Page 2 of Forbidden Fruit (Sweet Treats 7)

“And I want an Orange Crush,” adds Britt.

I can tell my boyfriend’s about to say something about how soda is bad for you because it has a lot of sugar and empty calories. But he sees the glowering looks on my friends’ faces, and shrugs before getting up from the lunch table.

“Fine!” he calls over his shoulder. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

Once he’s gone, my friends look at me.

“Kris, I have no idea why you’re dating him,” says Britt. “Seriously, that guy is a loser.”

“Triple loser,” adds Kaylee. “I mean, just dump him and be over it!”

I nod. I’ve been thinking about breaking up with Ryder for a while now, but I just shrug my shoulders.

“Yeah, but we’ve already bought our tickets for Prom, and I feel bad dumping him now. We matched my dress to his tuxedo, and you know how Ryder was also voted a member of Prom Court this year. I kind of want to go with him,” I say tentatively.

Kaylee snorts, flipping a long strand of golden hair behind her shoulder.

“Nothing is worth staying with that guy even a day longer,” she says emphatically. “Nothing. You would have to poison me and tie me up to get me to date him.”

“Yeah,” adds Britt. “You would literally have to beat me unconscious to get me to go to Prom with him,” she remarks helpfully.

I roll my eyes and make a funny face.

“Okay, who’s being dramatic now? How would you go if you’re unconscious?”

My friends get innocent looks on their faces.

“It’s just a saying,” smiles Britt.

“Who, us, dramatic?” asks Kaylee innocently. “Seriously girlfriend, we’re just trying to help.”

I take their hands in mine.

“Yeah, but that’s the thing. I’ve already decided that I want to go with Ryder to Prom. His personality is bad, but we’ve already dated for two years. Plus, you have to admit that he’s really, really handsome. It’s basically the reason why he was elected to Prom Court. Everyone knows he’s a douche. It’s his good looks that get him places.”

Britt merely makes a yuck face, like she’s just seen a squashed bug.

“No guy is that good-looking,” she says. “Again, you’d have to beat me unconscious. I’m serious.”

“Or some poison would be useful just about now,” adds Kaylee darkly, as Ryder comes sauntering back. “Save me!” she mock-cries, putting her hands around her neck in a mock strangle-hold. “Oh my god, save me.”

But Ryder’s within earshot again, and quickly, we try to look innocent as he sets down the sodas on the table. Fortunately, my boyfriend has been distracted by something on his phone, and merely takes a seat without commenting. It’s probably Candy Crush, come to think of it, or some other inane video game. The rest of lunch goes by uneventfully, and we head back to class for the afternoon.

But now, it’s the big night. Ryder’s going to show up at my dad’s house any moment to pick me up. I know he’s going to look like Prince Charming with his head of black hair, patrician profile, and strong jaw. The tux will look perfect on him, and we’ll match because his pink bow tie matches my pink gown.

But yes, this gown. I do a half-turn in front of the mirror, studying my figure again. It’s a strapless mermaid-style dress which hugs my breasts and waist before gently flaring around the knees. The pink material is a sheer chiffon dotted with crystals, and when I twirl a bit, the fabric floats beautifully, as if I’m dancing across a ballroom floor.

I smile to myself. Hopefully, Ryder likes it. God, he better because in fact, tonight is a very special night. We’ve booked a room at the hotel where prom is being held, and I’m going to lose my innocence to Ryder tonight. We’ve done a lot of stuff in the past, but we’ve never gone all the way. Instead, there’s been plenty of heavy petting along with some labored breathing, but we always stopped when it got too heated.

After all, I want to save myself for a special occasion. Okay, maybe Ryder’s not the greatest guy ever, but at least he’s insanely handsome. I’ll be losing my virginity to a man who looks like a Greek god, even if he behaves like a child sometimes. My plan is to get him to talk as little as possible, maybe with the help of some alcohol. I don’t know. I’ve heard that too much booze can impair a man’s performance, and I don’t want to do that.

Regardless, Ryder has a hot body, and that’s what I’m looking forward too. Plus, I’ve played with his tool in the past, and it’s decent. It’s about five inches long, uncut, and the diameter of a magic marker. I’ve traced the veins along the sides, making him moan, and tonight, I want to feel it deep within me for the first time.

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