Page 41 of Stroked Hard
Motioning with my fingers over my chest I say, “Cross my heart. That’s it, but you have to promise that you will follow through with your end if I have good enough gossip. You can’t lie.”
There is a pause as she assesses me. “You have nothing.”
“Test me. Shake on it and I’ll divulge what I have.”
I hold out my hand, which she studies. With a sigh, she shakes it and I revel in the second I get to hold her hand right before she disengages our connection.
Looking behind her, to make sure Reese is still in the house, she turns back to me and says, “Okay, spill.”
Chancing a glance into the house as well, I see Paisley has finally arrived so I have to make this quick. Reese has told me very little but there is one detail I do know that I believe will secure my victory.
Rubbing my hands together, knowing I’ve got this in the bag, I lean forward and say, “Are you ready for this?”
“Just get on with it,” Melony says exasperated, but also a little giddy to see what I have to tell her.
“You can’t tell her I told you this. That would be breaking the gossiping code.”
“There is no such thing and stop delaying, just tell me.”
“Promise you won’t tell.”
Rolling her eyes, she says, “I promise I won’t tell.”
“Wow, so convincing,” I say sarcastically. “I don’t believe you. Pinky promise with me.”
Irritated, she asks, “What are you, a twelve-year-old girl?”
I wiggle my pinky at her. “Pinky promise, pineapple puss.”
“Fine.” She wraps her pinky around mine and we shake on it. “Satisfied? Now tell me and this better be good for all the trouble you put me through.”
Smiling brightly, I lean toward her, taking in her fresh, flowery scent and say, “Reese would chop off my dick if he knew I told you this, but the first time they were intimate, she gave him a blow job on his welcome mat. Didn’t even make it into the house.”
I knew the minute I gave up a juicy fact, Melony’s eyes would widen with surprise. She knows it’s good gossip. I know it’s good gossip. It’s solidified: I fucking own the title of gossip king. And you know what, I will wear that title with pride because it’s given me the chance to be closer with Melony. Sorry, Reese and Paisley, I will buy you a fruit basket to make it up to you for throwing you under the bus for my own benefit. But I don’t feel bad because the look on Melony’s face was all worth it.
Without a word from her, I say, “Now how do you like to hold hands, linked fingers or unlinked? I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”
She swallows hard and answers, “Unlinked.”
When she looks up at me, I see the vulnerable girl she tries so hard to hide.I want you, too, Melony. I want to hold you, too.
Chapter Ten
MELONY
A blow job on a welcome mat. Who knew that was going to be my undoing?
I was so convinced Hollis was all talk. I mean, how could I not? Ever since I’ve known him he’s been full of bullshit, constantly spouting off random crap. Did I really think he had some good gossip? No, I didn’t. I would have bet a date with him on it. Thankfully he only asked to hold hands, which seemed innocent.
That was what I thought until we said our goodbyes and Hollis led me out to his car. For some reason, the tension between us has grown to exponential lengths. And I’m not talking about awkward tension; I’m talking about sexual tension.
That one little victory on his end has changed everything. I notice all his perusals now, the way he licks his lips when he stares at mine. The way he intently watches me when he thinks I’m not paying attention. The way his breath hitches whenever I draw near him. I see all the signs. He’s not all talk. He actually likes me.
And that fact terrifies me more than anything.
So giving in and letting him hold my hand for the drive home scares me. Will he want it to lead to something else? Will I?
I can’t even handle that thought right now. I don’t want anything with him. He talks a great talk of future promises and the kind of people we could be. You know, the kind that are madly in love and can’t get enough of each other.
