Chapter Twenty

Honey

"Looking good, Honey," Brett calls. He and Jamie are leaning against the railing of Kyle's porch, smoking a joint as I make my way up the stairs. I give him the middle finger salute and walk straight into the house. I'm not here to entertain any of them; I've not got long, and there's only one person I want to see tonight.

The house is packed, and as I make my way through the throngs of students, I search for that pop of blond hair that has made me feel hotter than I'd like to admit. "Excuse me," I yell, pushing people out of the way until I see his messy hair in the kitchen. My heart beats faster, and I adjust my dress, making sure the stretchy fabric falls on my hips in just the right way.

Olivia and Mike are talking to him, but neither notice me coming, so I decide to be a little playful. When Olivia sees me, I raise my finger to my lips, shushing her, and then cover Zach's eyes with my palms. "Guess who," I whisper in his ear before giving his lobe a little nibble. It's a move I would never have attempted before yesterday.

He snakes his arms behind him, wraps his hands around my waist, and lifts me up. "Is that my Chickpea?" His stupid nickname makes me laugh.

When he puts me down, he turns, offering his beautiful wide smile, and embraces me in a hug. He kisses my forehead, and that little zing of a touch makes my stomach turn to goo. He feels so right. "You're looking beautiful tonight." I take Zach's hand and squeeze. "Is that why you're late? Because you could wear a dishrag, and I'd still think you were hot."

Anxious breaths and hot flutterings fill my lungs. Is this what it's supposed to feel like when you want someone's approval?

I roll my head back. "It's a long story."

He brings his hand to my hair, pulling a twig out to show me, and raises a brow. "A long story that you're going to have to tell me. Otherwise, I'll think you fell into a bush just to get here." I laugh it off, slapping him playfully because he's way closer to the truth than I'd like to admit. Scaling my own house to avoid the security cameras when I snuck out may have been one of my more drastic moves, but it was the only way out.

"Will you two get a room," Olivia whines while smiling, and I greet her and Mike before taking my place next to Zach. His arm falls to my hips, and you'd think we were a real couple. After yesterday, maybe we are.

I don't let my mind wander too far down that road because we haven't talked about anything just yet. But when he pulls me a little closer so I'm leaning against him, it's hard not to.

After talking to our friends for ten minutes, Olivia tugs Mike's arm. "Come on. I've got something to show you," she says with a raised brow.

Mike averts his gaze to Olivia, and a smile forms on his face. "Ah, sure thing, Livi." Turning his attention to Zach for a second, he says, "Be here at midnight so I can take you home."

"Sure thing, Boss." Zach nods and watches as Olivia pulls him away. "Wanna bet that whatever Olivia is showing him involves no clothes."

I tut, playfully turning to Zach. "Bet? I thought we only play to win, and we both know that if I accepted that bet, I'd lose."

It was supposed to be a joke, but Zach's flat lips and awkward expression look far more downcast than before. "You're right. We shouldn't be making these kinds of deals." Suddenly, this conversation feels more serious. "Honey, I think we need to talk."

"Honey, I've—" Zach's interrupted by Jamie's hand clamping down on his shoulder.

"Zach. Honey." Jamie's overjealous voice pierces my ears as his crocodile smile comes into view. "Wasn't expecting you here, Scholarship Kid. Honey, did you invite the help again?" A few football players behind him chuckle, and I want to hit the living shit out of all their privileged asses.

Zach's face doesn't show it, but I can feel the tension in his grip. "Jamie, I'm surprised to see you here. Thought you'd be out looking for someone to shove your tiny dick into." Jamie sputters his beer, the guys behind him slap him on the back, and Zach stares at me with wide eyes.

"Jamie just got told," one of the footballers calls out, laughing.

Focusing my attention on the guys, I say, "Not that I have to tell any of you. You see that pencil cock every day in the locker room."

Zach laughs, and I hold his hand a little tighter, pulling him away from the furor. Getting out of the kitchen, I find a quiet place by the stairs and wrap my arms around Zach's waist. His brows are furrowed, and he looks deep in thought.

"I'm sorry about that idiot."

He jolts his head up, looking at me in surprise. "What do you have to be sorry about? You just made Jamie look like an ass, and I live for that shit." I laugh as he drags me against him and kisses me on the side of my neck. "You're so hot when you stand up for yourself."

Happily, I inhale his scent, letting him hold me in place. He's the one who gave me the confidence to stand up for myself; now, if only I had the confidence to tell him that.

Backing away, Zach laces his hand with mine and lifts his chin. "Can we go upstairs to talk?"

I follow his gaze to the large staircase with couples walking down, still looking weathered from their escapades upstairs.

"Mh-mm." The excitement brimming through my veins is too much. Zach Evans is inviting me upstairs at a party, which only means one thing. He wants to do a heck of a lot more than talk. I do too.

As he leads me up the stairs, I drop my gaze to my feet, not wanting to spoil the mood by fumbling down them. When he finds an empty room, he motions me inside and shuts the door.

Click.

He locks the door, and now my temperature is rising. He hasn't touched me, but I feel him all over. The memory of yesterday is still fresh in my mind.

"That's better." Zach leans against the locked door, and his eyes roam my body. "Did I tell you how good you look in that?" His green eyes have darkened, his face growing a lot more serious, and I instinctively put my hands on my dress, smoothing it down. "You don't need to do that. You look perfect."

I let out an awkward chuckle and stare at the floor, because sometimes, Zach is a little too intense. His footsteps fill the room, and I lift my gaze when his shoes come into view.

"It feels a little different tonight, doesn't it?" Zach brings his hand to my hair, drawing another twig from it. He twirls it in his hand and looks at me quizzically.

I bite my bottom lip, nodding with a smile. "It's felt different for me since my birthday," I say, toying with the honeybee necklace he got me. His face softens as he watches. "I've been thinking about it a lot."

"I've thought a lot about it too." I swallow, excited about where this could go but not sure I'm ready for everything to change. "I like you, Honey."

"I like you too," I reply, a little too eagerly for Zach not to read into it. I grimace when he starts to study my expression.

"Were you serious?"

"About?"

"About the new rule you wanted to implement in our deal?" My stomach drops, and I gulp at knowing that's what he wants to talk about. Not the feelings behind what happened yesterday because he has none; it's only poor, desperate me who thought there was anything more behind him dry humping me in a closet.

"You mean the one we already enacted?" I feel a little bitter but try not to show it. I'm the idiot who thought this was a good idea in the first place. I wanted to test things out before talking to him about my changing feelings, and now I'm getting exactly what I deserve.

"Yeah," he answers sheepishly. "I've been thinking about it, and I think you might have been on to something." How do I leave this room without further embarrassment? I don't think I can. "We obviously like being around each other, and we're getting hot from all the make-out sessions; why not add that rule? We can't be with anyone else, so maybe we should just do it?"

Oh, God. How badly I've read this situation sinks in. He only helped me out yesterday because I essentially begged him, and now he's thinking I'm desperate enough to agree to my own stupid suggestion. He's not wrong, though, which makes it even worse.

"Maybe," I say with a lilt in my voice. There's no way I can back out of this… Not that I'd want to. Kissing Zach is the most alive I've ever felt, and if we keep up our fake dating charade, I can't exactly turn around and put a no-kissing ban on us. Maybe I need to ride the wave and have a good time with him instead of expecting something more.

"I have one condition, though," Zach interjects, and I quirk an eyebrow. "It's the same thing as you mentioned before. We can't catch feelings."

Little late for that on my end. "No feelings?" I play dumb because I want him to elaborate.

"Like I said, Honey." His eyes drop to my lips, and I poke my tongue out, licking them. "I like you and think you might like me too." I'm sure my flustered expression gives it away, but thankfully, not how much. "And I've been thinking a lot about this. We can have fun, but nothing can happen between us beyond the bet." Have fun, but nothing more. After Jamie, can I handle that? Swallowing, I step back, shaking my head because I'm trying my best to look unaffected by his words. Zach grabs my hand.

"Hey," he whispers, bringing me closer to him. "That doesn't mean I'm going to stop this bet or not take you to the debutante ball. I just think we need to clear the air." This is so tragic; he thinks I'm upset because he might miss the ball. That's the last thing on my mind.

"Uh-huh." My mouth hangs open because I still don't know what to say. Sneaking out here tonight, I thought we'd repeat the janitor's closet, but Zach had a different idea.

"Our chemistry is hot." He's so into his words that he hasn't noticed my withering face. "But our lives are just so different. Your parents only accept me now because it distracts people from the whole Jamie fiasco." I purse my lips. He could be right. My parents are too focused on image and not enough on my happiness. It's the only reason they're even entertaining Zach and I dating. Although, after yesterday's grounding, that might not be for long. "And with football, my scholarship, and commitments, I wouldn't be able to focus on you after this ends."

There it is again. Commitments. Commitments. Commitments. That's all he ever talks about but never elaborates, and I'm too scared to ask what those commitments are. Since he only wants me as a booty call, there's no point asking about it now.

"Only sex, though," I blurt out. Maybe it's a Freudian slip since it's all I've been thinking about.

"What else were you thinking? Threesomes? Because I'd rather not invite Mike into the bedroom if I can help it." He jokes, leaving a little kiss on my cheek.

"Nothing, I was just confirming what you said. No feelings… Just sex."

"Just sex." He looks up, then back down at me. "Okay. So is this an update in our contract?" he asks, his hand already snaking around my neck, then he pushes his fingers through my hair.

"I think so."

A large smile gleams on his face. "Great, then shall we seal it with a kiss?"

"Sounds sensible." I smirk. Pushing my better judgment aside, I focus on Zach. With deep, dark eyes, he's watching my every move, hungry for me. It's a sight I'm not used to, so I should relish in it.

He drops his lips to mine, tracing a thumb across my cheek as he kisses me slowly, testing the waters to make sure I'm into it. I dig my nails into his biceps as he teases me with his tongue.

It doesn't take long for his kisses to feel ferocious, and he grinds his body against mine. I want to dip my head back, but Zach holds me in place, making me feel insatiable. He pushes me until the back of my thighs hit the dresser.

"Zach," I breathe against his mouth, and his lips curve into a smile as he drags them across my jaw to the column of my neck. He pokes his tongue out with a few tentative swipes, and I'm right there.

I want it. I want him so bad.

The more he kisses me, the more I think he's right. We won't work outside the confines of this bet, so I should just enjoy it. After all, I deserve a couple of climaxes after everything Jamie put me through.

Zach answers my moan by capturing my lips, then lifts me by my thighs and places me on the dresser. Stepping between my legs, he drapes his body across mine and grinds against my center. Grasping the ends of his hair, I pull at the strands, moaning.

My eyes roll to the back of my head, and I can't stop thinking about where this will end or if I ever want it to.

He breaks our kiss. "Are you sure about this?" he asks, giving me an out. Oddly, as his hand sits on his belt, I almost think he wants me to take it even though we just agreed to this. Even though I suggested it.

Feeling the pulse in my lips from our kisses, I nod. "Because I will want more once we do this." At least it's not just me. "And our deal is until prom."

"That's three months away." I swallow. Am I strong enough to last three months without catching feelings for Zach? Haven't I already?

"Exactly. So, is this what you want? Because if it isn't, we can pretend your birthday and the janitor's closet never happened. We can go back to how things were at the beginning. Just kissing in public."

Fat chance of that happening, and I can tell that's not what Zach wants either. There's no way I'll be able to handle kissing him like that without something for the next few months.

He sighs in relief, picks me up, and drops me off on the fluffy white bed. "Do you know how much I've thought about this?" His eyes roam every part of my body like he's trying to commit this moment to memory. "About you." My heart flutters, but I try to hold back from showing any emotion. "Ever since that first night we kissed. I can't get the taste of you off my mind."

Sitting up, I shuffle up the bed. "Where are you going, Peanut?" He grabs both of my ankles and pulls me closer. When I'm at the edge of the bed, he bends my legs and spreads them wide so he can fall between them.

With his hands cupping my face, he leans down, kissing me sensually before nipping my lower lip and tugging at it. I smile into the kiss, and he takes that as his cue to dive in further. We've made out plenty of times before, and I've always felt those tingles that start in your toes, building their way up your body. Tonight is different, though. Because tonight, we're sitting on a bed and have agreed we can do more.

His fingers stretch across my back, reaching for the zipper of my dress. I'm already hot, wet, and horny thinking about where this will go.

He flicks his tongue across mine in a teasing gesture, then my body takes over. I grab his shoulders and dig my nails in. He finally draws my zipper down, and I shiver as the cold air hits my warm skin.

After dragging the fabric down my body, he leaves it pooling around my hips. I'm left in a black strapless bra and matching thong. He takes his time looking me over, and I let him. I push my chest out, feeling confident when I see the heat behind his eyes. I'm doing that. Me. When our eyes connect, I arch my back and unhook my bra, moving it out of the way so he can see all of me.

"So fucking hot," he purrs.

"This is just sex," I reiterate, more to remind myself than him. It's just sex.

"Just sex." He nods as I toy with the hem of his shirt, then he helps me lift the fabric and tosses it in the corner.

Zach's chest… I've seen it before, but never towering over me. His body is ripped with muscle and painted in bruises. My hands graze across his discolored skin, and he doesn't flinch from the touch.

"Are these all from football?" I ask. He places his palm over my hand and applies pressure as we move across the ridges of his torso.

"More from practice than games. In games, the players have to protect me." No wonder he hates South Point. Gripping Zach's chest, I push him off me, and force him to roll onto his back. Resting his head on the headboard, he watches as I prowl over his body, kissing every bruise, no matter how faint it is. As my lips touch his skin, his breath hitches, and I smile, liking I'm the one who's doing that to him.

One of his hands cups my breast, thumbing my nipple as I get to work. I'm already wet for him, but after seeing the bruises caused by his teammates, I want to show him we aren't all that bad. His hand moves down my body, leaving a trail of burning desire. He hooks his thumb under my thong and as he starts to remove it, I stop him because I don't want him making this all about me like last time. I want to take matters into my own hands.

Zach watches me with a deft glare as I unbuckle his belt and unbutton his jeans. "Lift up." He follows my orders, lifting his hips, and I pull his jeans down to his knees.

This is it. The thin black fabric of Zach's boxers is the only thing separating us from the point of no return. Licking my lips, I dive right in.

"Oh, god," he groans when my hand grazes across his boxers. I can feel the thickness of his hard cock, and I love knowing I'm the one doing that to him. My fingers slip under the waistband, and I pull the fabric down before he can object.

He takes in a sharp breath as his dick springs out. Hard, thick, and huge, I can't believe the audacity of this dick. "You're so much thicker than Jamie," I say wide-eyed, without thinking. "And longer."

I wrap my hands around his length, noting that my fingers don't touch. Maybe I need to rethink this whole sex agreement. I'm not sure I can handle that.

"Yeah," Zach drawls with a clenched jaw. "If we're going to do this, you can't mention Jamie while you've got your hand around my cock."

"Sorry." I don't bother looking at him, too enthralled with how his cock feels as I pump it slowly in my hands. I brush my thumb across the precum, then swipe it down the length for lubrication. He feels so good in my hands.

"Yeah, I'm not going to need long," he groans.

I give him a little smile before licking the rim of his cock. Zach grimaces and brings his hand to my face, rubbing my cheek with his thumb. The way he looks at me makes me feel sexy and confident, something I never felt with Jamie, and I want to watch him come undone.

With my hands around the base, I kiss the slit of his cock before taking him into my mouth, pushing down until he reaches the back of my throat.

"Shit, Honey." I suck him deeper and only stop when my eyes water. Disappointed I can't get more of him in, I squeeze the base of his cock and swallow, hoping that will make him feel good. His balls tighten under my hand as he tries to get me to slow down, but I don't let up. If he comes quickly, so be it. I want to be the reason for it.

"Honey," Zach warns, his hands dig deeper into my hair. The pain sends a jolt of arousal straight to my core, and I rub against his thick thigh, giving myself the tiniest bit of relief. With his eyes crinkled shut and his body quivering, I know he's close.

"I'm going to come," he says, and I don't let up. Sucking and pumping his shaft, I watch his face intently. When his balls tighten, I take him out of my throat.

His eyes burst open even though my hand is still pumping. He probably thinks I don't want to swallow him down, but it's not that. I want to watch him come. His stomach muscles tighten, and I know he's there.

When he throws his head back, I open my mouth and rest the tip of his cock on my tongue as I jerk him off. "Oh, god." His cum ribbons into my mouth and over my lips, leaving a trail down my chin, and I lick it up.

He opens his eyes with labored breaths, watching me as I swipe my tongue across my lips and swallow him down. Not finished, I lick up and down his shaft, making sure I get every last salty bit.

"That's the hottest thing I've ever seen."

"Good. That will be the first of many." I wink, pushing to my knees to find my bra. "Unfortunately, though, that will have to be it for tonight." I've been out of the house for over an hour now, and I'm skating my luck. Once my mom sees my car is gone, she'll come to find me, and I'd rather not have to explain to her why I'm barely dressed with Zach's cock in my mouth.

Zach mindlessly watches me as I put my bra back on and search for my dress. Where the heck did he put that thing?

"Wait." Zach pulls his jeans and boxers up so he can sit straighter. "Where are you going? You can't just leave me here like this."

I chuckle and smile when I finally find my dress behind the mirror. Once I've put it on, I adjust my hair and wipe my lips, making sure I look presentable. "You ready to go?" I ask, walking to the door.

As I go to unlock it, he stalks me from behind. He slams his hands against the wood on either side of my head, making me jump. "What's the rush, Kitty Cat?" His voice is low and sexy, and when I turn to look at him, heat burns behind his eyes. "Don't you think it's about time I return the favor?" He drags his hand down my body, resting it on my side.

I push my hips out. "You already did." He looks up at me and tilts his head. "That was me returning the favor for that dry hump in the closet."

He smiles, his fingers trailing over the fabric of my dress. "I can do more for you than that if you'd like?"

His hand drops to my middle, and he brushes his finger over my fabric-covered navel. I shiver and close my eyes. "Zach," I warn through gritted teeth. It feels so good, and it would be nothing for him to drop down to his knees and return the favor, but that's not how I want it to go down. I need to get home and don't want to feel rushed when I finally get eaten out. I place my hand over his. "We should go downstairs before someone finds us."

He drops his hand. "Too bad, I guess tasting you will just have to wait."

My pulse spikes at that thought, and I push the door's handle down, making it clear that we won't be doing that tonight. As much as I want to know what it feels like to have his tongue on me, I'm willing to wait.

I open the door, take Zach's hand, and pull him out of the room. As we walk down the stairs, a few football players smile at Zach, but he doesn't seem to care. He's still too dazed from that blow job.

Standing at the bottom of the stairs, I give him a small kiss. "Thanks for tonight and the updated agreement."

"If anyone should be thankful, it should be me." He laughs, bringing me in for a hug.

"I've got to go." One final kiss and I back away. "I'll call you." Walking backward, I cringe. "Wait, I can't. My mother has my phone. I'll see you at school on Monday if I can't call you."

He nods with a smile. "Okay, Cinderella. Can't wait to see you again."

With that, I skip out the door and jog to my car, giggling the whole way.