“She knows he doesn’t wake till noon.”
I feel like pulling my hair out, but my sister would maim and murder me. “Am Idone, Lola?”
“It’s about as good as it’s going to get!” She dusts off her hands and kisses my forehead. “You’re gonna look so hot for those nerdy BuzzFeed people, they won’t know what to do with themselves. And Baby … you deserve to have fun with Jett tonight, you’re young and I’m sorry we freaked and put so much pressure on you.”
I give her another tight squeeze, look at myself in the mirror, and decide she’s right. Ithank her and snap a selfie of us together, because yes, she’s a bitch, but she’smybitch. Iwander into my parents’ bedroom to see Dad’s reaction to Mum’s news. He’s sitting up in bed with tea in one hand and Mum’s phone in the other.
“Baby, you are my shining star, you know that? You’re relaxing at a casual pool party, and now you’re suddenly a model breaking the internet!”
“Oh, stop!”
“Your chemistry with Jett sold out her entire collection. You made her cry tears of joy, Baby. Am Inot allowed to be proud of my daughter and son-in-law?”
“Dad! Don’t even start!”
“I can’t fucking win, can I? You wanted me to approve. This is me approving. You look beautiful, dear. Where are you going?”
“Just a little interview downtown, will only take an hour, Ithink.”
He nods, starting to tap on his phone. “And tonight Jett’s taking you out?”
“Is he texting you?” Itry to rush at his phone, but he holds the steaming teacup in my way, so Ican’t grab it.
“Yes, and it’s a private conversation, do you mind?”
“Dad, I’m twenty-five, not fifteen, please don’t give him a lecture!”
“That’s what dads do! But I’m not currently lecturing; I’m just making sure his plans will impress you. You know, you lot aren’t the easiest to please.”
“You must be thinking of your other daughter.”
“Ha! Good one, Baby. Oh, that package I’ve been tracking has just been delivered. Run and grab it for me, please?”
I nod and realize that although my hair and makeup are flawless, I’m still in tiny PJs and my boobs are bouncing out of control as Ijog down the ridiculous grand staircase. Iswing the heavy wooden door open anyway, and yep, there’s a package on the front steps all right, wrapped in tight black leather. The most delicious thing I’ve ever found on my porch.
“Jett! What are you doing here?”
“It seems I’m here to remove those little pyjamas, darling, but Dad said you needed a ride downtown.”
I swing my left arm out to reference the massive black G wagon in the driveway. “Does it look like Ineed a ride? HBO money well spent, and Ilike to drive fast. Ithought all rockstars slept till noon. Are you literally here to have Bryson take me downtown?”
“My schedule is weirdly clear today, so … it’s either sit around and think about you, or come here and make your life easier. Is it all right that Ichose the latter? I’m trying to be nice, and you’re such a brat, Baby.”
My heart is bouncing off the walls of my chest cavity, much like Jett bouncing around thinking about me.
“Guilty as charged, now come here!”
I blink, and Jett has me pressed against the door. His body is hot and pulsing with energy under his skin like always, but this time, I’ve also gothot energy pulsing between my thighs. He sucks at my lower lip, and Ipart them in time for his tongue to tangle with mine, stealing my breath and my sanity, what’s left of it.
His lips leave mine, and Ipout. “Are you mad Icame over early?” he murmurs against my neck.
“The absolute opposite, actually. Ijust get crabby when I’m treated like a—”
“Babygirl?” he whispers into my ear, where his teeth are grazing. “You might not like being babied bythem, but Idon’t think you’ll mind it with me, darling.”
I stifle what may have been an embarrassingly loud moan. Chills break out everywhere as his fingertips creep under my tank, up my hips, stomach, ribcage, until I’m practically panting and accidentally let my inside thoughts outside.
“Two years of Ace and he never made me feel the way you have, and you haven’t even taken my clothes off,” Isay, thankfully cut off by the moan that escapes my lips as his nails trace lightly around my breasts, ghosting over my nipples as they stiffen.
