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“Oh come on, he’s like freaky-obsessed with you.”
“He is not!” Violet protests, shoving me as we walk up the driveway. “He doesn’t even like me.”
“Sure, Vi, keep telling yourself that,” Rhiannon chimes in.
“Yeah, I agree with Ridoc. He’s obsessed with you, and it’s kind of weird, to be honest, Vi,” Sawyer adds.
“Yeah, we should have a safe word for tonight, for sure,” Rhiannon adds.
“YES, safe word is Xaddy.”
“Ridoc!” Rhiannon swipes me on the back of my head.
It’s Friday night, final exams week is finally over, and we’re on our way to the party of the year. We’ve been pre-gaming since four in the afternoon, I’m more than buzzed on a few too many Jell-O shots, and I’m so fucking ready for this. Half of Basgiath University is invited, but that’s not why I spent a half-hour obsessing over my hair tonight.
The party is at Xaden Riorson’s house. He’s a senior, he’s absolutely gorgeous, dark, scary, sexyyyyy. I’d totally tap that, except I tried flirting with him last year and he seemed both confused and annoyed, so I mean whatever. His loss, I’m amazing in bed. And now he’s freaky-obsessed with my bestie Violet, and good for her, she deserves some dark and steamy mystery in her life.
Xaden’s parents own like half this town so he’s got this fucking huge house that he shares with his three (also gorgeous and sexy) besties.
One of his housemates is Liam Mairi, who’s our bestie, too, since we’re in all the same classes. He’s how we got invited to Riorson’s house party in the first place. He’s tall and blonde and beautiful and the fucking nicest person I’ve ever met. He’d totally be my type if he was into guys. I tried to seduce him, but alas. He did let me down easy though, because honestly he’s so fucking nice.
Garrick Tavis is Xaden’s closest friend, he’s huge and hunky and the star of all the sports teams. The dude is made of muscles and I’d totally let him carry me to bed in fact I’ve had actual fantasies about that
And then there’s Bodhi fucking Durran. Xaden’s cousin, as gorgeous and sexy as Xaden but also sweet and kind and adorable. They’re both tall with this gorgeous brown skin and dark hair, but Bodhi’s hair is curly and falls in his eyes and he’s just… a total babe. And he’s secretly mine.
Bodhi and I have been secretly dating for just a couple weeks, and already it’s been the best weeks of my entire life. The sneaky thing makes it exciting and dangerous, which just adds to how fucking sexy he is at all times. He hasn’t come out yet, except to his three closest friends, so he doesn’t want people to know, which is okay with me for now because it’s fucking fun and he’s fucking HOT AS ALL HELL.
And as for me, I’m a sex god. Not one person here would predict that I’d settle down exclusively with a goody-goody straight (except he’s not) boy like Bodhi Durran.
Anywayyyy so we’re arriving at this party at the Riorson house and we’re teasing Violet about Xaden but inside I’m a jittery excited mess because I’m about to see Bodhi. Not even my best friends know, not yet at least, because I’m trying to respect his boundaries.
“You are so wiggly tonight, Ridoc,” Violet comments. I smile innocently.
“I’m just excited! I love parties!”
“Excited for a hot hookup, probably,” Sawyer adds. “Who’s on your mind tonight?”
I know exactly the one guy on my mind, but I just shrug and smile.
“Hmmm,” Rhi says suspiciously.
“Back to the safe word,” I redirect. “How about ‘shadow’?”
“That works. Why shadow?” Sawyer asks.
“I dunno, Riorson just seems… shadowy. You know, mysterious.”
“I do not need a safe word!” Violet insists.
“Well, just in case,” Rhiannon says as we walk through the doors of the Riorson house. My eyes are already scanning furiously for Bodhi, but I don’t see him, and I’m quickly distracted because they’re playing my song! So I put my hands up and turn right around to dance up to Vi and Rhi and Sawyer. All three of them start a little dance party with me and they’re such good friends and I love them so much!!
When my song ends I pull my friends into a group hug and then we all look around to take in the party scene around us.
Golden boy Mairi is already in the living room armchair with his tongue down some girl’s throat. Past Ridoc would be ugly-jealous at that. Current Ridoc has his own candy to suck on.
Speaking of my eye-candy, tongue-candy, where is that beautiful boy?
“Ooh, I see Tara over by the drinks,” Rhi says excitedly. “I’m gonna make a move tonight.” Violet and I squeal enthusiastically. They’re going to be such a hot couple. “Okay, see you guys later. Be careful, Vi,” Rhiannon says with a suddenly serious look at Violet.
“Yeah, you too Rhi,” Violet responds, wiggling her eyebrows and moving her eyes in Tara’s direction.
“Hey, Hendricks!” Garrick Tavis calls to Sawyer. They’re on the basketball team together.
“Hey, Tavis. Did you catch the Gryphons game last night?”
“Yes, man, fuck! That three pointer in the last second!”
“Right?!” They both start getting really into it, talking through the plays, lost in their own conversation.
I turn to Violet. “Sports!” I say cheerfully, offering her my arm. She laughs.
“Sports!” she replies, linking her arm through mine, and we leave them to sports.
“Violet!” a female voice calls as we walk into the dining room. It’s Violet’s sister Mira, and her brother Brennan is here too. They beckon us over to join them at the table, where they seem to be aggressively playing cards.
“Do you have any twos?”
“Go fish.”
“Ugh, fuck you, Brennan!”
All three of the Sorrengail siblings are hot as fuck, they’ve got gorgeous genetics. Brennan’s the only one I’d actually get with, because Vi’s my bestie and Mira would probably murder me, but alas Brennan has a long-term boyfriend, Naolin, whom he just adores. Lucky bastard gets to get his hands in those touchable auburn curls of Brennan’s whenever he wants.
Actually hmmm, what if I played fuck, marry, kill for the Sorrengails? I think I’d fuck Brennan, kill Mira, marry Violet. Yeah, for sure. Sorry, Mira.
“Let’s play something else,” Brennan says suddenly. “I haven’t had the chance to get drunk with my baby sister yet.” He tugs an arm around Violet.
“Let’s play flippy cup!” Mira says with enthusiasm.
“Fuck no, Mira, you always win flippy cup!” Violet responds. Mira just grins.
“No, I agree I think flippy cup,” Brennan chimes in, standing up and clearing the table of its various abandoned drink cups and snacks. “Now where can we get some cups?”
“I’ll get them,” I volunteer, wandering off into the kitchen with Violet following right behind me. I head right for the cupboard to the left of the sink and stand on my tippy-toes to reach the plastic cups on the top shelf. All four of the hotties that live here have got a good four inches on me (height, not… nevermind) so the top shelf is a decent option for them, but for me… it’s a stretch! But I manage it, and I turn to Violet, grinning.
“How did you know exactly where to look for the cups?” she demands as I hand the stack to her. Oh, shit! I forgot I was supposed to pretend I’ve never been here before!
“Uh, just seemed like the obvious spot.”
“No, if that was the case you’d be bragging about finding them on the first try,” she digs in, narrowing her eyes at me.
“Um…” I smile and shrug innocently.
“What is going on with you?”
“Nothing!”
“Something,” she insists. “Spill it.”
I’m saved from this treacherous conversation when Liam bounces in, greets us enthusiastically, and reaches past me to grab a glass. He fills it from the sink and chugs the water down.
“Enjoying yourself, Mairi?” I ask, grinning at him.
“Immensely,” he responds with an equally big grin. “How are you guys?” He wraps an arm around me and the other around Violet.
“Good,” Violet responds, still eyeing me with suspicion.
“Great!” I chirp. “Group hug!” I pull my arm around Violet and squeeze the two of them toward me. They both laugh and Liam snuggles his head onto my shoulder, then he pulls back and gives us both a sloppy kiss on the cheek.
“See ya later, loves,” he says, and we watch him saunter back to his lucky girl of the evening.
“Fucking flirt,” I mutter, wiping the back of my hand against my cheek and heading for the dining room before Violet can continue the interrogation.
Mira takes the cups from Violet and starts setting up. “Ridoc, you and Vi on this side-”
“Oh no, I’m not playing. I’m driving us home. Plus you guys scare me.” I start backing away before they can rope me in. “Have fun!” I give a little wave to my bestie and she rolls her eyes at me.
I move through the party, greeting people occasionally, my eyes searching for that gorgeous curly-haired boy I want to take to bed.
I finally spot him, leaning up against a wall and chatting with his cousin, both of them looking casually cool and calm and fucking stunning.
He hasn’t noticed me yet, so I let my eyes explore his perfect body, his defined biceps outlined in his fitted black tee, emphasized by the way he casually crosses his arms across his chest, those muscular legs I’ve been pinned under and fucking loved it… The way his hair flops into his eyes and he has to keep shaking it away…
Bodhi laughs at something Xaden says, his eyes crinkling up with his laughter, and I fucking melt, he is so fucking cute.
Then Bodhi’s eyes flicker over to me and he stands up straight and flashes me that adorable smile. He says something to Xaden, and they both look at me, and then Xaden nods and Bodhi leaves him behind to move across the room to me.
I’m fucking paralyzed, mesmerized by this absolute perfection of a man walking toward me with the most beautiful smile and all the dirty intentions.
“Hey, Ridoc,” he grins, stepping into my bubble and then leaning up against the wall next to me.
Oh fuck me the way he says my name is just
Mind-scrambling
“Hi, Bodhi,” I manage to say, mirroring his smile back at him. “How’s the party going?”
“Much better now.”
He’s looking at me with dark lusty eyes already and I’m gonna lose it if we have to pretend not to be all over each other tonight.
“Yeah,” I laugh nervously. “Me too.”
“Have you had a drink?”
“No, I’m driving.”
He makes a face. “You’re driving?” His voice lowers to a whisper. “I thought you’d want to stay here.”
“Fuck, Bodhi, you didn’t tell me… I want to,” I stumble on my words, sounding like an eager puppy.
“Xaden can drive your friends home. He doesn’t drink.”
I laugh at the idea of Xaden driving very drunk Violet, Sawyer, and Rhi home without me.
“It’s okay. I’ll stay another time, okay?” Bodhi looks slightly crestfallen, but recovers himself quickly.
“I guess we’ll have to get creative,” he says in a low voice. “I was really hoping to suck you off tonight.” I can’t help the little gasp that escapes me and I have to shift to try to relieve the ache in my too-tight jeans. Bodhi looks at me like a predator on prey and for a moment I think he might jump on me right here in the crowded living room.
Then he breaks the spell. “Come on,” he says, casually nudging my shoulder with his. “I need a drink, if I’m going to get through this party.” I follow him to the kitchen, past the dining room where flippy cup is looking deadly serious. The Sorrensibs are cussing and yelling at each other, all at various stages of inebriation, while Violet is stuck trying to flip her cup again and again.
I follow Bodhi to the kitchen, where he pours himself a drink and hands me a can of soda.
“So,” he says, smiling over at me. “Are you always the designated driver?”
“No,” I laugh. “I was drunk off my ass at the glow stick party.”
“Oh, yeah,” Bodhi’s smile widens as he remembers. We had been making eyes at each other all night, I knew I wasn’t interpreting him wrong despite being not so sound of judgement at the time. But I was right. We finally found each other in a dark hallway at the frat house, and all the liquid courage had made me bold enough to make the first move, step right into his space and push him up against the wall, and he kissed me so desperately it was like I was the air he needed to breathe. Then when we were both panting and hard against each other he had twisted his fingers through mine and tugged me through the back door and to his car, where we made out and touched each other until three in the morning. Fucking perfect.
The next day I had waken up to five missed calls from him with increasingly more desperate voicemails. He invited me to his house and we spent hours talking in his bedroom… well mostly talking, and trying to figure out what we were going to do. Eventually we settled on keeping our relationship quiet for now, until he’s ready to come out, and I’m not going to push him. He’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Bodhi sips his drink and smiles at me. We’re alone in the kitchen, but it still surprises the fuck out of me when he slides his hand over my ass. I stare at him with dawning comprehension. He wasn’t joking. He’s really fucking horny right now. Ohmyfuckinggod, I want him so fucking bad. How the fuck am I going to make this happen?
“Shit, Violet!” I hear Brennan exclaim from the room over, jerking both Bodhi and me out of our lust. A few seconds later Violet comes into the kitchen, ushered by her brother and sister. She’s holding her wrist and grimacing.
“Oh no, Vi, what happened?” I move away from Bodhi’s warmth and over to her.
“I think it’s a sprain,” she says with a wince. Bodhi immediately goes to the freezer and pulls out an ice pack, handing it to Violet.
“We should wrap it,” I say to Violet. She’s always spraining things or dislocating joints, she’s got this condition where her connective tissues didn’t form correctly and her joints move too much. I’ve known her for long enough now to know exactly what to do when something like this happens.
Violet nods. “Bodhi, do you have any ace bandage wraps?” I ask.
“Probably,” he responds. “Come on.” He leads Violet and me away from the kitchen, through the crowded living room, and up the stairs to the bathroom.
“Garrick and Liam share this bathroom,” Bodhi narrates. “So if it’s disgusting, you can understand why. But they’re likely to have ace wraps tucked here somewhere.” He digs through the cabinets, upending a box of condoms and swearing.
Violet and I share an amused look at the way Bodhi grumbles as he has to shove all the condoms back in the box. Gods, he’s adorable. I get a little lost admiring his ass until I glance back up at Violet and realize she’s watching me.
“Here we go,” Bodhi straightens up, holding out an ace bandage in a new package. “Brand new, too, thank fuck.”
I take the package from him, opening it and unwrapping the bandage roll. The little metal hooks fall out onto the floor, and Bodhi bends down to pick them up, allowing Violet another moment to pin me with a very knowing look.
Damn it, Violet has this need to know fucking everything. She is not going to back down now that she’s hot on the trail of something here.
“Thank you, Bodhi,” Violet says kindly as Bodhi hands her the metal hooks. I take a step closer to Violet and hold out my hand for her wrist. She rolls her eyes even as she offers me her hand. “I can do it myself, Ridoc.”
“You don’t have to,” I respond, taking her hand and starting the wrap at her palm, wrapping it carefully between her thumb and first finger and around the back of her hand.
I can feel Bodhi’s eyes on me as I take my time wrapping Violet’s wrist so it’s supportive but not too tight. I glance up at Violet and find that she’s watching Bodhi watch me.
When I’ve finished and have attached the metal hooks to keep the bandage in place, Violet steps back and admires my work, while I chance a look at Bodhi and my heart fucking skips.
He’s watching me with those beautiful deep brown eyes filled with affection and wonder and I can’t figure out what else.
Violet looks between the two of us, her smile growing.
"What the fuck is going on here?"
Violet startles. Uh oh. It’s the sexy shadow daddy himself!
Bodhi gives me a huge eye roll. “Chill the fuck out, Xaden, damn. Just wrapping Sorrengail’s wrist after an unexpected flippy cup injury.”
Xaden looks stricken.
“Are you okay?” he says to Violet. She nods and brushes past Xaden to leave the bathroom.
“Yeah, it’s just a sprain,” she says in a pitch that’s a little higher than her normal voice.
“Come on, let’s get ice on it,” Riorson says, putting a hand on her back to guide her away and down the stairs. Bodhi holds up the ice pack he got for Violet, staring silently after them. I laugh weakly, then sigh and lean against the counter.
“She knows now,” I say to Bodhi, praying he’ll understand. “She just has to fucking know everything, and she loves a puzzle.”
Bodhi takes a step toward me, into my space. “That’s okay,” he whispers, his breath warm on my cheek. I shiver and let my eyes slide closed. “You’re such a good friend,” Bodhi continues to whisper, putting his lips to my ear. “And I really fucking want you.” He kisses my neck just below my ear and I lean into him.
“Just a second, love,” Liam’s voice echos suddenly, right outside the bathroom. “Oh.” My eyes snap open and Bodhi sighs and pulls away from me.
Liam’s grin covers his whole face, and Bodhi fucking glares at him.
“This is my bathroom, Durran! You can’t fuck in here!” Liam laughs, talking a little too loudly because he’s had a few drinks and he’s probably about to get laid. He pushes past us and grabs the box of condoms. Yup. Predictable.
“Fuck off, Mairi. Your fault for interrupting.” He grabs my hand and pulls me into the hallway. Well, okay. I guess Liam knows.
Liam laughs as he follows us out of the bathroom and opens the door to his bedroom, turning to give us a suggestive little wave before disappearing inside.
Bodhi sighs.
“So, Liam knows,” I nudge Bodhi, smiling.
“Yeah, all my roommates know. So I’m not sure why they’re all being so fucking annoying.”
“All your roommates know about me?” My heart warms.
Bodhi turns directly to face me and takes both of my hands. “I can’t fucking stop talking about you, Ridoc.” The way he’s looking at me… I get fucking butterflies in my stomach.
Bodhi leans in, his hair falling in his eyes, his perfect lips inches from mine. The air between us is staticky, charged, electric. I’m drawn to him like a magnet, like a moon in his orbit. I can’t get away, I don’t want to. I smile as his lips brush mine, gentle and soft. His eyelids are half-closed, he’s gazing at me through those long dark lashes.
“Ridoc?” Both Bodhi and I startle and jump apart as we hear someone coming up the stairs. Fuck. Bodhi blinks at me in disappointment and longing.
Sawyer comes around the corner. “There you are! Is Violet okay? I just saw her with Riorson, she looked like she hurt her hand? They disappeared before I could get to her.”
“Her wrist,” I correct. “Flippy cup injury.” I laugh half-heartedly. “I wrapped it for her, she’s fine.”
“Oh, good, okay.” Sawyer glances at Bodhi questioningly.
Go away, Sawyer.
“Yeah,” I say. “Well, see ya.” I turn and start walking toward Bodhi’s room.
“Where are you-” he starts to follow, and I’ve had enough, why is everyone so determined to cockblock me tonight?!
“God, Sawyer. You don’t have to follow me around like a fucking shadow,” I snap before I can stop myself. Wow, I’m a fucking jerk, but I want to fucking jerk off. Hehe, good one. Mental self-high-five!
“Ridoc?” I feel the air change, the tension behind me.
Fucking WHAT, Sawyer?! I spin on him and I’m startled by the concern in his eyes.
“What?” I ask, suddenly worried. Is he okay?
“Shadow?”
Shadow… oh… shit, did I say shadow? Oh shit, our safe word. Bodhi looks at me, all concerned and confused puppy eyes.
“Shit.”
“What?” Bodhi asks.
“That was our safe word for tonight. I didn’t mean it, Sawyer, it just came out. God I’m stupid.”
“No you’re not,” Bodhi protests.
“Okay,” Sawyer says slowly, studying me, trying to work out if I’m telling the truth or if I truly need help. Damn, he’s a good friend and I totally don’t give him enough credit.
“Look, Bodhi’s not… we’re…” I stumble.
“Oh,” Bodhi interrupts. “Sorry, I’m still catching up. Safe word. Like, I need help if I use this word. Got it.” He’s nodding to himself as he works it out. So fucking cute. Then he takes my hand and it takes everything in me not to jump out of my skin, it completely takes me by surprise, but I know if I act weird Sawyer will just continue to worry.
Sawyer looks back and forth from me to Bodhi, waiting for someone to explain.
“Me and Ridoc are dating,” Bodhi says confidently. “We’ve just been hiding it because… I…” he trails off.
“Bodhi just doesn’t want to share yet,” I finish for him, giving his hand a little squeeze to let him know I get it. I can’t help the grin that creeps onto my face when I meet Sawyer’s eyes. “So I haven’t told anyone yet.”
“Oh,” Sawyer says, a slight smile curling at the edge of his lips. “Wait, how long has it been? I didn’t know you were capable of keeping secrets!”
“Three weeks,” I say proudly. “Remember when I came home super late and super happy the night after the glow stick party?”
“Ohhh, yes I do. I knew there was something up with you,” Sawyer grins.
“Yeah, so, we’re good,” I say, taking a step closer to Bodhi. Like, really good. Like, about to have a super hot makeout sesh in his bedroom good. So like, leave us alone, Sawyer!
“Ohhh-kay then!” Sawyer finally takes the hint. “I’ll see you later, then, Ridoc.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me and then spins and takes the stairs by two.
I sigh and turn to Bodhi. “I’m so sorry,” I start to say.
“Don’t be,” he interrupts, wrapping a hand around my waist and pulling me up against him. Oh God he smells so good and he’s so fucking sexy. “Let’s go before anyone else can fucking interrupt.”
“Mmmkaygoodidea,” I mumble, feeling like my brain has turned to mush under his spell. Bodhi curls his long fingers around my wrist and tugs me down the hallway. I let him pull me into his bedroom, and he turns around and clicks the lock on his door behind me.
Bodhi stands right in front of me, his eyes blazing, and then he pounces on me, pushing me up against the door as his lips crash into mine.
I fucking love it, this needy barely-in-control Bodhi, kissing me like he’s desperate to keep me. I moan happily against his mouth, raking my hands through his hair. He pushes his hand up my shirt and rests it on my abs, so I flex and smile into the kiss, and he moans in longing.
“Too many clothes,” Bodhi breathes, curling his fingers into my shirt and then sliding it up. I lift my arms to wriggle out of it, and he tosses it to the floor, his eyes taking in my bare chest, eyeing me hungrily.
“Come here,” Bodhi says, taking my hand and tugging me toward his bed. He pushes me gently to sit down, and I sit on the edge of his bed and watch him tug off his own shirt.
Damn he is fucking beautiful. Perfectly toned but soft and smooth. He climbs on top of me, and I grin as I lie back and he kisses me again, fully on top of me, his weight pushing me into the bed.
“Fucking finally,” he moans against me, rolling his hips into me, making my brain go all giddy with pleasure. His tongue is in my mouth, one of his hands dragging through my hair, the other pushed up between us to touch my chest. He’s totally in control and I’m just blissfully being pulled along for the ride.
Bodhi reaches down to undo his pants button and zipper, and then he’s feeling my dick over my pants and my hips buck up involuntarily.
“Ooh, fuck,” I moan, and he grins against me. He sits up to unzip my pants. I blink up at him, my heart beating wildly, and our eyes meet, both of us hot and excited and hard.
“Bodhi? You in there? We need you out here!” Garrick’s loud voice echos from outside the room, along with a chaotic pounding at the door.
Bodhi and I both startle and he growls in frustration, pressing himself down against me and digging his fingers into the bed.
“Fuck off, Garrick!”
“No, no, birthday boy. We’ve got something planned for ya. Come out here, Durran!”
“It’s your birthday?!” I whisper, shocked.
“Shit!” Bodhi whispers. “Fucking birthday!” He hangs his head so his forhead rests against mine. I can’t help but giggle.
“You didn’t tell me it was your birthday,” I murmur against him.
“I’m sorry Ridoc,” Bodhi moans softly.
I move my hand soothingly on his lower back. “For having a birthday?” I smile up at him. “I’m glad you were born.” Bodhi laughs and snuggles onto my shoulder.
“For not telling you. I didn’t want you to feel any pressure.”
“It’s okay, Bodhi,” I smile reassuringly, my hand still moving on his back. “But I’m definitely going to give you something good now that I know.” His dark eyes meet mine and he looks at me hungrily. I wiggle my eyebrows to add to the innuendo.
The clamor outside the room continues.
“Bodhi, come on, don’t make me fucking-”
“What’s taking so long?” Xaden’s voice interrupts Garrick’s, and Bodhi groans.
“Ask your cousin!”
“Bodhi, get the fuck out here.”
Bodhi sighs in defeat, pressing his lips against my neck for a few last kisses. Then he pushes up, adjusts himself, zips his pants.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” he whispers to me as I sit up and do the same. He tosses me my shirt from the floor. “I’ll make it up to you later,” his eyes are pleading.
“Of course,” I grin. “But you’re the birthday boy, I should be the one making it up to you.”
“Believe me, I know what I want to do to you, and that’s all I fucking want for my birthday,” Bodhi says, his voice a low growl, and I feel my cock twitch in anticipation. Calm down, big guy. Gotta get through some birthday party shit before it’s your turn.
“Bodhi fucking Durran!”
Bodhi pulls on his shirt and yanks open the door, smoothing his shirt and scowling at his friends.
“Oh, fuck,” Garrick says, his eyes flickering between Bodhi and me. “I didn’t know- fuck- I’m sorry Bodhi-”
“Wasn’t obvious when I said you can fuck right off?” Bodhi growls.
“We’ve got something for you,” Xaden says, looking from Bodhi to me in amusement. “Didn’t know you were busy.”
Bodhi rolls his eyes and follows them down the hall, beckoning for me to come. “You all fucking suck at the wingman thing.”
“I’m sorry, Bodhi,” Garrick apologizes again, and he looks truly sorry.
I follow Bodhi, and he reaches back to link his fingers through mine, smiling that gorgeous smile of his at me and I fucking melt. He could jump out the second story window right now and I’d follow without question, I’m so fucking hooked.
Just before we get to the halfway point in the stairway where people below could see us, Bodhi squeezes my hand and then lets go. I sigh inside, but I understand. He gives me an apologetic glance, but I smile encouragingly and shake my head. I can wait. I will wait as long as it takes as long as he’s mine.
Xaden and Garrick usher Bodhi to the kitchen, where Liam is waiting with a giant smile and a birthday cake that says in big loopy letters: NOBODY LIKES YOU WHEN YOU’RE 23. Bodhi laughs in that adorable way that I just can’t fucking get enough of.
I spot Sawyer and go to stand next to him.
“Did you know it was his birthday?” Sawyer asks quietly.
“No,” I reply, unable to take my eyes off the beautiful birthday boy as his friends celebrate him. “God, he’s so fucking perfect, Sawyer.” Sawyer gives me a side-eyed grin in response.
Someone offers us cups of spiked lemonade, but we both decline. I look at Sawyer in question.
“I cut myself off so I can drive the girls home and you can stay here tonight,” Sawyer says.
Ohmyfuckinggod. He’s such a fucking good friend. I give him a big grin and throw my arms around him in a hug.
“You’re the best. Thank you!”
I watch Bodhi laughing easily with his friends as Xaden cuts slices of cake and Liam hands them out. Violet and Rhiannon find Sawyer and I in our corner of the living room.
“How has your night been?” Violet elbows me and gives me a conspiratorial look.
“Really fucking great,” I smile, “Except my friends and his friends keep interrupting.”
Rhi looks between us, confused. “Interrupting what? Who are you getting with tonight?”
I just smile over in Bodhi’s direction, and he catches my eye and winks at me. He fucking winks and I just about lose my cool because he’s so fucking adorable I just want to wrap him up like a burrito and eat him up! Hehe!
“With Bodhi?!” Rhiannon whispers incredulously. I nod slowly.
“Oh yeah, Bodhi’s head over heels for Ridoc,” Liam squeezes himself into our circle and hands out plates of cake. My heart warms and my stomach swoops at his words.
“He wants to keep it undercover, for now,” I say quietly. “So don’t say anything stupid to mess this up.” I look around at my friends.
“Never,” Liam grins, taking a bite of cake.
After everyone’s had cake and Bodhi’s chatted with almost everybody here, he finds his way back to me. I’m leaning up against the wall, watching Liam dance with Violet and Sawyer with Rhi.
“Hey,” he says, casually leaning up against the wall next to me.
“Hi,” I smile. He brushes his hair from his eyes. He’s so warm and handsome, flushed from the attention and the alcohol.
We watch the rapidly devolving dance party in the living room. Liam’s standing on the coffee table doing silly dance moves while the rest of the room cheers him on.
“I don’t have to drive anymore,” I say quietly. “Can I stay?”
He looks at me, wide-eyed surprised, ack, so cute. His eyes soften and he smiles in such a genuinely excited way and I’m so fucking ready for whatever this night is going to give me.
The music changes, some danceclub song with a strong beat and seductive lyrics. “Let’s dance,” Bodhi says, and I’m suddenly pulled into the center of the crowded living room, surrounded by friends and strangers alike, all jumping and dancing and laughing.
At first we’re just dancing, not really with each other, just laughing and enjoying the fun. Of course Bodhi’s a fucking great dancer, he’s sexy and self-assured and smooth. I’m obviously a great dancer too, but more in a crazy chaotic silly fun way.
I can’t stay away from his pull, his irresistible confident sexiness, I’m completely captivated. He draws me in like he’s magnetic, and eventually we’re close enough to touch, and he takes both of my hands in his and pulls me against him.
His face is inches from mine. His body is warm against mine, he presses up against me and keeps dancing, his body moving against mine in a way that makes me nearly shatter with desire.
Wait. Fuck. We’re in a room full of people. I can’t let him out himself here just because he’s a little buzzed and aroused.
“Bodhi,” I grip his arms, staring at him, eyes wide.
“I don’t care.” His voice is low, his eyes dark.
“What?”
“I don’t fucking care who sees.”
“Are you sure?” I stare into his eyes, calculating, not sure if he really means what he’s saying.
Bodhi grins at me. “It’s my fucking birthday. This party is for me. Fuck it, I don’t care who knows I’m getting with the hottest, most fucking fun dude at Basgiath.”
Bodhi’s just inches from my face now, and he twists his fingers into my hair, hands brushing against the back of my neck, angling my head upward to meet his lips as he kisses me like nothing in the world matters except this. My mind goes blissfully quiet and all I’m aware of is the feel of his lips, his tongue, the bulge in his jeans pressing against mine, his hands in my hair.
He breaks the kiss, pulling back just an inch, resting his forehead down against mine. He’s flushed and breathing hard, nearly trembling against me. I put my hands on his elbows to steady him.
In a second, he’s regained his composure, he straightens up and gives me that devastating smile of his, then grabs my hands and tugs me with him to the stairs.
I glance back somewhat dizzily and catch my friends all grinning over at me, Liam doing a little silent cheer and Sawyer tipping a pretend hat to me. I grin back and then let myself get swept up the stairs by this fucking hot, fucking incredible man of my fucking dreams.
Secret’s out!