And just like that, my giggles stop. I duck my head and stare at the floor like a scolded child.
“Okay,” comes my small voice.
As he leaves to get the water, I glance around the room. I’ve been here so many times, I know the layout of this house by heart. I can almost count the number of steps it will take for him to reach the kitchen from here. I know the fridge is on the other side of the wall that the couch is pushed up against. I know Mindy’s old room is upstairs to the right; the bathroom is directly across from the staircase; and Rob’s room is on the left. His is the only room I’ve never been to.
But this house is in great shape. The walls are eggshell white, and he hasn’t let the paint crack or chip anywhere. I look around critically. Hmm, the rooms in his house could use some spots of color, come to think of it. A painting or a print or two would add some life to the monochrome. As it is now, his house feels a bit … empty. I wonder if he ever gets lonely living here by himself.
When Rob comes out of the kitchen, the top buttons of his uniform are undone, revealing the white t-shirt he wears underneath. Ice cubes clink against the glass as he sets it on the coffee table in front of me. I take a long sip as the gorgeous man takes a seat across from me, and the cool water slides down my throat and settles pleasantly in my stomach.
“Thanks,” I say. I lick a drop of water from the corner of my mouth and is it my imagination, but does his gaze fixate on my tongue for just a moment? Part of me says I’m just imagining things, but there’s a subtle flare in his chestnut eyes too. Then, I shake myself. I must still be tipsy. God, I’m pathetic.
Meanwhile, Rob turns to me, rests his elbows on his knees, and fixes me with a stern look. “Neither of us want to have this conversation right now, Pepper, but what you did was so incredibly dangerous that I’m not even sure where to begin.”
“I know,” I say in a small voice, hugging myself tight. My throat tightens a bit painfully. “Do your worst, Mr. Trainor. I know I deserve it.”
“Right.” He clears his throat and starts again. He lectures me on the importance of drinking responsibly, the same speech he gives to the students at Prescott High during that one assembly. I remember sitting in on one of those lessons with Mindy four years ago, and it’s the same as last time. I’m not listening to his words; I’m just watching the gorgeous man.
I know I should soaking in the hazards of drunk driving, but all I can think about is how soft his lips must be. His thick brown hair waves back from that high forehead, and I’d love to run my fingers through it. I let my gaze travel down to the crotch of his pants, where I see a faint imprint of his cock. It’s huge and curves to the left, making me grow moist in my secret space.
Stop Pepper, the voice in my head warns. You’re supposed to be a responsible adult, and instead, you took an ambulance for a joyride. Now you’re getting a lecture, but all you’re thinking about is sex?
“Pepper,” his deep voice growls. I jolt to awareness, unconsciously licking my lips again. And this time, from the flare in Rob’s eyes, I know we won’t be playing it safe anymore.
5
Pepper
* * *
“Pepper, are you feeling alright?” Rob asks. “Your face is red.”
“Oh, is it? Um yeah, I’m a little hot,” I stammer. A look of concern crosses the older man’s face, and he gets up to sit beside me before pressing the back of his hand to my forehead. But then the alcohol strikes. Or at least, that’s what I tell myself because I can’t resist anymore. Rob’s so close, and I’ve wanted him for so long that before I know it, I lean forward and press my lips against his.
He pulls back, and my heart drops like a rock. Oh no, I’m about to be rejected. Not only that, but it’s going to be incredibly embarrassing because this is my best friend’s dad. I’ve completely misread the situation, and wish I could shrivel up and disappear.
But to my surprise, Rob merely pulls back for a second to look into my needy eyes. Then the alpha male takes control. One big hand closes around the nape of my neck, pulling me to him, and his lips seize mine, demanding submission.
I moan throatily, giving him my all. My heart thunders against my ribcage as he pulls me close, and then I moan and spread my legs beneath him. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up. I want to die happy right here while kissing Rob Trainor.