Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 610(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Quickly, I get my answer, at least to that last part, when Kendrick yells into his mic, even before the chorus hits, “Peace out, guys!” With that abrupt farewell, he lays down his drumsticks, lurches from his stool, and leaps off the edge of the stage like a madman, landing right next to me on the dance floor. But since the remaining musicians onstage are pros, they simply carry on with the song, despite losing their drummer to provide the driving beat.
As Kendrick strides toward me, looking like a man possessed, Savage onstage wails the original lyrics of the song for the first time of the performance: “Shayneee!”
Kendrick reaches for me with both arms, his blue eyes blazing, so I wordlessly throw my arms around his neck, rise up onto my tippy toes, and shout, “Kendrick, that was—”
I don’t get to finish my sentence. But I’m not complaining. Before I get another word out, Kendrick crushes me into him and urgently smashes his mouth to mine.
Without hesitation, I return his kiss furiously. Like my life depends on it. And Kendrick reacts to my extreme enthusiasm by sliding a greedy hand into my hair and deepening the kiss with near-desperate passion. Even as my body explodes with desire, it occurs to me Cooper’s not here to witness this. Which means Kendrick must not be kissing me for show, like he did at his birthday party. That’s especially true, since everyone had to check their phones. No, this time, he’s most definitely kissing me for real. And I’m right there with him.
As our bodies cleave together and our kiss intensifies, I feel Kendrick’s rock-hard bulge pressed against me—and it’s a sensation that turns me on even more. He grips my back as his tongue and lips invade and devour, and I’m quickly so aroused, I raise my leg and rest it on his thigh, desperate to feel his hard bulge pressed against a certain spot on my body that’s throbbing like crazy.
Looking punch drunk on feral lust and visibly twitching with arousal and adrenaline, Kendrick breaks free of our kiss. With almost maniacal energy, he gestures to the bass player onstage, who throws Kendrick his crumpled clothes in reply, and as the band reaches the very last bars of the song without the benefits of a drummer, Kendrick grips my hand and pulls me toward a hallway on the opposite side of the room from where Cooper was dragged out only a few minutes ago.
21
KENDRICK
As I pull Ruby out of the packed party and into an unfamiliar hallway in Reed’s hotel-like home, I’m euphoric. Breathless. Dizzy. Out of my head and experiencing a kind of natural high I’ve only ever felt playing for tens of thousands of screaming fans. Except this high is even better. Far better. In fact, that kiss with Ruby made me feel so fucking delirious, I almost creamed my pants during the thick of it. Damn. I thought the kiss with Ruby at my birthday party was mind-blowing. But this one blew it out of the water.
Ruby.
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby.
She’s the only girl I’ve ever truly loved. I know that now, without a doubt, and I fully accept it. I’m done trying to deny it or stuff it down. Done playing games. Fuck what Savage told me to do. I know he only wanted to help me, but fuck the games he told me to play with Ruby. The manipulations he convinced me would be necessary to get what I want.
The truth is, I don’t want a fling with Ruby. Not even close. And I don’t want to pretend, even for a second, that I do. I love this girl. I’ve always loved her. And I’m going to tell her that right fucking now. Yes, I also want to fuck Ruby. So badly, my balls hurt. But when I do it for the first time, I want to be able to whisper into her ear, “I love you, baby; I’ve always loved you.” The very thought gives me goosebumps.
My breathing is ragged.
With a gigantic, throbbing hard-on in my designer pants, I yank hastily on a doorknob in the hallway with my free hand, while continuing to grip Ruby’s hand with the other, but it’s locked. “Fuck!”
“Where are you taking me?” Ruby asks with a sultry giggle as I move on toward the next door. There’s no hesitation or wariness in her voice. Only excitement. Eagerness. Lust. And thank God for that, because the minute I get her alone, I’m going to open my heart to her. Spill my guts. Leave nothing unsaid.
“I’m taking you anywhere I can lock the door behind us and fuck you,” I choke out. “A room with a bed would be a bonus, but that’s not required.”
At my brazen, no-holds-barred comment, Ruby squeals, sending my balls tightening and my heart racing even more. She didn’t say, “Whoa, Kendrick. Slow down.” Or, “What the fuck did you just say to me?” Nope, the way Ruby squealed and squeezed my hand in reply made it abundantly clear she’s down to fuck—every bit as willing and eager as me to cross that forbidden line of our friendship, once and for all.