Thirteen
“These sheets are soaked,” Aubrey complained as she sat up, her bare back chilly and damp.
“You’re welcome.” Vic was lying on top of his bedding next to her, wearing nothing but a smug and wholly sexy smirk. Her eyes lingered on the valleys and grooves of his abs and pectoral muscles. The broad shoulders. The penis that was no less impressive at half-mast and resting on one thigh. She’d always loved the shape of him. Even the hair under his arms and on his chest and legs turned her on.
“Soaked from the shower water.” She threw a pillow at him.
He pulled the pillow away from his stupidly handsome face to reveal he was grinning, too. How could either of them do anything short of grinning like fools after what they’d done? First off, it was fun. Secondly, it was damn fun.
“What were we thinking, not drying off first?”
He looped an arm around her waist and tugged. She yelped as she landed ungracefully on top of him. Once there, she decided to stay, her nude body stuck to his. This was easily the most confusing time of her life, and yet she had no problem finding an immense amount of joy.
“We’ve perfected sex,” she told him.
His grin broadened. “You think so?”
“I think so. Don’t you?”
“I know so. Everyone else in the world believes they’re having amazing sex. They have no idea we’re the ones having the best sex possible.”
She kissed him lightly. “Poor souls.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t,” he whispered against her mouth. Something about his smile reminded her of the tender way they’d fallen for each other when they were teenagers. Vic Grandin was, like his name, grand. He’d walked around their high school like he’d owned the place. And when her mother overheard her saying so, Mary Collins had concluded, “He probably does. Do you know who his father is?”
Aubrey had been accepted by the Grandins from the moment Vic introduced her to his family. Layla and Chelsea and even protective, younger Morgan had liked her instantly. Aubrey’s parents were more involved with their daughter’s dating life than Vic’s were with his. He seemed to have no curfews and was able to do what he wanted when he wanted. Which reminded her...
“I should tell my parents I’m not coming home before it gets any later.” She leaned off the bed and made a fruitless swipe for her dress. Her cell phone should be in the pocket. She was unsurprised to feel Vic’s hands palm her butt while she reached.
“You have the best ass,” came his compliment.
“You say that like you’re not tired of seeing it yet.” Got it! Her hand around the dress, she pulled it into her lap. Vic was lying on his belly, head propped on one fist. She gave his bare butt a light slap. “I like yours, too. Now be quiet so I can tell my parents I’ve decided to stay.”
She pressed a button and commanded, “Call Mom.” It rang once, twice, then three times, and she gave up. “They must be at dinner. I’ll send a text instead.” She kept it simple, typing, Staying with Vic tonight. He’ll bring me home in the morning. Good night.
She wrinkled her nose when she tossed her phone onto the bed.
“What is it?” Vic asked.
She folded her legs beneath her. “Why do I feel as if I’m doing something I shouldn’t?”
“Because for years you were.” He kissed her knee. “You were lying about staying at your friends’ houses and I was sneaking you into my room at night.”
“It’s hard to sneak into a private entrance. Besides, Victor Jr. and Bethany let you do whatever you wanted. I was jealous. My parents are like a pair of hawks. Take this situation, for example. I’m living with them.” Which honestly hadn’t been that bad, but she was tired of rotating the same fifteen articles of clothing. She didn’t care what people who favored a capsule wardrobe said, she needed more options. She had a closet full of clothes at home she’d like to utilize. “Maybe you could run me by my apartment before you drop me off in the morning.”
“Why?”
“I need a fresh outfit for dinner tomorrow night. I’m tired of wearing the same clothes.” She finger-combed her damp hair. “My friends from school invited me to a Tex-Mex taco bar for margaritas. It was Primrose’s idea.”
Boy, had Aubrey been relieved to know exactly who Primrose was when she’d called. And when the older blonde mentioned that Elise, Hailee, Brooke and Brandie would be joining them, Aubrey had been further relieved to remember each of her coworkers with stark clarity. She called up a mental picture of them easily and remembered what classes they taught without having to think about it.
“How are you getting there? Is your mom going?”
“No. I do not need a chaperone.”
“What about a driver? I’ll take you. I’ll sit at the bar and mind my own business.”
“Actually, Prim mentioned that Brandie was bringing her new boyfriend, and Brooke was bringing her husband, Kal, so maybe you will have a few dudes to hang out with. If you’re sure you’re not going to be put out driving me there and back.”