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His intense stare is riveted on me, and his lips part, like the beginnings of arousal have finally found him.

This split second change in his eyes—it’s like a switch flipping off the disdain in my mind.

Suddenly, I forget how to breathe. And all I can think of is how those lips will feel against mine.

Every cell in my body stands at attention. My skin sensitizes—feeling my linen dress brushing against my legs, the tightness of my no-frills bra against my suddenly swelling breasts, the desperate craving I have to be touched, caressed, and kissed. This raw magnetism is palpable.

I don’t remember ever feeling this way with anyone before, least of all him.

Air rushes out of my lungs. I should leave. He’s a mess, a hedonistic flirt who probably goes through women like toilet paper. I shouldn’t be attracted to him. It makes no sense.

His nostrils flare, like he can read my mind. His chest moves rapidly—up and down, up and down—each breath drawing attention to his perfectly sculpted body, glistening with a sheen of sweat.

My fingers twitch. The brunette says something and that fake smile of his reappears, but he doesn’t look away from me.

Then, his tongue dips out, and he slowly wets those perfectly carved lips. He reaches into his drink and pulls out a cherry, his fingers playing with the stem before he brings the fruit to his lips. Keeping his eyes on me, he slowly swirls his tongue around the base of the cherry, then flicks it hard before feathering light lashes on it.

Sharp pleasure zings between my legs, my clit answering his suggestive motions with a telltale pulse.Is this what he looks like when he goes down on you?My nipples harden, the abrasion from my bra is the most torturous foreplay. Rex sucks the cherry into his mouth, the motion slow and sensual, his gray eyes now nearly obsidian.

Heat gathers in my core and I fight the urge to clench my thighs because I know he’ll see it. But something must have given me away because after he finishes eating the fruit, he licks his lips like he’s still famished.

Like he wants me.

Unbidden, I touch my tingling bottom lip, feeling his sexy swipe on my skin.

Those piercing eyes flash with darkness.Danger, Olivia. Run.He steps forward, only to be held back by his companions.

What am I doing?I’m better than this. I don’t make bad decisions like flirting with my best friends’ older brother, who clearly has problems. The man doesn’t even like me, right?

The thought slaps me awake from this strange trance. Why do I want to shake him and climb him at the same time?

And why does it look like he’ll let me?

It’s Rex.He’ll let anyone with a vagina use him. He’s a playboy. I know his type. He prefers to ignore his problems and bury his head in the proverbial sand by surrounding himself with pleasure.

He’s the definition of someone who doesn’t want to do the work.

This is ridiculous.I’mbeing ridiculous.

I shake my head and straighten.

Whatever he sees on my face has him standing taller as well, the fire in his eyes replaced with ice.

The redhead grabs his face and plants her lips on his.

Acid roils in my gut, and I want to throw up.You’re disgusted, Olivia. That’s why you’re feeling this way.

Still staring at me, Rex hauls the redhead close, then kisses her back. But just as abruptly, he pulls away. A small smirk tips his lips, like he’s taunting me.

But then, the strangest thing happens.

His gaze softens, and he frowns.

Like something flashed through his mind, and now he’s in pain.

I stumble back and press a hand to my chest, an answering ache flaring there. It has to be a trick of the flashing lights.

Because I recognize this expression. Twisted anguish hidden behind fake charm and smiles. Cries for help in the form of boisterous laughter.