I motion to Ember, and he offers her his best I'm-too-sexy-to-be-real grin. She shivers beside me, letting her grip tighten on my arm. I don't like that. I don't want Ember eye-fucking him right now.
"Here," he says, handing me my cup first. Then he fills up another and hands it to Ember.
She takes it while twirling her hair like a little girl with a crush. I tug free from her as she drools, but Kade either doesn't notice or doesn't care. Thankfully. Crap. I shouldn't be thankful.
"Feel like introductions?" Kade asks, sidling up next to me.
I sigh out heavily. "Yeah, sure. Ember, this is Kade. Kade, Ember."
He chuckles beside me and places his hand on the small of my back. "I've already met Ember when she came in to find you. I was asking if you wanted me to introduce you to everyone. Let you get a feel for the crowd."
Ember is almost forgotten as I stare into the endless pools of blue that suddenly carry such a meaningful depth instead of a guise of shallowness. "Not right now. I think I'll stick to nursing a beer and observing."
I glance over to see Ember has moved on to a preppy polo-shirt-wearing guy. My eyes return to Kade and his tight black T-shirt and dark denim jeans. He looks too good.
A guy has fortunately started talking to him, keeping him distracted as I shamelessly ogle him for the first real time. He doesn't look like a business-suit in training; he looks like forbidden fruit I desperately want to taste.
"You good?" Kade asks, acting as if he's about to leave me stranded.
"Um... yeah. Go have fun."
"Business," he says, offering me a wink. "You go have fun. It'll be loud, so call me if you need me for anything. My number is programmed in your phone."
The speck of silver in his mouth intrigues me again, but I dare not stare at those perfect lips too long. I can only see a glimpse of the secretive thing when his mouth opens, so it has to be a piercing. Gah, I wish I hadn't thought about it.
He gives me a quick wave before walking away. I don't have my phone. I was so busy gawking at him that the words never left my mouth. I hope I don't need him for anything.
I turn around, seeing Ember still giggling in that guy's arms. Whew. At least it's not Kade she's wrapped around.
I groan inwardly. I can't keep doing that. Kade is... my roommate? My friend? I don't know, but I can't be interested in him. He's an elite and I'm the girl from the trailer park.
I do well to hide in the back, possibly seeming like the creepy girl just watching everyone. After observing everyone dance and drink for thirty minutes, I start to relax. No one at all has said anything rude to me whatsoever.
"Raya, right?" a guy asks, proving I'm not hiding as well as I thought.
"Yes." I force a smile and turn to meet him, drawing in a deep breath to prepare for whatever he might say.
"I'm Brock." He proffers his hand, and I place mine in his for the shake, though I admit I'm wary.
He grins, giving me a shot of his dimples as he props against the wall beside me. He's dressed in a pair of designer jeans, a blue T-shirt, and a sexy gaze. Considering I don't know if he's one of the many who ridiculed me, I don't exactly swoon.
"Nice to meet you," I murmur as sincerely as I can muster, while returning my eyes to the party.
"It's Get Wet time!" a girl's shrill voice announces as the music dies down. "Same rules as always. When you hear the song, grab someone to lock up with until it stops. All ladies without a partner, prepare to be tossed in the pool!"
My stomach tilts to the point I'm worried I'll get sick. She can't be serious. Surely no one would actually throw me in the pool. Shit. Kade has thrown me in the pool before.
"I think I might hang out over here with you," Brock says, grinning as the girl speaks with the DJ behind the traveling booth.
I swallow hard as she continues. "Tonight, the Get Wet song is Good Man!" The DJ plays a sample, and everyone roars in cheers, getting excited. Then the song changes, and the girl hops down, beaming from the mischief she just delivered.
I don't feel like partying anymore. Now I just want to go crawl in a closet and hide. The girl who was announcing the bomb-drop sidles up next to Brock, rocking back on her heels as hearts form in her eyes.
Warm hands wrap around my waist seconds before the Get Wet song kicks in. I'm whirled around and pushed into the corner, gasping for air. My eyes lock with Kade's and he grins as he brings his lips within centimeters from mine, keeping one arm pressed against the wall, blocking our faces somewhat.
"What... w-what are you doing?" I hoarsely release, swallowing hard thereafter.
"Making people think we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. Otherwise, you'll get tossed in the pool. Considering you're wearing white, and you don't have... much on back here," his hand trails over my rear, making me tremble as he slides his hand back up to my back and tugs me closer, "you might not need to get caught."