I curl my palm over her thigh, and that shuts her up with a gasp. I know Harmony can probably see what I’m doing, and I just do not give a fuck.
I don’t care about anything but Jessica.
I circle the flesh high on her thigh with my fingers, tracing a path over her skin. She very indiscreetly squirms closer. Her head lolls, coming to rest on my shoulder.
My fingers climb higher.
She tilts her chin, nestling into the curve of my neck, quickening breath hot on my skin.
My grip on her tightens.
I have never in my life experienced anything like the chemistry I have with her. It’s like everything that’s been dead inside me is suddenly switched on.
I am exercising actual willpower not to lunge at her. If Harmony weren’t sitting next to us, I’d have my fingers buried in her cunt already.
All of a sudden, the car jerks to a stop, jostling me out of my lust-filled haze.
Jessica sits up. “What’s happening?”
“You’re home,” Ryder says, his tone sharp.
“Oh.” She looks around, finds her phone, then looks back at me.
Our eyes meet in the darkness, where we lock in, and even when it becomes awkward, we can’t move away.
“You’re going to have to open the door and let her out, Charlie.” Ryder’s voice is filled with exasperation.
I don’t take my eyes off Jessica. “I’m going to make sure she gets in all right.”
Ryder sighs. “Of course you are.”
I open the door, and she says her goodnights, following me into the darkness. She stumbles when she gets out of the car, and because I’m not in the mood to be patient, I catch her around the waist, swing her up, and throw her over my shoulder.
“Really?” Ryder yells from the car window.
I hear female laughter from the car.
“Charlie, put me down!” Jessica shouts.
But I don’t. I take the steps with relative ease, considering I’m far past sober, and when I get to the door, I ask, “Key?”
“It’s open.”
I walk into the foyer, before slamming the door shut with my foot.
“Hi, Hailey,” Jessica calls out.
I look toward the dimly lit room full of books and see her sister staring at us with wide, startled eyes, sitting in a leather chair. “It looks like someone had fun.”
“It was excellent.” Jessica waves at the front door. “Until our stupid brother showed up and, once again, ruined everything.”
Hailey chuckles. “He’s a real buzzkill.”
“That’s what I said,” Jessica says.
“We couldn’t drive.” I tilt my head toward the door. “He’s waiting on me. Where’s her bedroom?”
“I can walk,” Jessica says.