Every Kiss(13)

“If I have to sit at the bottom of the stairs, no one will be getting up here.” Just another reason I adore Shane. Everyone knows his party rules. You either a) have a predetermined sober driver or b) bring your sleeping bag to sleep over. If you plan to sleep over, your car keys go in the bowl when you walk in the door. The bowl is then hidden until the next morning. After losing a friend to drunk driving, he takes it very seriously.

I follow her back down and help her put the doggie gate up at the bottom step. An adult can easily step over it, but we’re hoping it sends a message that it’s off limits. Deep bass echoes throughout the house along with the mixture of voices, laughter, and clinking glasses. Bodies are crushed together in the living area, which has been transformed into a dance floor. The dining area has become the bar, so quite a crowd is gathered there, waiting their turn for a drink of their choice. The kitchen island has a few gifts and a large sheet cake, still in the box. This is a birthday party unlike anything I’ve seen before. Who knew Tall, Dark, and Moody could have so many friends?

Well, speak of the devil. He appears through the back door, and I’m just about to walk over to officially give him my birthday wishes, but he drags a tall brunette in the door with him. I’m assuming this is the girl he was on the phone with earlier. She’s not the kind of person I’d imagine him with. Her wiry, curly hair could use some styling product to control the frizz, and she dresses like a slut. Okay, maybe it’s just a little tinge of jealousy talking, but she’s definitely not what I’d expect.

Hmm. Jealousy? Is that what that is? Maybe I’m just still aggravated that he considers me a child, but let me tell you, I look like more of a real woman than she does.

“I don’t think we’ve met before. Name’s Jake. You?”

I turn to the mountain of man approaching me. Whoa. Talk about sex on a stick. With a face, body, and voice like that, this guy isn’t melting hearts when he walks into a room . . . he’s melting panties. “Pleased to meet you, Jake.” I hold out my hand to shake his. “I’m Callie.”

He lifts my hand to brush his lips across my knuckles before releasing my hand. “The pleasure is all mine, gorgeous.” Yep. Definitely panty-melting. “Wes and I have been best friends since we were playing Kiss Chase in first grade. We’d take turns helping each other corner the girl we wanted to kiss. How do you know him?”

“Really, I don’t. I just met him this afternoon. His brother is dating my best friend, Makenna.”

“Oh, yeah? I saw him with her earlier. Cute girl. So, which lucky guy are you here with?”

I open my mouth to answer, but I’m silenced by the appearance of Wes at my side.

“She’s here with me,” he says with a slight chill in his voice. His words stun me, and I can’t figure out what the hell to say to that.

Jake belly laughs and punches Wes’ shoulder. “Oh, man. Does Allison know that? Because I have a feeling she doesn’t like to share. She certainly doesn’t look too pleased with you right now.”

I whip my head in the direction of Jake’s gaze and see Allison perched on a bar stool, glaring in our direction. Her too-pink lips are tightly pursed, and she’s shooting daggers at him. At me. I’m not sure which.

“I don’t mean ‘with me’ in that way,” Wes says, shaking his head. “I mean she’s off limits to you. She’s off limits to all of the assholes here. You make sure and remember that.” He points his finger at his chest.

I clamp my hand around his wrist. “Excuse me. Can I talk to you for a second? In private?”

He jerks his head toward the stairs and stalks over to Allison. “Be right back,” I hear him grumble. He follows me across the room, occasionally grabbing my shoulders to steer me around the crush of bodies or a staggering drunk. I hear his footsteps following mine up the stairs, and I’m thrown into the sudden realization of what this looks like to everyone watching. If the cat calls and whistles are any indication, I’d almost bet the rumor mill is already circulating. Great.

I turn down the corridor toward my room, but he grabs my elbow and pulls me into his instead. Shutting the door behind us, he sits at the edge of his bed and looks up at me, waiting.

“What the hell was that down there, Wes? I’m with you? I appreciate your help and all, but I don’t need you cock-blocking for me.” I feel my pulse firing rapidly in my chest, but I can’t figure out if it’s because I’m angry at him or if it’s because I’m alone with him. In his bedroom.