I swallow hard. It’s not a joke, it’s not a hypothetical situation. This is a threat. A warning.
All I can do is nod, my eyes falling to the floor.
“Anyway,” she says, her hand waving in the air as she brushes the thought away. “I’m so excited for tonight. It’s going to be perfect! Come up to my room around four and we can all get ready together. And Little?”
I look back up at her, waiting.
“Thank you, for talking to me. You really are one of the best friends I have.” She smiles warmly, but a chill runs up my spine. As she turns and leaves me alone in the kitchen, a sickening realization runs through me.
There is no getting out of this game.
And there is no winning this game, either.
My chips are on the table. My heart is on the line.
And it will never be the same again.
The limo pulls up right on time and I stand as still as I can, sweaty palms and shaking legs, in a line of my sisters waiting in front of the house. I nervously chew my thumb nail as the guys start to pile out, all looking mind-blowing in their fitted tuxes, but I know they won’t be anything compared to Kip when he finally emerges.
Ashlei swats my hand away. “Don’t you dare mess up that perfect manicure I worked on all afternoon. What the hell are you so nervous about?” I glare at her before rolling my eyes and she nods. “Well, yeah, I guess there’s the whole calling things off with Kip thing. But you’ve been prepping for this, you’re going to be fine. You sowed the seed last night and tonight is the last time you have to worry about it. You got this, Sky.”
“Lei, I’m not ready. I can’t do this. I don’t think I’ll survive if I do.” I look to her, my eyes pleading. She sighs, rubbing my arm with her hand.
“I’m afraid there’s not much of a choice at this point, Sky. You have to survive. You have to be strong.”
Easy for her to say.
“Hey,” she offers, nudging me. “You look incredible in that dress. Just smile, have fun, and wait ‘til the end of the night to do what you have to do. No shame in enjoying yourself, right?” She winks and I smile a little. She’s right. Just because this is the last night I’m going to spend with Kip doesn’t mean I have to be miserable the entire time. What could be so bad about going out with a bang? My dress is killer, a sheer red that fades into red and silver glittery sequins at the bottom. It’s an elegant halter top cut high at the neck, but the back cuts into a wide heart. It’s long and beautiful and I feel amazing in it.
So why not just feel amazing for a little while longer?
“Jesus, Skyler.”
I jerk my head up and find Kip’s neon blue eyes staring back at me. While I was off in la la land, he found his way out of the limo and up to the house, and now he’s standing in front of me in a charcoal tuxedo and black vest. The only red he sports is a pair of cuff links and his tie, which is just enough to make us match and also pull out the sexiness in his suit. His hair is styled, a strange sight compared to his usual casual, wind-blown look, and he’s missing his glasses.
“I kind of wish you would have worn your specs,” I say without thinking.
He chuckles, a beautiful half grin spreading across his face. It makes my panties wet and my knees weak at the same time.
Oh Lord, help me.
“Sorry to disappoint,” he says, still grinning. “But you…” His eyes trail down my body, blazing a fire in their wake and my skin falls victim to a wave of goose bumps. He locks his eyes back on mine before finishing his sentence, “You are sensational, Skyler. I wish I could write words to capture how beautiful you look right now.”
Damn him and his artsy brain.
“All right, fuckers, let’s go,” Kade says, breaking the spell Kip has me in. I almost forgot we were in college, for a second. “I need to pre-game if I’m going to be with all you damn couples.”
“Amen,” my Little says and I laugh, following them to the limo. Kip takes my hand in his and lifts it to his lips, placing a casual kiss on my knuckles as we walk. It’s so simple, a small gesture, but I stare at that spot on my skin as we walk, feeling the tingling burn from where his lips were pressed against it. I want to remember this, the way it feels to have him here with me this way. Even if I’m not allowed to, I want to file this away in a mental photo album.
I blink my eyes. Click.
“You okay there, squints?” Kip asks, smiling sideways at me.
I shake my head, embarrassed. “I’m fine. Something in my eye.”
Okay, nerd, pull it together.
Kip gets in the limo after everyone else and takes the last seat, causing me to stand awkwardly waiting for them to somehow make room. He offers a goofy smile and pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me as the driver shuts the door.
“What’s wrong, you going to act shy around me now?”
I flush red. “No. Maybe I didn’t want to sit on your lap, ever think of that?”
He looks a little hurt, his brows bunching together, but then he pulls me tighter and thrusts his hips up a little. I feel him through his pants, his hard on pressing into the fabric of my dress.
“Maybe I need you on my lap right now. Ever think of that?”
I swallow hard, turning to face him. His eyes are smoldering, hungry.
Kip leans forward, pressing his mouth against the sensitive skin behind my ear. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress,” he whispers, his breath hot and husky.
Yep. And now there’s an ocean in my panties.
He pulls my mouth to his and kisses me hard, taking my breath away. Gently, he tugs my bottom lip between his teeth and moves to whisper in my ear again, “I love that fucking lip of yours.”
“Get a room!” Kade yells, throwing a balled up red napkin that hits Kip’s ear before falling into my lap. Kip laughs and tosses it back, but suddenly I’m all too aware of another set of eyes in the car.
Erin’s.
For the rest of the ride to the dance, I hold conversation with my sisters and ignore Kip, even when he lifts his hips a little to remind me he’s still there.
And holy hell, is he ever there.
When we finally arrive at the country club where the dance is being held, I climb out of the limo quickly, grabbing Kip’s hand and heading for the front door. My skin is hot, my breathing erratic. I need water before I pass out. No matter where I go tonight, no matter what I do, Erin’s eyes will be there. Watching me. Waiting for her cue.
I feel sick.
I stumble, my heel wobbling as my ankle turns on its side. Kip catches me in his arms, not letting me fall more than an inch.
“Whoa.” He steadies me, still holding me tight. “Are you okay?”
I nod, trying to fake a smile that won’t come. “I just need some water.”
Kip looks around before finding a waiter with a tray of drinks. He flags him down and grabs a tall, sweating glass of ice water. I pull it quickly to my lips and drink the entire glass.
“Skyler, are you sure you’re okay?” Kip asks again. Jess eyes me from across the room, a really cute Alpha Sig’s arm around her shoulder. She mouths the same question as Kip asks and I try to speak with my eyes, but I’m not sure what to tell them to say.
Hell no I’m not okay.
Yes, I’m fine, go back to your man friend.
Please, save me.
Really, it’s all good. I just needed some water.
Kill me now.