Page 91 of Playing the Backbeat

“So, how does everyone know?” I cringe, worry thrumming through my veins at the thought of Dylan hearing this. Will it freak him out if he knows it’s not a secret anymore?

“Dom let it slip.”

“He told Dom? Traitor.” I sneer, even as the wave of relief hits me. If he felt comfortable sharing this with Dom, maybe everyone knowing won’t be quite the shock I thought it’d be. Why am I worried about how Dylan will react? It’s not as if we’re serious or anything.

Yikes. I hope Bec doesn’t hate us for the timing of everyone finding out coinciding with the end of this trip.

“We’re friends,” I say quickly. “With benefits. And sex.”

“I assumed the sex was the benefit.”

“Well, he also gave me a job.” She smirks. “And concert tickets.” Her eyebrows raise. “And a cute birthday present. And he helped me turn offSurvivorwhen I was doom spiraling, which is a huge feat. I tried to bite him, but he held strong. He hid the remote and everything. Couldn’t find it for two days.”

“Yeah…just friends.” She adjusts her bonnet before falling back onto her pillow, pulling the covers over her shoulder. “Don’t let me get in the way of all thefriendshippingyou weregoing to be doing at midnight. On vacation. In a hotel room. Wearing that.”

“Face the wall all you want, Abigail. I can hear the sass in your voice.” I stand, propping my fists on my hips.

She looks back at me, huge grin on her face. “Sorry, did you want me to hide my sass? I’m not very good at that. As long as you’re happy, Dee, go for it. Just try not to scream. He’s only a few rooms away and I’m exhausted.”

***

Less than ten seconds later I’m pounding my fist against Dylan’s door.

“Open up and face me, you traitor,” I whisper-shout, which is pointless, since I’m sure my fist banging on this door will wake anyone before my voice does.

“Jesus Christ, Dee,” Dylan exclaims as he opens the door, stepping back, giving me plenty of room to storm past him. But not before flicking him on the nose. “Ow, what was that for?”

“You told Dom.” He pales.

“Fucking hell, it was literally only days ago. He blabbed already?” He takes a step back, seeing my agitation growing. “Okay, I’m sorry. I needed to talk to someone about this.”

I huff, waving him off. “I’m being unfair. Apparently, there would have been suspicions without Dom being theworstsecret keeper on the entire planet.”

“I’ll admit, Jake would have been the safer choice.”

“Ya think?”

“So, what does this mean?” He crowds me, backing me up into the wall next to his bed. “Are you done with me now that everyone knows?” His voice is playful.

“I thought you’d be upset.”

“I thoughtyouwould be, but I’m glad we don’t have to keep secrets anymore.” He leans down, kissing my neck, his tongue hot as it drags up my throat. I gasp when he tugs my ear between his teeth. I melt into the wall, my knees weakening, and I grip his forearms to hold me steady before he dips lower this time, pulling my robe open and sucking my nipple through the lace of my lingerie. “You’re gonna kill me with this. Holy fuck, you look incredible.”

“But—oh fuck. Yeah, right there.” He’s not playing fair. His fingers tighten on my nipples.

My mind races, scattered, jumping from thought to thought before its attention is ripped away, forced to refocus on the way he plays my body like a fucking drum.

Ha, mental high five.

“What the fuck are we doing?” I ask aloud before I can second-guess myself.

“We’re getting naked,” he says, dropping his sweats to the floor. He steps out of them, kicking them aside so he’s standing there in only his boxer briefs.

Why am I overthinking this? Clearly Dylan isn’t. It’s not like everyone knowing changes anything. We can still do…whatever it is we’re doing. I came here for a reason. And I intend to see that through.

I slap a palm to his chest, stopping him from pressing me back into the wall.

“On your knees,” I demand.