JENNIE
April sunset washed the quad buildings with orange and purple. At one side of the lawn, a stage was set up. Blankets checkered the grass, but most people stood, talking and lining up for food at the big outdoor concert, Scene on the Green, that our school always put on before finals.
Two weeks until graduation.
I strolled, hugged people hello, and stopped to chat. Freshman and sophomore year, Scene on the Green had started the way every event did: drinking and getting dressed with Rosé, Maria, and Ashley while we gossiped and cranked up the music. Sometimes we went to pre-parties, sometimes boyfriends were involved, but it was the four of us, always.
Tonight, I was here alone.
Was it me, or them? Since the game where I'd fallen, Rosé had been standoffish. Our coach Kim must have noticed the strain, because she moved me and Megan to base for a different flyer.
And when the four of us got together — that was strained too. It hurt that Ashley and Maria were following Rosé's lead. When the cheer season ended, the awkward factor intensified. They spent spring break in Florida without me, then drunk-texted in the middle of the night.
U avoiding us?
We don't believe you didn't have the $$$ to come
You never said anything about that before, you were always throwing it around and buying people food and shit
If u were with Lisa we'd understand but u said ur not with her this week
What the fuck is up with Lisa and you anyway. It doesn't seem like a normal relationship
But I hadn't repaired the damage. I was caught up in the whirl of Lisa, my classes, finding a tutor for Victorian Lit. Submitting my last make-up project from fall semester. Lengthening my morning runs once the cheerleading season ended. Interviewing for internships. Prepping for finals, which started in less than a week. Talking with Jisoo and the entire Kim clan about wedding plans.
Though strangely, I hadn't been able to reach Jisoo for the past few days.
Onstage, the band was doing a sound check. A self-satisfied male voice spoke into the mic.
"Hey beautiful. 'Sup, love. Testing 1-2-3."
Kai.
I stiffened. Scene on the Green brought in a big-name band or artist for the main act and a local band for the opener. A student band always kicked off the concert. I hadn't paid attention to the posters around campus, so I hadn't realized this year's Scene on the Green would feature my ex.
Fine. I could deal with hearing Kai sing. I watched his band rip through their set, trying to ignore the glances my way while he crooned about his good-luck charm.
A year ago, when we first started dating, he'd jumped on a bench in the quad — yards from where I stood now — and serenaded me in front of everyone. Kai lived to perform; I'd basked in the public admiration.
Now all I wanted was to bask in Lisa's bedsheets across campus.
In two weeks, she'd graduate.
Neither of us were talking about it.
As Kai made love to the mic, our eyes met. He adjusted his black muscle tee and smiled. It was an aha smile. An I gotcha smile.
Turning away, I hurried to the north side of the quad, where concession stands lined the walkway. At the first booth, I felt in my purse for money, then pulled out my hand.
I should hold off. If I wanted any hope of independence next year, I needed to keep saving. My heart-shaped box was almost overflowing.
"Can I help you?" asked the guy behind the counter, beckoning me in. He was wearing a tiara and butterfly wings. "Our drinks are to die for. I'll upgrade you to the next size."
Dammit, it was the last big campus party of junior year. And the butterfly wings made me smile. I dropped a dollar in the tip jar, plunked down some bills — keeping the You're beautiful twenty in the back of my wallet — and walked away with a giant iced mocha concoction.
The music ended. As I slurped, an arm brushed mine, and a whiff of familiar perfume hit my nose. Rosé sashayed past in fringed cowboy boots, her blonde hair swishing.
Impulsively, I grabbed her hand. "Hey, Sé."
She pivoted, swaying slightly, blinking wide hazel eyes at me. "Oh, hey. Hey, girl. Cuuute top." She plucked at the ties on my halter top.
I gripped her hand. She was drunk already. Unsteady. "You okay? I heard about you and Koo Junhoe."
"So did everybody." She leaned closer, almost in my face. "We're over. You were right, babes. He could fuck my body, but he couldn't fuck my mind." Her voice was a few notches too loud. People were staring.
"I'm sorry."
"Are you? You have everything. You have someone who carries you off the court after you make everyone fall down, and she doesn't even look at other girls. It's like you're the only one she can see."
"What? No. Believe me, I— I don't have everything."
Her head swiveled suddenly. I followed her gaze and saw Kai walking toward us. My stomach tightened.
Rosé let my hand go. "Here comes your ex. I'll leave you two alone." She backed away.
"Sé, wait."
She pushed into the crowd. Ashley appeared and put an arm around her. Maria, on her other side, gave me an accusing look. I hugged myself, staring after them, the warmth of the evening fading with the setting sun.
A familiar hand kneaded my shoulder.
"Hey, sweetie." Kai slung an arm around me, pulling me in. "I knew my good-luck charm would show up tonight."
"Don't call me sweetie."
"Well, excuuuse me. What was going on with Rosé? Looked like something special was about to happen."
"Yes," I snapped. "A conversation."
"Lighten up." He tweaked the hem of my denim miniskirt. His fingers brushed my thigh. "Aw, you didn't shave for me today."
"Stop it." I smacked his hand away. Heads turned at my sharp tone. Kai straightened up, a flush on his cheeks, his eyes angry.
I scanned the line of concession stands for someone, anyone I knew. Nearby, above the crowd, a mop of unruly hair gave me my out.
"Oh, hi!" I squealed, waving. "Lucas!" Lucas twisted around and gave me a what the hell? look through his sunglasses. "I've been looking all over for you," I gushed. "See ya, Kai!"
"Him?" he muttered. "That's who you're going for now? He definitely deals."
I wrested free of Kai's grasp and pushed through the crowd to give Lucas a big hug.
"What are you doing?" he asked between his teeth as he leaned down. "We're friends now?"
"Best friends." I looped my arm through his, walking us away from the concession stands. "Where are you headed?"
"To find my girlfriend." He frowned at my clutch on the oversize plastic cup and my arm tensed in his. "What are you running from, Lady Jennie?"
"My ex." I took a long drink of mocha slush.
"The singer for that whiny band? The one who always looks like he's headed for a boardroom meeting when he's not being all rock and roll? Can't blame you."
"Yeah, he's a lizard. Let's talk about something nicer," I chattered. "Like Victorian Lit. And how I might have a prayer of getting a decent grade if I write an amazing final paper. I took your advice and got a tutor. See? I know how to ask for help."
As we passed a bench, I met a pair of icy brown eyes, and my entire body went on alert.
A group of Kappa Sig guys swarmed over the bench, laughing and chatting with some girls. Lisa stood on the edge of the crowd, her arms crossed over her chest. When she saw me, her expression shifted from bored to awake. Damn the spark between my legs and the hope on my face.
Talk to me. Spend the evening with me before we go back to your room.
Instead, her gaze flicked to Lucas and our linked elbows. Apparently Lucas didn't pose a threat, because Lisa simply caught my eye again and tapped her bare wrist where her watch had been. 11:30 tonight. Don't be late.
Bastard. I blew her a kiss, and she raised her eyebrows. Chase, who'd left his eternal post at the back door of Kappa Sig, elbowed Lisa, pointing to me and Lucas. I caught the words "Cookie Girl."
"Friend of yours?" Lucas murmured as we left them behind.
"Sort of."
"Is there a good reason half a dozen frat bros are watching us?"
"They're harmless."
"Don't get me mixed up in your shit, Jennie."
"Nothing is happening! Everything's great. I want to meet your girlfriend. I'm dying of curiosity."
Lucas craned his neck, making no secret of looking over his shoulder. "If you ever need a bodyguard, hire your sort-of friend. She looks like she eats intimidation for lunch."
"I'll keep it in mind. And hey." My voice dropped to a whisper. "Thanks for not giving me a hard time about—"
"Your sugar daddy? Is that still going?"
My cheeks burned hot. I nodded.
"Jennie, if you want to let some middle-aged, probably rich guy sweeten your bank account for the pleasure of your company, I'm the last person who's going to give you grief for it."
I choked on my mocha. "Thanks," was all I said. Lucas gave me a funny look.
He steered me to a blanket on the edge of the lawn. A purple-haired girl lay sprawled on her stomach, flipping through a copy of The Lighthouse.
"Jennje, meet my girlfriend, Sana. Sana, this is Jennie. Who's apparently my new best friend as of two minutes ago."
We stared at each other. Since my roommate didn't seem inclined to break the silence, I did.
"You call him 'Lucky?'" I pointed to Lucas.
"What's wrong with that?" She sat up and crossed her arms in the defensive Sana pose. The newspaper fluttered in the breeze.
"Nothing. Nothing at all. I just wondered if you really had a boyfriend all this time, or if it was an excuse to be out of the apartment."
A smile twitched her lips. "Both."
"I've bonded with your cat."
"Yeah, I'm glad. Lucky's allergic." Jesus, she really did call him that. "Oh, like a month ago, I ate the rest of the food your girlfriend left for you. Sorry."
"She's not my girlfriend," I said automatically.
"Wait, you're the roommate?" Lucas's mouth hung open. He pointed at me. "You're the roommate. The. Roommate. It's you." He doubled over, clutching his knees, shaking with laughter.
"What's so funny?" I demanded.
"Hoo boy!" he wheezed. "The things I've heard about you…"
I glanced at Sana.
"I only told him the truth," she said unapologetically.
"You probably did. But…you two…" I gestured between them. "What are you doing together? "
Sana shrugged. "We like each other."
I dropped to my knees and set my drink down. "Can I crash your blanket for a little while? I know I'm imposing, but…"
Lucas sat down next to me, his long legs bent, and did a couple's eye contact negotiation with Sana.
She sighed and flapped her newspaper shut. "You must be pretty desperate. Go ahead, make yourself at home." A grin sneaked across her face. She was softer around Lucas. It suited her. "What happened to your noisy friends? They haven't been over in awhile. The apartment's been like a tomb."
"I don't know." I stretched out on my back, arms flung over my head. The sky was darkening to a deep blue, streaks of sunset on the far side. I was probably flashing Sana, but oh well. "I don't know what's happening with them."
The music started. The energy moved in waves through all the people here, thousands of us, coming together in the springtime. Freshman and sophomore year, I'd been down by the stage. In front, dancing with my girls, showing off my moves, not wanting to miss a minute. Maybe I'd be there again next year. Right now, I was happy on the sidelines, experiencing the night in a different way.
Sana and Lucas were making out. It should have been awkward; I was the third wheel who'd invited herself onto their blanket. But somehow, it wasn't. They weren't self-conscious, I didn't feel uncomfortable. I drank my mocha down to the ice at the bottom. As the stars brightened overhead, I checked the time. Eleven pm.
There was something about the way Lucas ran his finger down the inside of Sana's arm, the way her smile came and went so quickly, that made me ache. They were just two happy people in love, sharing a blanket under the stars at an outdoor concert. It was so simple and perfect. It would be so easy to do that with Lisa. Yet it was the furthest thing away in the world.
Someone stepped on the blanket and stumbled. I sat up, catching her before she fell.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry." She brushed blonde curls out of her eyes. "I must be really out of it."
"Diana? Hey!" I blurted.
Her face lit up. "Hi! You look so familiar…"
Damn my mouth. "Jennie." I pointed to myself. "We met in Health Services awhile back. Good times."
"Of course! I remember you. It was right after that game. And the article in The Lighthouse — ugh, I'm so sorry about that. I know it's old news, but it was completely unethical of them to use your name, and I did my best to stop it—"
"It's okay." I put my hand on her arm. "Really, I'm over it. We finished the season, it went great, and everyone's forgotten all about it. "
Diana beamed at me. "Are you still with Lisa?"
"Yep." I pushed my hair back. "She's…somewhere. We're pretty casual. Sometimes we like to do our own thing."
"Huh. That doesn't sound like Lisa."
"Oh?"
I must have been staring, because she blinked and laughed.
This girl had dated Lisa. Slept with her. The way she'd greeted her, it was like she expected a big teddy bear. The best hugs. I couldn't picture it, but damn, I was curious.
"Come sit?" I patted the space next to me. Sana and Lucas were nuzzling noses.
"I— okay." She flicked her curls out of her face again. "I was on my way to an after-party, but there's no rush." She settled down next to me. Her face was so open, her smile innocent. If Lisa was looking for someone who didn't lie, this would have been her girl.
"So…" I lay back, sipping the dregs of my icy drink and trying to be off-hand. "Being casual doesn't sound like Lisa?"
She laughed again. "Nope. Not that I'd call her super-intense. But commitment was important to her. She was without a doubt the most attentive person I've ever dated. A total gentlewoman, and such a sweetheart. It was always 'whatever you want to do, Diana.' She always put me first." She shook her head, remorse on her face. "I hope it's okay that I'm telling you this. It was a long time ago — I don't have lingering feelings, or anything."
"It's fine," I assured her. "If you don't mind my asking… What happened?"
"You mean, why we broke up? Oh, it happened naturally. She was leaving for Italy, I was doing a semester in London, and we decided to end things before we left. Totally amicable. That was the one thing that was kind of — meh." She waved her hand back and forth. "We never argued, which was great, but in the bedroom—" she lowered her voice, glancing around — "the passion wasn't really there. Sometimes it seemed like she was somewhere else, even when she was right there with me. God, I can't believe I'm going on like this!" She clutched her forehead. "You're so easy to talk to. But I don't want to be that obnoxious ex-girlfriend—"
I squeezed her hand. "You're not."
Lucas pulled apart from Sana, blinking at us both with a heavy-lidded smile.
"This is Diana," I said. "She writes for The Lighthouse. She's going to have a brilliant career as a journalist."
"What about you?" she asked. "What are you going to do when you graduate?"
"I'm a junior." I rattled the ice in my cup. "I've got time. Right now, the plan is to never worry about money again."
Sana snorted. "Good luck."
Lucas rummaged in his bag, opened a packet, and held out some cigarettes to us.
"Oh, I don't smoke." Diana waved them away.
"These aren't your typical cigarettes. They're extra." He lit one and held it out. "Jennie?"
"What the hell is in these?" I eyed him through the curling smoke.
"Don't ask. Just experience."
"Listen, Lucky," I began. Sana cut me a look.
"Do you trust me?"
I blew out a breath, snatched the cig from him, and inhaled. Sweetish, herbal. Sana took one and lay back. Diana looked uncertain.
"Just try." Lucas smiled at her. "We're all friends here."
"Let her be." I touched Diana's arm. Suddenly, I felt protective of her. I didn't know why. She was smart and about to graduate and could probably take care of herself just fine. Maybe it was because she'd dated Lisa without any idea of who she really was.
She eyed the cig in my hand, clearly torn. "There isn't that much more of college…"
"You can try some of mine if you want."
Leaning forward, she took a hesitant drag and inhaled deeply. "Okay, yeah, that's nice. Not harsh."
Lucas waved his cig cherry in the air. "Would I give you something harsh?"
The air diffused. The sounds of the concert mellowed and expanded. Diana was giggling, leaning against me as we passed the cigarette back and forth. Was it weed? It didn't feel exactly like weed. I was melting, puddling onto the blanket, holding someone's hand.
"Diana?" I asked. "Am I holding your hand?"
"I think so."
"You're so nice," I sighed. "I really like you."
"I like you too," she giggled. "Let's be friends."
"Everything's changing. I don't know what to do about my life. "
"That's okay. Who does? I don't either."
"You're gonna do great." I squeezed her hand. "You shouldn't lose any sleep."
"Jennie." A deep voice pierced the haze. "It's 11:30. Time to go."
An upside-down face hovered above mine. In slow motion, Lisa's brown eyes took in Lucas and Sana twined together like a human octopus, then her ex-girlfriend cuddled up next to me.
"Oh, yay," I sighed happily. "It's time to go. And here I am, just lying on this blanket. What are you going to do about it?"
"Hi, Lisa!" Diana exclaimed. "Your girlfriend is so nice."
Lisa did a distinct face-palm. "You," she said to me, shaking her head.
"Yep! Me," I agreed.
She knelt down. Diana began chatting with Sana, but Lucas cut us a sharp, calculating glance.
He knows.
"We talked about this, Jennie," Lisa said softly. "I said if you're wasted…"
"I'm not wasted!" I reached up to tickle her chin. "Who's ticklish? Ooh, you are, I know you are. Come on, have some fun with us."
"Jesus Christ," she muttered, but she was smiling.
"What, no fun? You can't have fun? You're just gonna brood and stand in the corner with your arms folded and glare at everyone? Awww, look how cute you are when you smile like that. You're so beautiful upside down."
Diana broke into laughter. "She broods? Since when do you brood?" she asked Lisa.
"Hey, man." Lucas was holding out another cigarette. "Come on and join us."
"Oh, what the hell." Lisa sat down behind me.
The burning ember of her cigarette crossed the other sparks against the velvet sky. Her lap was the nicest pillow for my head. As she lazily stroked my collarbones, I heard her chatting with Lucas and Sana like they'd known each other for years. I shared the rest of my cig with Diana and asked for another.
The main act was starting. The music was deeper, the drums and bass resonating through the ground.
Lisa's hand rested on my stomach, rubbing lightly. Unthinking, I arched my back, and fingers brushed my breast. When I made a soft sound, she answered with a chuckle and a deliberate caress. God help me, I wanted more.
I can't believe she's doing this. The thought spread through my head, warm, as she teased the underside of my breast. Touching me in public like this, and I'm asking her to. Her ex was lying next to me, my dealer and my roommate were two feet away. Lisa's movements were too subtle for anyone to notice, right? They'd just see her hand on my stomach. Even when she grazed my nipple, it all felt too good, too right, for any part of it to be wrong.
When I shot a glance at Lucas with Sana on his lap, he was watching us with a half-smile. He winked at me.
Something was happening near us. An argument, interfering with the happy calm that drifted through my body. A girl's voice, pleading, and a guy's voice, disagreeing. Both voices were familiar. I knew them. I knew them so well. I turned my heavy head to the side and saw a blonde-streaked girl, beautiful, and a dark-haired guy, angry. Rosé reached for Kai, and he stepped back. She stalked off, weaving through the blankets.
"Lisa?" I reached for her hand.
"What is it, babe?" She smiled down at me.
"Kai and Rosé were arguing. I don't know why." I pushed myself to a sitting position. "Maybe I should talk to them."
She took my face in her hands. "Maybe you should save it for later."
"Why? Because I'm a teeny, tiny bit buzzed? Because one of them's a lizard and the other one might not even be my 'friend' anymore?"
"Because it's our time."
"Oh. Yeah. It is," I giggled. "I'm all yours." Until the morning. Until graduation. Make it longer, Lisa. "So what do you want to do with me?"
"Up." The command reverberated through my body.
I stood, smoothing my clothes, excitement heavy and hot between my legs. I let her wrap a firm hand around mine. We said our goodbyes to Lucas and Sana, who were twined together.
"I should go too." Diana got to her feet, looking adorably rumpled, and hugged us both. Lisa patted her lightly on the back — probably not what she meant when she said she gave the best hugs — and she disappeared across the lawn.
I expected Lisa to take me straight to Kappa Sig and order me onto my hands and knees. Instead, she led me toward the stage, where we jostled into the mesh of people.
"You want to dance with me?" I yelled over the music. She nodded. She didn't stop at the edge of the crowd; she took me right to the center. Elbows and knees bumped us, but people made room for Lisa.
Our bodies fit together so well. I wrapped my arms around her back. She rested her forehead on top of my hair. Moving my hips, I stared into her eyes, brown in the spotlights from the stage.
"So you do know how to have fun," I murmured.
"You're a good dancer. I like the way you move."
"And you're not terrible."
Her laugh rumbled through my body, and she pulled me closer. Sweet Lord, she was hard. Her hands curled into my hips, holding me tight against her.
"Oh, I'm terrible, all right. I can't dance."
"You're feeling the music. That's all that matters."
I put my hand on the back of her neck. Her skin was cool. But when I slid my thumb over the vein above her collarbone, it throbbed under my touch.
"You're so nice," I whispered.
She nuzzled my earlobe, teeth sharp like a touch of static. "No, I'm not."
"You are. I'm so happy right now."
A smile hovered on her lips like it couldn't decide whether to land. "That's because of your friend Lucas."
I hugged her around her neck. "Uh-uh. It's because of you."
We pulled apart and came back together, the music pulsing between us. Her lips brushed my ear again.
"I'm happy too."
"Oh?" I batted my eyelashes. "Thank Lucas."
"No, Jennie. Thank you."
The lawn spun around us and stretched out. Her mouth was suddenly close. Without a thought, I kissed her.
Teeth caught my lower lip in a swift bite. Her tongue was alive. Hungry. A burning coal. I raked my nails down her shoulders, trying to tear her shirt to the skin beneath. She wrenched me out of the kiss, her hand wrapped around my hair, gone from playful to feral in a heartbeat.
Maybe people were staring. I didn't look. I didn't care.
"You want this?" she growled.
"Yes."
"In public?"
My answer caught in my throat. "Do you?"
She tugged my hair slowly, firmly, the movement tight and controlled, tipping my head back to expose my throat. "I have no problem with everyone knowing what a little slut you are, as long as you're doing it with me."
Shock and arousal washed over me. She couldn't be serious. Lisa might not give a shit what other people thought, but she was a private person — intensely so. Yet I remembered that cold voice the night she turned out the lights: try me.
It was hard to breathe. This was crazy. We needed to get out of here and sober up, and — her rules. They were about to be broken. My room, my way. Those rules were crumbling now; I could feel it.
"Outside," I breathed. "But not here. Just you and me, alone…"
She sucked in a breath. Somehow, we made it through the crowd. She was half-carrying me. The band played on.
Past the quad, we stumbled across the grass. All I felt was her arms around me, her hard body lighting up mine.
When she put me down, we were behind a building, in a small space enclosed on three sides. Trees and gravel and a bike rack were our only company. A few windows cast a faint light.
Step by step I was walked backward, until rough bark scratched my skin.
"Raise your arms."
I squeezed her biceps. "I'm not letting go of you."
"Do as I say, Jennie."
The order surged through my blood, its own kind of drug. I lifted my arms.
"So obedient." Her cool smile drove unbearable heat between my legs. "Lean against the tree. Hold on to that branch above you."
I hung onto a knotted branch. Hands slipped inside my halter top, cupping my bare breasts. My moans couldn't chase each other fast enough.
"Someone's not wearing a bra again." She took her time fondling and teasing. At her impatient pinch on my nipple, I lunged forward, but she wedged her leg between mine. "What a handful you are."
"C'mon, harder," I panted.
A cry burst from my lips when she crushed my nipple between her fingers.
"You're a greedy little slut, Jennie." Sparks of pain and arousal shot through my skin as she leisurely twisted the hard bud. "And you take me so well."
She let go and slapped my breast. I groaned and arched my back, pushing the curve into her palm, but she pulled her hand away, only to slap the soft flesh again.
"Yes, God, oh yes…" I babbled.
"Flaunting your body for everyone to see." She pushed up my halter top, baring my breasts in one quick stroke. I cried out, the breath knocked from me, desperately turned on. "You like being looked at, don't you? You like being watched. You want the truth to come out. You're not a nice girl at all."
Sweet Lord, she must really be thrashed. A breeze raised goosebumps on my breasts. Even in a hidden corner on a deserted part of campus, I felt so exposed. I trembled, clutching the branch.
"Hurt me," I breathed. Embarrass me."
"Demanding bitch." She bit my neck. I moaned at the scrape of sharp teeth. "Forgot where your pay's coming from? You've got one job, and it's to obey my wishes."
"Aren't I?" Working my leg between her, I rubbed the hard bulge in her jeans. "Aren't I everything you've ever wished for?"
She cursed. Skin met mine, under my skirt, hot and hasty. I yelped when savage fingers hooked around my wet panties and fondled my pussy.
"Lisa—"
She pushed inside me, filling me. Her fingers flexed and thrust.
"Am I hurting you, baby?" she cooed. "Are you embarrassed? Are you going to come?"
"Ye-e-es…"
"Of course you are." She devoured my neck, her thumb pressing my swollen clit. My shirt was still pushed up. My breasts bounced with the force of her fingering. "You're worth it, Jennie. You're worth every cent. I can't afford you, but you're worth it."
Surprise punched the fog of pleasure. "What do you mean?"
She laughed, her fingers moving faster. "So hungry for compliments. You want me to tell you all the ways you're worth it?"
God, I did. But I needed to know why she couldn't afford me. And what the hell was happening in her life, and who she was outside our time together, and—
"Yes," I panted. My clit was being flicked. Raw desire filled her eyes. I gripped the tree branch, Lisa fuzzing into a glow. "Tell me."
We were outside, just like the first time we kissed by the ATM. Flowers covered the branches that once had been bare. A shadow behind Lisa flitted across my vision.
I didn't care. All I cared about were her eyes, her voice, the faint smile on her lips, the thick fingers on and in me.
"You're perfect," she crooned, hypnotic. "You're such a good little whore. You want me to put a price on the way you come? Or the blush on your skin when I tell you the truth? How cute you are when you cry, because you're so overwhelmed by the way I fuck you? How much you love it when I hurt you a little? How much I love it when you snarl at me in bed? I can't. You're priceless. You were made for me."
In the wash of her words, I was too far gone for embarrassment. Every sensation splintered me. I was about to come, outside, holding onto a tree, caught in her hands and utterly willing.
Something buzzed against my thigh, trapped between her legs. It buzzed again and again, then stopped.
My eyes snapped open. "Who's calling?"
"Ignore it." She squeezed my breast hard.
The buzzing started again, angry and insistent.
"Shit," she muttered. "Stay like that. Don't move." Her hand left my breast to yank her ringing phone from her pocket. Staring at the screen, she eased her fingers out of me.
I let go of the branch. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Jennie." Words I'd never heard from Lisa's mouth before. Brown eyes darted from me to the screen. "I need to take this. Stay here. I promise, I'll be right back."