Page 67 of Don't Think

For a second, I think I imagined it… until a smile spreads across her lips. Then I have to fight the urge not to throw her over my shoulder and find the nearest empty room. Hell, a bloody wardrobe would do if she keeps looking at me like that.

What the hell is going on with me?

I haven’t wanted sex since Emelia—not from anyone. Then the second Allie’s dress hit the floor in her bedroom? Something changed, and now it’s all I can think about.

I feel like a fucking teenager hitting puberty all over again.

I nod, dragging a hand through my hair. “Alright. I think we need some ground rules.”

A waiter swings by, sliding a glass of ice water in front of each of us. Allie grabs hers quickly, her lips wrapping around the straw as she takes a long sip.

My eyes lock on her mouth and the way her cheeks hollow just a little. Jesus Christ, even that is making my balls tighten painfully.

“What sort of rules?” she asks, and my gaze snaps back to hers.

Well… I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I didn’t expect her to say yes. What kind of rules do you even set for something like this?

“First one’s a big one,” I say, holding up a finger. “If it ever starts to feel like too much, we stop. If it doesn’t feel right anymore, or either of us gets uncomfortable, we stop immediately. No questions asked.”

“That’s a good one,” she says, nodding. “And this stays between us. Nobody needs to know our business. I’d never hear the end of it.”

I wince, shrugging. “That one might be tough. The guys are always up all night. It’s gonna be hard to slip away without them noticing.”

“Okay,” she sighs. “Gareth can know. But Jamescannotknow. He and Ana are way too close.”

I nod. “Agreed. We can meet here, rent a room on a different floor or something,” I offer with a shrug.

She takes a slow breath, then nods, meeting my eyes.

“We’re really doing this?” she asks quietly.

“Only if you want to,” I remind her. “There’s absolutely no pressure.”

She shifts in her seat, turning until our knees touch, then extends her hand. I take it and give it a simple shake.

“It’s a deal,” I say with a grin.

She smiles. “It’s a deal.”

The low hum of the bar fills the silence between us. Glasses clink, someone laughs from across the room, but it all feels far away. Right now, it feels like it’s just us.

Making a deal I’m not entirely sure I can keep my end of.

How are we supposed to do this with no strings attached when all I want are the strings?

I guess I’ll settle for what I can get—even if it’s just these moments of pretending I’m not constantly thinking about her.

Chapter Twenty

Allie

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

It feels like I’m back in high school, waiting for my mom to go to bed so I can sneak out. Not that I ever actuallydidit, but I definitely worked up the nerve a few times to at least try.

The three of us aresupposedto be watchingThe Notebookfor the millionth time. We’ve got the wine, the popcorn, the tissues—all the essentials for the perfect girls’ night. But how am I supposed to focus on that when I know the second they go to bed, I’m supposed to meet Jax?

Sneaking out. At twenty-five years old. To go havesexwith arock star.