Page 7 of The Perfect Spiral
“I can kick his ass if you want.” “You boys and your rush to punch each other.” He lifted his hands into fists and said, “Me, protect you.” He grunted like an ape and I laughed.
Someone came and tapped Wes on the shoulder and he went off to help the guy bring another keg in from the basement. On his way back, girls kept stopping him to talk.
In less than twenty minutes, Wes flirted with three different girls—laughing, touching arms, flashing that signature grin. I finished the last of my beer and eyed Wes’s friend from earlier. He shot me a glance that lingered a beat too long. I considered walking over, just to talk, but before I could take a step, a warm hand closed around my arm. “Where do you think you’re going?” It was Wes.
Guess he had been paying attention to me. “Aren’t you busy with your other three girls, Mr. Charming?” I asked.
“Maybe I’m trying to distract myself.” “From what?” His eyes met mine, more serious than I expected. “I talk to those threegirls because there’s one girl I really want, but she won’t give me the time of day.”
I blinked. “Who?” He stepped closer, voice low. “Think harder, Al.” “Wait... Are you flirting with me?” I asked. “Maybe I am,” he shrugged. “You all made fun of me in high school and never let a guy come near me!” I reminded him, and he laughed out loud.
“That was all Knox. I had no say in that.” “Freaking Knox. I had the displeasure of his company yesterday.” Wes froze mid-drink. “Knox? I didn’t know he was here.” His tone shifted—cooler, stiffer.
“Yeah,” I said, keeping my voice casual. “I accidentally called him instead of my brother. He showed up... we just talked for a bit. Nothing crazy.” Wes's whole posture changed. I couldn’t tell if it was protectiveness... or jealousy. “Whatever,” he said with a shrug, then tugged at my hand and said, “Come on, let’s go dance. I want to make all the guys jealous.”
We made our way to the living room, which had been transformed into a makeshift dance floor. It was packed and humid, and everyone was grinding on each other.
We started to dance with each other, goofing around with the most cringe-worthy moves, until he pulled me closer as the song changed. He turned me around so my back was pressed against his chest.
I saw Andy grinding really hard on the guy she was with and I couldn’t help but laugh. Wes rested his chin on my shoulder and whispered, “Just move your hips like Andy is doing.”
His hands were on my waist, guiding them from side to side. His tone was so seductive that I was beginning to be turned on by it. I could feel his breath getting heavier on my shoulder and neck.
His hands left my waist, but I grabbed them and put them back on my hips. I really shouldn’t be doing this with my brother’s best friend, but it’s been a while since I’ve been touched like this.
I started to grind up against Wes as if my life depended on turning him on. “Fuck!” I heard him groan in my ear. I felt his arousal against me.
He turned me around to face him, lifting my arms and placing them around his neck.
He looked so good in the dim lighting. As we continued to sway to the beat, he placed his hands on the small of my back.
I closed my eyes to savor the moment, knowing it wouldn’t last.
“So beautiful,” he whispered, more to himself than to me. He sighed.
“I think we need to stop dancing before I do something that will land me in deep shit,” he said, opening his eyes to meet mine again.
“Like what?” I asked, breathless.
“Like…” he sighed again, “like kiss you.” My eyes widened at his bold words.
“I would like to avoid getting my face bashed in by your brothers, you know, bro code and all that,” he chuckled.
I rolled my eyes and laughed too. After a moment of silence, I whispered in his ear, “What if I kissed you?”
Chapter 4
Wes leaned his forehead against mine. His voice was low and rough. “You’re driving me crazy, Alex. Do you know that?”
We stared at each other for what seemed like forever, daring each other to go through with what we both wanted. I tightened my grip around his neck, which made him pull me closer. This was so wrong but felt so good. If I kissed him, he would be the second guy from my brothers’ friends I kissed.
Knox was the first guy I ever kissed, but it was a dare, so relax. Get him out of your head, Alex! I mentally shook my head to clear it. Wes is right in front of you... Hello?!?!
“I want to kiss you so bad it hurts,” Wes said, “but I’d still get beaten to a pulp by Kyle in particular, and I do like my face.”
“I like your face too,” I said.
He slid his hands from my waist up towards the top of my back and pulled me closer. “Alex, we shouldn’t—” he breathed out onto my lips.
