So that’s going to be a thing now. Awesome.
Nodding, I blink back any tears that are thinking of escaping. “So, um, we should probably get back to the party.”
His eyes dance along my features, focusing a little too long on my lips again, before saying, “Yeah, uh, about that...”
That snaps me out of any of my remaining melancholy, and I reply, “Not a whole lot of good things tend to follow that phrase.”
“I know you said you’re fine, but you’re probably going to want to stick close to me anyway,” he opens, giving me a look that implies he doesn’t believe I’m really fine. Which is true. Then his expression grows sheepish when he confesses, “So you should probably know about the new rumor going around. I mean you should know anyway, but, uh…”
“Nolan,” I warn, though some of the impact is probably lost since I can’t seem to remove my hands from his skin-- and all the nerves of my body are aware of every place we touch.
He sighs, “The new rumor is that you’re sleeping with all of us, and by sleeping with, I mean…”
“Yeah, I get it. I’m a virgin, not an idiot,” I laugh. “Is that it? I’m not holding you all to gunpoint while we do it or anything?”
“Uh, no,” he answers slowly, clearly confused by my reaction. “You don’t care?”
“I would if you were the ones spreading it, but as far as rumors go, five... er, four attractive guys who all want to have sex with me is not that bad,” I comment with a shrug, then muse, “Weird rumor for Gina to make-up considering how she feels about you, though.”
“Actually, that’s the silver lining,” he declares with a waggle of his brows. “Gina didn’t make it up, and no matter what she does, she can’t seem to make it go away. The fact that it appears I’d rather share a girl with my three best friends over being with her has her literally ripping her hair out.”
“That is amazing” I hoot.
He stands up and while helping me to my feet, he asks with an amused smirk, “Want to go piss off Gina more?”
“Wait, she’s here?” I exclaim, adjusting my wig so hopefully, everything is in place. I will give the sexy venom one thing, I may want to climb Nolan like a tree but my feet don’t hurt anymore.
“Most of the town is,” he explains, retrieving his fake fangs and snapping them back on. “And it’s not really in my family’s best interest to snub the coven leader and her family.”
“I’d say I’m surprised she has the gall to come, but this is Gina we’re talking about,” I grumble, then straighten my spine and announce, “Alright, I’m in. What are we going to do?”
“Dance.” He grins suggestively, then flips me up over his shoulder, and I giggle all the way down the stairs.
Chapter 17
Callie
“Sorry, need to borrow him for a bit,” Nolan declares, using his free hand to grab Donovan and drag him away from some girl dressed as a cheerleader… or maybe she’s a real one? Said girl does not look pleased over the interruption.
Donovan takes one look at me draped over Nolan’s left shoulder, giggling and waving, and shrugs at the girl, following wherever Nolan is leading us.
“What exactly am I helping with?” he shouts, attempting to be heard over the growing volume of the music.
Nolan yells back over his free shoulder, “Our Callie is going to feel really friendly for the next couple of hours, and I need help distracting her.”
“I see that,” he replies, watching me run my fingers along the base of Nolan’s spine extremely close to the waistband of his leather pants.
Now that I’m not wracked with guilt like last time or so angry I could murder Gina with my bare hands, I feel giddy and warm. With permission, I’m enjoying touching and being touched so much that I’m not even bothered that my butt is definitely on full view while Nolan threads us through a growing crowd.
Hoisting myself up, I brace one hand on Donovan’s shoulder and stage whisper, “I volunteered as a blood donor.”
“Loose lips while under the influence, I see,” Nolan teases, smacking the backs of my thighs.
“Whoops. Was he not supposed to know?” I exclaim, but then start giggling again.
Donovan smirks, but there’s a calculating look in his eye. “How long ago did you donate?”
“About ten minutes ago, and before your suspicious ass asks, I haven’t repaid the favor,” Nolan answers for me. “Which is why I need you.”
