Tears of love

4. Desire.

CHAPTER 4. Desire.

“I still don’t get what the hell I’m doing here,” Sadie mutters in my ear, sounding bored. Going out to party has always been my idea, never hers. Sadie prefers to stay in her room, rereading one of her favorite books or watching one of those series she loves for the fifth time.

“Because I asked you to,” I tell her, taking the vodka martini I ordered from the bartender a few minutes ago. “You sure you don’t want a drink?”

“No, thanks.”

I smile and shake my head. Still, I order one of those sweet cocktails she likes so much. She takes it reluctantly and sticks close to me as we head toward Jeremy and my brother.

“What are you guys talking about?” I ask, discreetly watching how Sadie, tense shoulders and all, sits next to my brother.

“I was just telling Tyler about the company thing, butterfly,” Jeremy explains. Immediately, a huge smile spreads across my face.

“That’s amazing, right, Ty?”

My brother nods distractedly, sipping his drink while watching Sadie, still stiff beside him.

“You’re going to work with your dad?” she asks Jeremy, her eyes curious.

“My dad wants me to run the company when I graduate, so he thinks it’d be good for me to start helping out with some stuff in my free time.”

“Congratulations, Jeremy,” Sadie replies with a faint but sweet smile on her lips. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”

“And what about you? I heard you’re job hunting. Did you find anything yet?”

Jeremy and Sadie have always gotten along well. The fact that we all grew up together kind of bonded us in a very obvious way. And even though my brother and Sadie argue sometimes, deep down, I know they care about each other.

“I wonder who told you that,” she says, giving me a playful look.

“Remember Easton?” I cut in for her. Jeremy nods. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my brother paying attention to our conversation. “His dad owns a bar he’s about to start managing, and Easton offered Sadie a job there as a waitress.”

Tyler downs the rest of his drink in one go.

“Are you sure you want that job?” Jeremy asks, concern clear on his face. “Dealing with drunk assholes can’t be easy.”

“I didn’t find anything else,” she explains. “Everywhere else wanted experience I don’t have, so I didn’t have a choice.”

“Well, you know what you’re doing.”

“Why don’t you just swallow your pride and let your mom pay for college?” my brother cuts in.

“Tyler, stay out of it,” Sadie snaps, her voice rising a little.

“I’m just saying,” he defends himself, raising his hands in peace. “Come on, Sadie, don’t be stupid. You’re not used to dealing with drunks—hell, you don’t even drink.”

“You’re all overreacting. I’m not some fragile little girl. If I accepted the job, it’s because I can handle it.” She looks at us pointedly, then sighs. “I’m just... going to the bathroom.”

She gets up, and my brother stops me when I start to follow her.

“I’ll go.”

I nod, sink back into my seat next to Jer, and together we silently watch the two of them arguing across the room.

Tyler grabs Sadie’s arm, says something to her, and she yells back, waving her hands wildly. She’s pissed, and so is he—until I watch, almost in slow motion, as my brother cups her cheeks gently and murmurs something against her forehead that instantly calms her down.

I sigh, wondering when the hell they’ll finally give in to whatever’s between them.

My brother takes her to the bar and orders food—the one thing Sadie never says no to.

“Bet it’s wings,” Jer says beside me.

“With spicy sauce,” I add.

“Just like them.”

I stick a finger in my mouth and fake a gag, making him burst out laughing.

“You’re talking about my brother and my best friend.”

“Who’ll soon be sharing more than just spicy wings, I bet.”

“Did Ty tell you he likes her?”

“He told me he hates her,” Jer says with a grin. “I can’t stand her. She drives me crazy—she’s so damn stubborn.” He mimics my brother’s voice, and I laugh.

“Yeah, he loves her.”

Jer and I watch them like two nosy spectators. They’re both pretending to be mad, but their body language screams comfort and familiarity.

“Bet they’ll be dating in a month.”

“I doubt it. They’re both too damn stubborn.”

“Look at them,” Jer nods toward them. My brother’s stealing a wing from Sadie’s plate, and she slaps his hand hard, making him tug her hair in return.

She yelps, he laughs, and they’re back to bickering.

It’s a vicious cycle that never ends.

“Let’s dance,” Jer says, getting up and offering me his hand.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Taking his hand, I follow him to the dance floor, where we move between laughter and ridiculous dance moves that make us both crack up. People around us stare, but we don’t care. Sweat trickles down my back, so I take off my denim jacket and fan myself with my hand. I leave the jacket at our table and go back to Jer.

It’s hot as hell.

“You dressed to kill, Rora,” Jer says in a weird tone, making me laugh.

I glance down at my outfit—a simple dress that hugs my figure. I’m not dressed any differently than usual when we go out, but the way Jeremy’s looking at me, you’d think I’d spent my whole life wearing paper bags and this was the first time I put on real clothes.

I’m about to reply, but Sadie suddenly storms over to me, furious. “I’m leaving. I can’t stand your brother.”

My best friend storms toward the exit while an equally pissed Tyler chases after her, shouting, “Come on, Sadie, don’t be mad!”

And there they go again, sparks flying as always.

Jer looks at me; I look at him. At the same time, we both shrug and burst out laughing.

Then I hear it—Vigilant s**t blasting through the speakers, making me scream with excitement.

“I f*****g love this song!” I yell to Jer, already lost in the sensual beat and lyrics.

Without thinking, I start moving my hips, laughing and singing the lyrics at the top of my lungs. My hair keeps falling into my face with every movement, and that’s when I notice Jeremy—completely still, just staring at me.

“Aren’t you gonna dance?” I frown when he just keeps watching.

“I…” His hands suddenly grab my hips, pulling me closer. “Yeah, sorry... got distracted.”

His hands on my body start setting the rhythm, and I ignore how close we are, focusing only on the music and the laughter bubbling out of me. My skin tingles all over, and the lyrics pour out of me like a damn anthem.

Then, halfway through the song, I feel his breath on my neck. The warm air sends shivers down my spine. His lips brush my skin so lightly I almost think I imagined it—until the spark that lingers tells me I didn’t.

My body trembles head to toe, and I freeze.

Jeremy’s never touched me like this before.

“You okay?” I lean back to look into his eyes.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he whispers in my ear.

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

He doesn’t look away while his hand slides slowly down to my lower back, pressing me firmly against him.

We both let out a shaky sound when we feel the contact.

“Jeremy, you…” I swallow hard when I feel his erection against me.

He looks at me almost helplessly, eyes locked on mine, waiting for me to decide what happens next.

“Do you want to stop?” I ask.

Jer shakes his head, pulling me closer until my breasts press against his chest. His pupils are blown wide, and I can feel him harden even more against my stomach.

Maybe it’s the martini in my system, or maybe it’s the years I’ve spent loving him—but my lips betray me.

“Then don’t stop.”

He growls, and the next thing I know, we’re dancing impossibly close—so close I can feel every muscle in his body.

“I want you,” he murmurs, pushing my hair aside so his lips can trail wet kisses down my neck. His mouth finds a sensitive spot and sucks hard, making me arch for him.

When the hell did things get this hot this fast?

His hands slide under my dress, and I shiver when his fingers start tracing my thigh with torturous gentleness. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as his lips climb from my ear to my jaw.

“I’m gonna kiss you,” he whispers against my skin.

Deep down, I know this is wrong. Jeremy just broke up with Sabrina, and even if he looks fine, I’m not sure he really is. But even knowing it’s a mistake—I don’t stop him.

He’s right here, in front of me—the thing I’ve dreamed about all my life.

“Do it,” I whisper.

And then his lips crash against mine.

His tongue doesn’t waste a second before sliding into my mouth, tasting me completely. The kiss is rough, hungry, desperate—like he’s been craving me for years.

Kissing him feels like heaven, and I can feel desire burning hot in my veins. My hips move against his, searching for friction. His hand tightens in my hair, angling my face as he devours my mouth in a filthy, lust-drunk kiss.

His hands grab my thigh, pulling me flush against him, and I don’t give a damn who’s watching.

I’ve waited for this moment for years, and I’m not stopping now.

Our mouths are a mess of lips, tongues, and teeth, each of us trying to win a battle neither of us wants to end. He bites, I bite back. His tongue teases just right, making me mirror his every move.

His hands slide down to my ass, pulling me harder against him, and I grind in return—both of us chasing that friction that sends goosebumps exploding all over my skin.

“Jeremy,” I moan against his mouth, barely able to breathe because he won’t stop kissing me.

“Let’s go,” he growls, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth.

“Where?”

“My place... no one will see us.”

I pull back just enough to look at him.

His eyes are completely blown with desire.

And then I say the words that will probably damn me: “Fine. Let’s go.”