acting thing than I’d thought. I’ve gone and convinced myself that Abbi and I are sexual soulmates. I can’t cheat on my soulmate.
So I haven’t hooked up at all. In fact, I haven’t gotten any action since before Thanksgiving—since the night I’d hoped to hook up with Abbi and then realized why we couldn’t.
After that, she was sort of under my skin, I guess. Now I’m looking at the longest dry spell in my adult life. It’s hard. I mean that literally. Some nights I can’t even concentrate because I’m so pent up. The guys are getting used to the way I space out in the middle of conversations.
Yesterday after practice I was sitting on the bench thinking lustful thoughts about Abbi when I spaced out in the middle of an argument between Pax and Patrick about a new defensive play we’re working on.
Coach Garfunkle tried to get my opinion, but I had no idea what they’d been saying. “You okay, son? You look a little unsteady.”
“He’s just horny,” Tate had cracked. “He’s got it bad for a girl he can’t have. Wait—is there a crystal for that?”
The whole team laughed, but Coach Garfunkle pulled a stoneout of his pocket. It was—wait for it—oblong and pointy at the end. Like a rose quartz dick. “This is what you need.”
Two dozen hockey players roared their approval. “Really?” Lex Vonne had gasped. “Quartz can make you less horny?”
“Well…” Coach Garfunkle shrugged. “At least it will remind him that there’s something in the world harder than his junk.”
Yup, I’m the laughingstock of the team now. But at least there’s a good reason for it, and that reason is Abbi. I’m waiting for her at the bar again until she’s finally ready to leave the Biscuit.
She eventually arrives at my elbow, her apron and visor missing. She’s touched up her lipstick, and now I’m staring at her mouth again, the way a puppy eyes the burger on your plate. Hungrily.
“All right,” she says, one hand on her hip. “Let’s get on with this charade. Although I’m sure he’s got the message by now.”
“What charade?” a gruff voice barks at close range.
Fuck. I look up to see Price standing right behind her. “Nobody’s talking to you, are they?”
“Asshole,” Price growls. “You and this stuck-up bitch can have each other. I wouldn’t want your sloppy seconds anyway. She and her mom were just trailer trash.”
At the mention of her mom, pain flashes in Abbi’s eyes.
“Hey, fucknuts,” I growl, my blood suddenly pounding in my ears. “Now you’ve really done it. Take this outside?”
“No,” Abbi gasps, her hand shooting out to grasp my wrist. “Don’t get into trouble overhim. He’s not worth it.”
Price makes a low chuckle. “Please. Make my day.”
I really want to. I could flatten him in seconds. I’m sure of it. But Abbi is begging me with her eyes not to.
Shit. It would feel great to deck him. But I know his type. He’ll call the cops and press charges for assault. Coach will lose his mind. I can hear the shouting already.
None of that matters, though. Only the look on Abbi’s face right now. It’s pleading with me for patience. If I hit Price, I’ll make her life more difficult in other ways.
“Okay,” I say softly. “Okay, honey.”
Now, the trouble with being a great actor is that sometimes you lose yourself in your work. That must be why I lean forward and giveAbbi a very gentle kiss on the lips. It’s a kiss that says:your big strong boyfriend listens to you.
At least it was supposed to say that. But the moment our lips touch, something snaps. I’m not the fake boyfriend anymore. I’m not even Mr. Smooth. I’ve gone past that and straight on to Mr. Sexy Beast.
And Mr. Sexy Beast is famished. His kiss is firm and full of questions.Isn’t this nice? Can I have a taste? Why haven’t we done this before?
At first, Abbi goes still with surprise. But she gets over her shock in a heartbeat. Two hands quickly grip my jacket. Then she stands up on tiptoes to improve our connection.
I tilt my head and tease the seam of her lips with my tongue. Everything is bliss as Abbi lets out a little moan of longing.
But the sound seems to wake her up. Her eyes fly open again, and she takes a quick step backward. “Wow, I…” She takes a deep breath.
